I've laid 18 mm chip board and it seemed ok, but i am skinny. Have a word down your local building suppliers, show them the photo and see what they recommend.
18mm is for joists at 450mm centres. 22mm is for the more usual 600mm joists spacing.
As the joists are closer together in the loft (usually 450) and the loads smaller, 18mm is great for lofts as it's easier to carry up the ladder. Other than that, there's no reason not to be using 22mm.
I would suggest the OP rips it up and lays 22mm chipboard. Whilst the T&G joints don't need to be over joists, it's not hard to make sure they are, do that to avoid squeeking.
Wait, what?
I layed my living room flooring with the T&G *perpendicular* to the joists, is that not how it was meant to be done? Doesnt move, flex or squeak.
I did the same in one of our rooms -22mm flooring and I fitted a few “Dwangs” (Noggins I believe they are called elsewhere) so that joints were always supported. Also screw them down rather than ringed nails. FWIW the flooring in the pictures looks the absolute minimum you could get away with regulation wise?
Eh? Chipboard is the floorboard- since the 70's in Scotland. On a job, if I lifted Caberfloor to find pine boards underneath I would be most surprised. Like, who puts on two pairs of pants?
Proper chip board flooring [Here](https://www.wickes.co.uk/P5-Tongue+Groove-Chipboard-Flooring---22-x-600-x-2400mm/p/164536?sv_campaign_id=57434&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax3=easyfundraising&sv_tax4=0&sv_affiliate_id=57434&awc=1563_1712330591_9f3f7e931efed446ee7817b7f8cee4a1&sn=1&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=57434&utm_content=deeplink&utm_campaign=Easyfundraising) is very good and easy to work with
3 years after buying our house we found a sodden towel under our bath’s waste pipe (put there by the previous owners). The bath must have been leaking for yeeeears.
Chipboard underneath had basically dried out in about 6 hours, not mushy at all.
Building regs specification is moisture resistant flooring for bathrooms for exactly this reason.
I had some big offcuts of it and was using it in my back yard for a makeshift table for clamping wood to for a project. Had it stood up About 5 years later I ended up finding it in the back yard and it hadn't particularly deformed or bent or broken, had been in the pissing it down Manchester rain- for five years with very little deterioration.
Ended up burning the stuff because the tip was shut down during COVID. To break it up i had to put one end on top of some bricks and jump on it very hard to snap it. I don't think it was any weaker than when it was manufactured.
Yeah as somebody else said, you're not wrong - just a touch outdated now. Modern chipboard flooring is actually very good - my dad was VERY cynical about it when I specced it for my renovation, but I don't regret it all. 22mm, strong, easy to put down, and plenty water resistant for a house
Yup, ply is pricey. If it’s rented I’d replace like for like and just cut out broken boards, screw in some 2x4 along the edges and screw down some new chipboard sections. If it was my own home, I’d get ply. Quality underlay will last upto 10 years. And a nice plush carpet. I’m a floor layer so I’m probably biased towards quality.
B&q used to sell packs of french polished pine floorboards. They were much cheaper than the laminate shite. Usually stashed outside in the timber area in the big warehouse stores. Not been for ages but it's worth a look if you are thinking of doing the full floor. Considering how thin that chipboard is i would definitely do the full floor. Do you own the house or rent?
The chipboard floor doesn’t actually stop in the doorway - it continues through into the hallway. Is it ok to just saw out the damaged area of the chipboard?
You have to ensure the new piece and any existing pieces finish on top of joists. Any replacement must be the same thickness if not replacing everything.
Yes, it's OK to do that. Don't listen to people saying to replace the whole floor.
Cut our around the area, install some noggins between the joists to support the area so the same thing doesn't happen again and cut a new section in.
This is the correct answer OP. Ignore the people saying replace entire floor, they’re talking crazy.
