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Author Topic: flooring standard  (Read 15206 times)

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simba_ali

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flooring standard
« on: September 13, 2017, 10:41:10 pm »
I have recently purchased a new build shared ownership property. Overall the snagging issues seem to be limited (so far!) but I do have one issue that I'm not sure is acceptable or not.

The squeaks and cracking sounds coming from some of the floors. I have reported a big squeak in one of the bedrooms with the builder who is coming in a few weeks to put more screws in the floorboard (this one is really bad)

My main question is what kind of standard can I expect from new build floors?
I don't want to be overly critical noticing every little creak and report them if there is minimal chance they will do anything, plus there is the issue of carpets which are fully fitted and a pain to take up.
Are a couple of low squeaks to be expected and lived with?
How likely are they to get worse? Also the the level of noise you hear in the rooms underneath seems to be worse than previous houses I've lived in (1980s). Is this common in houses being built 2016/2017?


Kind Regards


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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2017, 10:50:02 am »
The problem you describe is quite common and one which housebuilders do rectify.
No you should have to put up with noisy floors and yes it could quite possibly get worse, often after your 2 year warranty period has expired!

So please complain to your housebuilder who is who?

It may be a lot more serious than just screwing down the floor with more screws. often the ceiling below needs to be taken down. Despite the problem being well known with most volume housebuilders, it appears none of them are prepared to take the effort to make sure the issue is eliminated during construction.
Check out this post reply and read the link in this post for the research on what causes this.

Check your floors do not bounce mid span. This could indicate the joists are too far apart or are not the right design.
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simba_ali

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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2017, 11:31:51 am »
OK I will mention it to them and see what they say. Hopefully it's not that serious! The thing I have noticed with the really bad room is the squeak is over an area of 1. 5m x 2 m. Surely if it was a loose nail it would be restricted to one small area?

Also I have creaky winding stairs which only recently started happening. I'm waiting for the excuse of carpet gripper but I had no labels warning of not pinning on the stairs.  Cant access underneath either without pulling plasterboard off so not much they could do I guess?

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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2017, 08:12:02 am »
Your staircase kite winders have detached and if not addressed the stairs will eventually fall apart.
You are right, the housebuilder will always blame the buyer's carpet fitters first.  But if the kite winders were glued and screwed as they should have been, then a few small tacks would not have damaged them.  If this means taking off the plasterboard underneath, then they will have to do that.

If the area of your floor in question is that large (especially if it is in the middle of the room) then the joist are either undersize or spaced too far apart. It won't be a squeaky nail, as the floor boards should have been glued and screwed down.

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simba_ali

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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2017, 06:28:00 pm »
If you are correct and the joist are spaced far apart or undersized, how would this be corrected? And what eventually would happen if they didn't do anything?

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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2017, 06:10:26 am »
A polite thank you would have been appreciated!

Re your joists, the floor and ceiling would need to be removed and new stronger or more joists fitted.
You would have to move out for at least two to three months whilst the work is done.
If it's not done, you won't be able to sell your home as any decent surveyor would pick it up.
Worse case, your bed is in your lounge!
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simba_ali

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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2017, 07:52:00 am »
Sorry if I came across as rude, I do appreciate your advice thank you  :)

I measured the exact area where the floor seems to creak upstairs and it's smaller than I originally stated, it's 0.7 m by 2 m. It you imagine it as a long thin strip. When the builders came to inspect it they seemed convinced it was the floorboards.
If I ask them about the joist are they likely to tell me the truth?
Or am I looking at someone independent?

Kind regards


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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2017, 09:50:22 am »
"Are they likely to tell me the truth?"
Hell no!  They NEVER do.
 
The housebuilder and/or their contractor will come up with every excuse and explanation to convince you they need to do nothing.

Wait and see if they act, if not make a claim under your new home warranty.
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simba_ali

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Re: flooring standard
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2017, 10:13:39 am »
I kinda guessed that would be the answer  ;D
 
Even though I would rather not mention who the builder is as they are a small local firm (it's not a big development like Taylor-Wimpey) so far they have seemed to offer an OK service. I reported the issue on a Friday, they organised an inspection 3 days later, admitted the creak wasn't normal and offered to pin all the boards in the room even though it's only one area. Let's hope they continue being this helpful and honest!

I must admit I was niave buying a new build. I thought because it wasn't one of the big companies that they might show more pride in building them.

Kind Regards