New squeaky hardwood floors

We just had installed 7" Maison collection - provence hickory floors installed. Mannington Floors. After installation, the floors make this loud noise, in a few spots. It is really annoying. It's not the joists, it's the floor moving up and down creaking against itself. I can tell it's the floors because my heel makes it move down.

The installer is ignoring me but I still owe him 1k, so I don't feel terrible.

I cannot get to the joist easily, drywall in basement on ceiling. My question is, I see a product that wants me to drill into the floor and it comes with a screw that breaks off 1/5" below the floor surface. Does this seem like a good option, or is the powder the best, or am I on the wrong path?

Also, should I do all the boards in the area with the break away screw?

Any tips? The floor looks great, i don't want to ruin it.

 

Would not do any drilling yet. You may have to take him to court. You should not have this problem with a new floor. Floor people will be in with what to do properly.

 

Is this solid hardwood? Nailed down? The product you mention is usually used to silence the subfloor under carpeting. Is the squeak where the ends of 2 boards abut?

 

Sounds like the subfloor was not perfectly flat, and no floor leveler was used.

 

It is new hardwood. The subfloor was def not flat. He nailed the boards down every 6" or so. The boards slid together with a groove than nailed other side. The boards are squeaking near the ends where they abut.

I can.see the floor move down when I step my heel on it. Man o man, not good

 

This has lawsuit written all over it.... assuming he won't fix it.

 

Not the pro but sounds like a complete tear out and rebuild.

 

The screws are for floors long past installation and liability. I agree, it sounds like you need to pursue the contractor.

 

If the squeak spots are at the ends of boards where they abut it could be a milling problem. Per the installation instructions the nails should be 2" from the end of each board. If the ends of the boards are not down tight or one board is and the other isn't there is room for up and down movement. Also if the milling is not spot on then the tongue and groove won't be tight allowing movement when you step in the right spot. Does every joint squeak? Don't know much about the brand but according to the company web site it is engineered flooring and made in Guatemala. What does the installer have to say about it? Seems like an installation/product problem. I wouldn't do any DIY until the installer has weighed in.

 

Could be lots of reasons, but a nail down floor should not do any flexing. Also, properly racked floor where end joints do not fall withing 6-8 inches of each other should prevent flexing of any single board.

Do you recall what the subfloor was comprised of? OSB, Plywood or particle board? How thick?

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the info. I feel confident now that I have a installation issue. To answer a few questions asked, yes, it is engineered wood. Sorry for the misinformation. Also, the sub flooring is particleboard. I posted "saz floor floor" in u tube so you guys can watch and listen. Type that in u tube search as I listed and you will hear my floor! I posted to get a final verdict of the fix. Don't mind my toe nails painted, I have 3 daughter's and they went to town on me . Thanks again for all the attention.

 

You paid somebody for that! What is with the gaps at end of planks. They left it like that with all those squeaks. Lucky it is engineered floor and can be lifted up and re installed.

 

From Mannington's installation instructions:

NOTE: Do not staple or nail down Mannington engineered wood flooring over particleboard subfloors.

 

Particle board is NOT an approved subfloor material for ANY nail down flooring. It lacks proper holding power to grab the cleat/staple. I also has a tendency to "blow out" the bottom side of the flooring. I thing that your installer should have known this and recommended replacement. Again, refer to your NWFA guidelines as well as your flooring installation instructions for proper preparation of the subfloor.

 

Sounds like the installer doesn't seem all that concerned about the money you still owe him. Maybe he knows what he did....