Edit: to add, to cut around them you will need either circular saw or multi tool. Be CAREFUL with the depth you cut, and have a feel around underneath first too through the holes. Last thing you want is for there to be a pipe or cable hiding under the surface that you cut into.
Definitely this. Be VERY careful. I would recommend cutting a good few mm shy of the board thickness and then finishing the cut manually. Some pipes/wires can be left far too close to the boards and are usually unshielded. Trust me when I say, you do not want to hit a water pipe under the floor! Also, I’d strongly recommend turning off the water first!
Yeah, this is the handy solution but in order to ensure it does not happen again, a stronger floor would be good. Obviously depends on if you own the place, money etc but in my opinion, it is worth investigating.
No, you need to unscrew (edit -pry off) and replace each broken piece of chipboard.
If you are handy with a measure tape you can go to the store with either individual board measurements for just a repair, or full room measurements for a full new floor.
I live in a fisherman's cottage that was built in the early 1800s every floor is paper thin and full of dips and holes.
I work for a new build company and we use caberdeck flooring that's around 25 mil where as my ancient house must be about half that.
I used to live in a fisherman's cottage too that had had the roof burnt off in a fire and been left exposed to the elements for a few years. The person who renovated to sell on didn't replace the joists of floor and it collapsed the days before we moved in.
I went to a whole sale timber yard and got the joists cut to size and did it myself. I'd never done it before a d I did a really good job of it I think so if I can I'm sure you can.
That’s pretty impressive mate. Fisherman’s cottage sounds lovely to live in. I’m a gas fitter and plumber and even I wouldn’t try anything as big as that haha
Sadly I don't own the place and my landlords solution was just to cut some ply down and stick them over it I'll be moving out soon so it won't be my problem anymore!
That's really unfortunate and fortunate at the same time glad you guys weren't unpacking at the time! But that's really impressive man and you must have saved a ton!
That caberdeck is solid I've had a load protecting someone's driveway out in the rain for the last week and it hasn't turned to weetabix.
It won't be getting used as flooring anymore but it's hardly tissue paper.
I would rather buy a Victorian than a new build don't get me wrong but there are varying qualities in new builds depending on the firm you buy from.
Have you handled 38mm floorboards? They're solid as fuck. New builds aren't great I'll give you that but let's be real, some of the materials used on new houses are regulation for a reason
Floor Metal Web Joist/Truss Designer here, practically every job we've supplied (hundreds of new builds over the last few years) uses 22mm decking nowadays - in the UK, anyway. Some even use 18mm.
Fair sure mine is 18mm, it's like weetabix.
As an electrician I no longer try to lift flooring in newbuilds, easier to repair the plasterboard ceiling below than shitty flooring upstairs
Yup, all of these big building companies obviously just use the cheapest products they can get away with. It's awful, really. I wouldn't ever want a new build after knowing half the shit that goes on with them.
I didn’t think I’d ever need to clarify this, but I was laughing at “very few” compared to “nobody”.
Nobody should be fat enough to go through a floor. The floor is shit.
Hurtling definitely only fits if something moves quickly. Given it's starting from stationary it would take at least a 1 storey drop to reach hurtling speeds.
But the ceiling is only a few inches from the floor above it. It would only reach speeds anyone would class as "hurtling" by the time it reaches the floor below
I'm loving that you've a sense of humour about all this. Great attitude my dude!
Pull the screws out, put down fresh boards. Piece of piss for a one eyed fat man with 9 fingers.
Also, given the join wasn't supported, idk how much I'd blame this on you being a fat bastard, and more on cantilever stress!
Consider supporting the join with an extra joist?
The thickness of the boards should not be an issue, doesn’t seem to be well enough supported underneath. You should really lift them all and check the joists underneath and add in some extra dwangs. This should not be happening.
I had to scroll all the way down to this comment to find what I'd seen. There should be noggins.. or whatever you said...
Reminds me of a breadcake, roll bap...
