We recently moved into a 14 year old house. We didn't notice before purchasing, but the floorboards creak like crazy. Not just in the odd spot, but all over the house.

Any suggestions, short of ripping all the floors up?

Ali G, February 2007

Thanks for your answer Pete, I have been told that there are two basic thicknesses of the sheets used in place of traditional flooring and that the original spec called for the thinner of the two to save costs.

Before I try your suggestion (and I will), would it make any difference if I laid an extra 1/4inch board on top?

Ali G, March 2007

A lot of the time creaking boards is where the boards are flexing on the fixing nails, usually punching the nails in a little will cure the problem, but in bad cases it's best to screw the boards down. Make sure you aren't screwing boards where pipes/wires run beneath.
To make the job easy, use drywall screws and a power driver with the clutch set so that the screws pull themselves level with the board plus about ½ a turn, anymore and you may wring the screw heads off.
With drywall screws, no need to predrill. Drive screws in close to nails,so you hit the joists.

Pete, February 2007