creaky cabin floors

[catmandoo]

due to fuel tanks in bilges cabin floors are screwed down and unfortunately creak. How do I stop this infuriating noise especially during mid night ramble /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[fluffc]

Find some method of preventing any movement between pieces of timber - this is what causes the squeak..

eg Rescrew them

?

 

[pvb]

Take up the floor, run a generous bead of silicone sealant along the top of each bearer, place cling film or polythene on top of sealant, replace floor gently. Leave for a few hours before replacing screws.

The cling film or polythene is vital, otherwise the sealant will glue the floorboards down and you'll have one hell of a job getting them up again. (Guess how I know this!)

 

[tyga]

A tip Denny Desouter (spelling?) gave to a charter skipper I sailed with in the eighties. "Use talcum powder (or foot powder) on the edges of the cabin sole planking". It worked on his boat.

 

[William_H]

You could aslo try a bit of vegetable oil on the wood in the squeaky areas for a lubrication. olewill

 

[kspirit53]

The creaking is usually caused by the edges of adjacent bords rubbing together. I have found the only sure way of stopping the noise is to ensure there is a small gap between the boards (i.e. - not touching). This will entail lifting the boards and planing the offending edges and refitting.

Good luck!

 

[peteandthira]

We took ours up and rubbed a candle around the edges. Seems to work quite well.

Pops

 

[Goldie]

I've been on a couple of HRs with matchsticks between the boards for just this reason. Doesn't work!

 

[alistairedw]

I find that if you place your feet right on the outer edges of the boards they do not creak much.

 

[catmandoo]

yes I know the principle. Spread the load . Unfortunately I do not have size 13 's