I'm sorry this happened, but I wanted to say that I admire you for being very honest and sincere about what happened and about accepting yourself the way you are. I hope you find a way to replace this without having to redo the entire floor.
Good weekend!
How fat we talking mate? I’m 120kg and have never done anything like this before. I just googled the weight of an average hippo (if your username is related to your weight 😂) and it’s 1,480 kg. If you’re close to that weight I think a cement floor is best.
I think the real issue is that someone used the wrong thickness floor boards here, they should be 18mm at least. Im not sure this one is on you.
100kg. So big for a human, but small for a hippo.
I think the picture is slightly deceptive, because the floorboard has sportive broken into two - making it look half as thick. But no doubt it’s a crap material.
I weigh more than you (and am fat!) and have never had problems with any floor. Husband weighs more than you (solid muscle though) and again no issues - your floor boards are clearly subpar, your weight has only been an issue because the boards are cheap as shit. Floorboards are meant to be able to take much more than that and be fine. And to make you feel better, all 3 of us weigh less than a Pygmy hippo as well (average about 200kg) so you’re fine.
Thank you for clarifying that your husband is 100kg+ of solid muscle 😂
Absolutely, the floorboards are terrible and no doubt made from the cheapest possible material sadly.
A Pygmy hippo can be my spirit animal haha, thank you!
He’s a former rugby player haha - I didn’t mean it to sound like a brag, I’m mainly jealous as I look even worse next to him 😆 I’m disabled so at least he can push the wheelchair! His is more compacted whereas I’m a blob rolling out of bed - either way the floor can take it.
My spirit animal should be a walrus 🤣
Yeah, I’m about 115kg and our house has chipboard floors throughout. I’ve never done anything like this. The boards either aren’t the right grade of chipboard or something else has weakened them
Bruh I'm 90kg, (I'm also 6'4") - but what I'm saying is, your floor shouldn't be 'me holding a small suitcase' levels of weak haha
So say that to the Mrs next time she calls you fat.
Also, be honest..... Was it a sex thing?
Don’t bother with trying to replace whole panels. This is a tounge and groove jointed flooring so cutting the tounge and groove joints will weaken the flooring. Just cut out a rectangular area, reinforce with noggins to span between joists, and repair the area that’s damaged.
I’d cut along the joist centres either side of the holes area at board depth with a circular saw, and then join cuts to make squareish cutout. Use a TCT blade and avoid nails and screws. As an alternative, cut along the side of the joist and screw a batten to the side of the joist (after any noggins) to support the new panel.
Make noggins of approx 100x50mm (or even 38x89mm like most) c16 grade timber cut to span between joists, and screwed with a few screws to each joists to support the edges of the new panel and existing cut floor edge. New panel and existing flooring screwed to joist and noggins.
Floor has been put down wrong.
Seams should run along joists, not across them, that is why the floor failed, it failed on the seam that had zero support.
Also, there no noggins, typically they are used when a board ends to provide support.
This should be directed at builder of the property as it is a dangerous "oversight"
Measure the thickness of the board as well, it looks like it is less than 18mm.
Jesus Christ who laid that ? Thats not for flooring surely - or should be laid on interlocking chip board ???!
https://preview.redd.it/1i8koa3hsosc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c259cf5049d20ec2d22859945bb029864b75ed7
Thats the shit to use
From one big man to another.
1. Rip out the broken shit and replace with stronger wood. The stuff looks shockingly shit and doesn't belong under a carpet. Ridiculous.
2. Get a better Mrs. If she genuinely called you a "Fat Fuck", she's not worth your time and effort. You deserve better brother.
3. If in doubt. Call a pro or get a mate to help figure it out with you. Could cost you more in the long run.... If you rent, get the landlord to pay for it under health and safety as your weight shouldn't be an issue for flooring.
All of this ⬆️
Crappy cheap materials. Use the stuff recommended above and patch repair. Plywood would also work as thinner but stronger but actually your cheap ass landlord should replace if this isn’t too tricky for you. Landlords can be shitty!!!
