Any hardwood flooring experts

Looking at your link , the hydroblock doesn't seem like a bad product , but is geared toward moisture control

Is your floor over an unheated or ventilated crawlspace ?

 

I'm at a loss too. 3/4 t&g that is glued and ring shanked, with 3/4 hardwood on top. What does a 1/4 or 3/8 ply sandwiched in between accomplish?

Ask if he'll add a sheet of Ditra in there too just for shits and giggles.

 

If I was headed your way I could take a look but you are about 115 miles from me. I googled your town thinking you did not live too far away.

I do think there is something they're not telling you.

 

3/8" ply glued and screwed to the top of the subfloor could stiffen the assembly , and help limit deflection if that is the issue

 

did your subfloor get rained on when the house was being built? been doing hardwood floors for 14 years and when the subfloor gets rained on the staples for your hardwood never want to stay tight

 

screws up your baseboard...the door casing trim...door bottom air gap...exterior door thresholds...cabinet toe-kick...and probably appliance fitment...

other than that...

nothing.

 

I believe it was earlier established that the flooring was not acclimated prior to installation...and builder paper was used instead of felt, and it's most likely the causes of gaps and squeaking.

If there is an issue of undersized floor joists...incorrect joist spacing or spans...I would address it properly, and adding a layer of 3/8" plywood would not be part of that plan.

 

I would agree that it would not be my solution to an overspan situation , I was offering a possible reasoning why the builder might want to add a layer of plywood to the subfloor because whether or not we would choose that method , it is still true that another layer of plywood glued and screwed on top of the subfloor can limit deflection

I guess it comes down to accessability to the underside of the floor joists

 

Not an expert. But I'd strive for them to keep the fix simple. Likely one or two issues caused the squeaking. Fix them instead of masking the initial problem with a multitude of potential fixes...

 

This is what the builder is saying. They wantto add 3/8 to add strength I guess and somethingmore for staples to hold too. They are going to raise baseboards and trim all doors if needed.

 

sorry...but this builder is an idiot.

adding a layer of 3/8" plywood does nothing to fix the subfloor that needs to be properly fastened. I always use subflooring with a protective coat or seal it just because it almost always gets rained on before dry-in.

they may raise the baseboard...but if the home is finished painted...I can promise you they WILL NOT raise the doors and door casing, they wil cut the casing and the bottom of the doors. and you will still have reduced cabinet toe-kick, and I hope your wife doesn't want a throw rug at the exterior doors...because it may not work with the additional 3/8" plywood.

they are blowing smoke up your butt. why they don't just put the time, money and effort into properly fastening the sub floor to the joists is beyond me.

btw, what are your joist sizes? spacing? span? and what is the subfloor product? plywood? OSB?

btw #2, how much square footage are we talking about? a few rooms? the whole house?

 

all that subfloor needs to come out man if you want it done right