Squeaky floorboards

[kasama]

What is the best type and length of screws to use to tighten down chipboard flooring and is it advisable to drill the chipboard for the screw before fastening to the joists below?

[buildersmate]

No 8 x 1.5 inches countersunk. Drill a pilot 3mm hole 40mm deep then a clearance hole only the depth of the chipboard 4.5mm. Then the screw will pull down the chipboard onto the joist below.

There shouldn't be any pipes less than for at least 60mm below the surface, but it wouldn't be unknown for water pipes to have been notching in to top of the joist. Either drill very close to existing nail holes or use a pipe detector.

[jake-the-peg]

Found these new screws in Wickes the other day - possi-square I think they're called - gold coloured and come with their own bit (although they look like posi-drive)

Marvelous things used them with a big electric drill and they went in through 2x4 and then into 300 year old oak with no pre-drilling and self-countersunk into the pine - didn't jump out of the driver bit once.

I went and bought all the other sizes I needed and stopped using the other screws I had.

Go and get some you really won't regret it

[jake-the-peg]

PS for floorboards I'd advise a clearence hole with the board all the same