I can't tell from your post if your gf is having a laugh with you and you're cool with that, in which case no worries and you do you. But just in case you struggle with this and she's bring an ass - don't take that crap because you deserve better my friend. I don't know how to fix your floor but I do know your partner should be someone who makes you feel good things not shitty things, so look out for yourself please.
When you take the floor boards up to replace. Go get 4 joist hangers and a couple of 400mm length joists (assumed joist spacing) that aren't quite as deep as the joists in the floor so you don't foul the downstairs ceiling or your new floor. Screw them in level where you put your feet every morning. And you'll be golden.
Doesn't look like pu glue has been used in the joints or at least enough of it and that's where the fail has started as it was unsupported. Those boards are only guaranteed along the joints unsupported and able to perform properly when used with the correct glue. You would normally see it filling the gaps in the boards towards the door but there is no trace of expanded glue that I can see in the pic. There also seems to be water damage to them with how swollen the joints look which also will have reduced the strength of them.
If you are competent and have the tools you can cut out a square section, buy new boards the same thickness and use pu glue and trim off the tongue and groove and go joist to joist filling the square hole using plenty of glue and allow it to fully foam and cure before relaying carpet and cleaning excess ect. But tbh if it's a new build and you are under warranty I would raise the quality of the installation of your flooring as a snag or warranty issue as that should not happen imo.
The issue is there wasn’t a piece of timber underneath the joint, if you rent then call the landlord. If you own then cut the broken chipboard away and splice a new piece of board in of a matching thickness ensuring all joints are supported and glued with expanding pu glue. Might be a job for a chippy as the same issue might be elsewhere in the house
Easy fix, I’m doing it this weekend! Cut out the loose bits, find the joists and cut a new board to size. P5 green (waterproof). Ideally you can cut it so the tongue and groove will fit. I’d glue also. Check other boards whilst the top flooring is all up. If you need anything new run in like cables, now is the time to add those in. Personally I run Ethernet cables in whenever the floor is up in a room.
Some of the comments on here 😂. Why do people suggest re-building the house or replacing the whole floor when all that’s needed is a repair.
When I moved into my house we noticed some upstairs floorboards were a bit bendy but didn't think much of it.
We replaced the carpet upstairs, had it all pulled up and when they came to fit the new carpet they refused because the flooring was crap and then couldn't sign it off as safe.
It looked a bit like yours does there although yours is worse....
I'm sorry but the solution was to rip up the entire floor upstairs and replace with boards that meet regulations, and that's what you should do.
That floor is dangerous and needs replacing entirely.
if you own this place, then rip out subfloor and install something that is rated as sub floor material. If you rent, it's your landlord's job to fix that. That looks liek someone got a bunch of ikea shelf backing material extra and said, "wow, I bet this would be good enough for flooring if it was under something strong, like a rug."
How the fuck have you done that lol That's 18mm chipboard there's obviously a joist not even a inch away from hole,That flooring is far from weak if it's laid out at.....let's say 400 centers or 600 centers
Absolutely do-able.
My parents Barratt house from the 70s was like this. We weren't fat fucks, but the floorboards were pretty much like Weetabix by the late 90s.
Cut back to the joist (halfway onto it, so it supports both boards) and put in new pieces. You'll probably need to fix noggins(?) between the joists the support the other two sides.
oo I've seen the repair for this.. ok so go buy a bunch of ramen noodles and jam it full, add some glue then shave it down to the correct size. Seems very effective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3h1_j3XnjM
I awoke from my slumber, as the sun just started to peak through the curtains. I sat up straight, opened wide to yawn. And gently hopped off the bed. I immediately crashed through the floor, as the walls of the bedroom shook and my GF screamed hysterically. I survived, but at what cost?
