Any Carpenters,help me please!?
Question:Hi, Im hoping that someone can help. I live in Australia and we currently are experiencing drought conditions. About 9 months ago our 30 yr old house started creaking (floors) excessively. I originally thought that maybe because the ground was clay that it had something to do with it. Lately we have been going underneath the house to put in shims between the joists and the floor and discovered that some of the hoses on our ducted heating system were not connected and so therefor hot air was blowing directly under the house.(we bought this place a year ago) The hoses have now been reconnected but would I be right in assuming that the hot air may have shrunk the wood underneath the house. Now that the hoses are reconnected will the moisture be returned into the wood, or do we have to have the huge task now of having to fix most of the floorboards since nearly every step we take..creaks...
sorry for such a long winded story...
Answers:
in extreme drought conditions the very dry air can shrink wood causing these types of trouble,a humidifier might be your answer,when moisture returns it should straighten out,however,anything you've shimmed may hoove
Yes, the loose duct work blowing hot air would shrink the wood, and it should swell to normal size with the return of humidity. If you are currently experiencing a very dry spell, you could introduce some extra humidity. Keep a pot of potpourri simmering on the stove top, when you are home. Get a humidifier if you are away for long periods during the day. I would be willing to bet that after a couple of weeks that squeaking will go away.
In the meantime, try a little baby powder where the squeaks are particularly annoying. Just sweep it into the cracks in the floor. It will allow the wood to move with less friction, and noise.
you could try a humidifier it sounds like you have forced hot air heat. running a humidifier might help your problem but could also help with comfort. sometimes people with forced hot air heat experience dry eyes and sore throats particularly overnight. also if the problem is ur house drying out it might help that also.
When the moisture returns the wood will swell back up. A humidifier in the house will help a little, possible a steam jenny underneath just to add a little moisture, not running long just a bit, or a water mist from a hose not much just get some on the wood,
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