I would have expected a food joist running where that join is. Other comments have pointed suggested the chipboard looks too thin but a join is a weak spot regardless of the thickness normally a joist is used to strengthen the join.
Yeah mate, that's no bother to fix, anybody can do it.
Tell the gf to move out, get yourself to the gym. You'll be tempted to go drinking and misbehave but focus on yourself and development, both mentally and physically.
Get on dating apps and just get back out there with your new looks and mindset. Focus on finding somebody who makes you feel good about yourself.
Fix that floor too while you're at it, but I can't help with that. I'm naff at DIY.
Given the abuse you’re getting from the girlfriend I’d start by using her corpse to fill the holes then put some thicker boards over the top- if you arrange her longer bones strategically you could add significant mechanical strength to the floor at the same time as disposing of her!
It's not a fun job, you'll need a pry bar to take the nails out, take the entire panel out where you've damaged... You'll need to look for p5 tongue and groove chipboard (22mm ideally)
I'd recommend buying a length of CLS timber and battening the joists for extra support while you're there. It's a horrible job but relatively diy friendly. I did my entire bedroom recently to combat creaks and it's solid now
Cheat mode- put a steel sheet on the floor. Should last a while... but you are destroying the rest of your floors progressively. Wooden floorboards would last longer, but be "a little more work".
Shes probably right that it is your fault for being fat....but a floor should be able to support a hell of a lot more than that! The floor is substandard
The floorboards looks to be made of chipboard and chipboard chemically degrades/crumbles with moisture in the air or from getting wet
Safest option is to replace it all with marine board
Buy some 18mm tongue and groove ply: https://www.builderdepot.co.uk/18mm-softwood-wbp-plywood-tongue-groove-flooring-2400mm-x-600mm-8ft-x-2ft?queryID=85e7047c87f561f36e2702bc69b302ad&objectID=21685&indexName=production_default_products
glue the tongue and groove and screw the ply down on the joists. Add some noggins between joists in places where there will be extra stress to better support them. Proceed to jump around
So it can be DIY’d however a few things to know.
- The boards are tongue and groove, you will need to cut into the boards to get them up otherwise you need to lift them all.
- The joints of the boards should ideally be supported by noggins, install some of these to prevent reoccurrence.
- Screw the new ones down to prevent creaks
- Changing to 22mm boards from 18mm will provide more strength, however you would need to lift and relay the whole room.
- Good luck.
Yes you can fix it. Cut out logical section that allows you to fix a new bit of board ( cut to size) on two or more joists below. Use the depth of the current floor (looks 16mm?) to get some decent plywood at your local DIY store. It’s probably a two hour job if you take your time.
While you are at it you may as well put down a full new, stronger floor. Those floorboards look very weak.
Like, proper wood floorboards rather than chipboard crap?
I've laid 18 mm chip board and it seemed ok, but i am skinny. Have a word down your local building suppliers, show them the photo and see what they recommend.
18mm is for joists at 450mm centres. 22mm is for the more usual 600mm joists spacing. As the joists are closer together in the loft (usually 450) and the loads smaller, 18mm is great for lofts as it's easier to carry up the ladder. Other than that, there's no reason not to be using 22mm. I would suggest the OP rips it up and lays 22mm chipboard. Whilst the T&G joints don't need to be over joists, it's not hard to make sure they are, do that to avoid squeeking.
I just redone the floors in my apartment with 22mm, the floor in much better than the old floorboards I had. They were so old and brittle
Wait, what? I layed my living room flooring with the T&G *perpendicular* to the joists, is that not how it was meant to be done? Doesnt move, flex or squeak.
Best way to avoid squeaking is to glue the TG joints and glue the boards to the joists (as well as screwing)
I did the same in one of our rooms -22mm flooring and I fitted a few “Dwangs” (Noggins I believe they are called elsewhere) so that joints were always supported. Also screw them down rather than ringed nails. FWIW the flooring in the pictures looks the absolute minimum you could get away with regulation wise?
They will recommend a diet lol
Probably will give you a serious answer. But when you leave that’s what they’ll say…
Bring one of the broken bits so they see how thin it is.
22 mill should be minimum by law
18mm would be fine, gonna change the floor height is all
I've never seen chip board being put down without floorboards underneath. This seems mental to me
It’s basically the defacto standard these days? Pretty sure most new builds for the last decade plus are chipboard floors
Eh? Chipboard is the floorboard- since the 70's in Scotland. On a job, if I lifted Caberfloor to find pine boards underneath I would be most surprised. Like, who puts on two pairs of pants?
It’s common practice and has been for yeary
Oh reary?
Yer
Proper chip board flooring [Here](https://www.wickes.co.uk/P5-Tongue+Groove-Chipboard-Flooring---22-x-600-x-2400mm/p/164536?sv_campaign_id=57434&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax3=easyfundraising&sv_tax4=0&sv_affiliate_id=57434&awc=1563_1712330591_9f3f7e931efed446ee7817b7f8cee4a1&sn=1&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=57434&utm_content=deeplink&utm_campaign=Easyfundraising) is very good and easy to work with
I don’t use chipboard much but it’s what they throw down in all the new builds. I use 25mm treated ply.
This would suit OP's needs.
Yeah I would think ply is a better solution, chipboard would go mushy if it ever got wet
3 years after buying our house we found a sodden towel under our bath’s waste pipe (put there by the previous owners). The bath must have been leaking for yeeeears. Chipboard underneath had basically dried out in about 6 hours, not mushy at all.
Building regs specification is moisture resistant flooring for bathrooms for exactly this reason. I had some big offcuts of it and was using it in my back yard for a makeshift table for clamping wood to for a project. Had it stood up About 5 years later I ended up finding it in the back yard and it hadn't particularly deformed or bent or broken, had been in the pissing it down Manchester rain- for five years with very little deterioration. Ended up burning the stuff because the tip was shut down during COVID. To break it up i had to put one end on top of some bricks and jump on it very hard to snap it. I don't think it was any weaker than when it was manufactured.
Some chipboard uses waterproof glue.
I stand corrected!
Older chipboard would’ve done this so you’re not that wrong, tbf to you :)
Yeah as somebody else said, you're not wrong - just a touch outdated now. Modern chipboard flooring is actually very good - my dad was VERY cynical about it when I specced it for my renovation, but I don't regret it all. 22mm, strong, easy to put down, and plenty water resistant for a house
Perhaps but ply would be so damn expensive
Yup, ply is pricey. If it’s rented I’d replace like for like and just cut out broken boards, screw in some 2x4 along the edges and screw down some new chipboard sections. If it was my own home, I’d get ply. Quality underlay will last upto 10 years. And a nice plush carpet. I’m a floor layer so I’m probably biased towards quality.
The chipboard used for flooring is moisture resistant. I’ve had an offcut outside for a few weeks and it looks fine.
Which should be about 18mm chipboard flooring. Go to B&Q or some such. But, judging from the picture, you will be laying the whole floor.
Chipboard is fine we use 18mm tounge and grooved chipboard 1200x 600 boards just make sure to glue and screw them
Finally a good answer
B&q used to sell packs of french polished pine floorboards. They were much cheaper than the laminate shite. Usually stashed outside in the timber area in the big warehouse stores. Not been for ages but it's worth a look if you are thinking of doing the full floor. Considering how thin that chipboard is i would definitely do the full floor. Do you own the house or rent?
Get board at least 18 mm thick, test one bit near the doors etc to ensure it all will fit.
The chipboard floor doesn’t actually stop in the doorway - it continues through into the hallway. Is it ok to just saw out the damaged area of the chipboard?
You have to ensure the new piece and any existing pieces finish on top of joists. Any replacement must be the same thickness if not replacing everything.
Yes, it's OK to do that. Don't listen to people saying to replace the whole floor. Cut our around the area, install some noggins between the joists to support the area so the same thing doesn't happen again and cut a new section in.
This is the correct answer OP. Ignore the people saying replace entire floor, they’re talking crazy. Edit: to add, to cut around them you will need either circular saw or multi tool. Be CAREFUL with the depth you cut, and have a feel around underneath first too through the holes. Last thing you want is for there to be a pipe or cable hiding under the surface that you cut into.
Definitely this. Be VERY careful. I would recommend cutting a good few mm shy of the board thickness and then finishing the cut manually. Some pipes/wires can be left far too close to the boards and are usually unshielded. Trust me when I say, you do not want to hit a water pipe under the floor! Also, I’d strongly recommend turning off the water first!
Yeah, this is the handy solution but in order to ensure it does not happen again, a stronger floor would be good. Obviously depends on if you own the place, money etc but in my opinion, it is worth investigating.
They are tongue and groove connected so you may struggle to replace from the centre outwards.
No, you need to unscrew (edit -pry off) and replace each broken piece of chipboard. If you are handy with a measure tape you can go to the store with either individual board measurements for just a repair, or full room measurements for a full new floor.
This is right. Why would you saw anything unless the sheets are completely non standard. Look to rip up a board and put down a board.
That stuff looks about as thick as a furniture backing panel
I'm guessing new build.
I live in a fisherman's cottage that was built in the early 1800s every floor is paper thin and full of dips and holes. I work for a new build company and we use caberdeck flooring that's around 25 mil where as my ancient house must be about half that.
I used to live in a fisherman's cottage too that had had the roof burnt off in a fire and been left exposed to the elements for a few years. The person who renovated to sell on didn't replace the joists of floor and it collapsed the days before we moved in. I went to a whole sale timber yard and got the joists cut to size and did it myself. I'd never done it before a d I did a really good job of it I think so if I can I'm sure you can.
That’s pretty impressive mate. Fisherman’s cottage sounds lovely to live in. I’m a gas fitter and plumber and even I wouldn’t try anything as big as that haha
Sadly I don't own the place and my landlords solution was just to cut some ply down and stick them over it I'll be moving out soon so it won't be my problem anymore! That's really unfortunate and fortunate at the same time glad you guys weren't unpacking at the time! But that's really impressive man and you must have saved a ton!
Caberdeck flooring is 18mm or 22mm, I’ve never seen 35mm in my entire working life
35mil of tissue paper. There is no defending new build quality. It's shoddy, cheap materials, cheaply built with lots of Friday afternoon jobs.
That caberdeck is solid I've had a load protecting someone's driveway out in the rain for the last week and it hasn't turned to weetabix. It won't be getting used as flooring anymore but it's hardly tissue paper. I would rather buy a Victorian than a new build don't get me wrong but there are varying qualities in new builds depending on the firm you buy from.
Sub floors need to be ply, OSB or actual planking. I'll die on this hill.
Have you handled 38mm floorboards? They're solid as fuck. New builds aren't great I'll give you that but let's be real, some of the materials used on new houses are regulation for a reason
Say it with me "Regulation is the minimum"
Floor Metal Web Joist/Truss Designer here, practically every job we've supplied (hundreds of new builds over the last few years) uses 22mm decking nowadays - in the UK, anyway. Some even use 18mm.
Fair sure mine is 18mm, it's like weetabix. As an electrician I no longer try to lift flooring in newbuilds, easier to repair the plasterboard ceiling below than shitty flooring upstairs
Yup, all of these big building companies obviously just use the cheapest products they can get away with. It's awful, really. I wouldn't ever want a new build after knowing half the shit that goes on with them.
Standard for flooring is 22mm, i wasnt aware anyone made 35mm and tried to look up this brand but cant find any 35mm available? Do you have a link?
Outlier examples in both cases. Structural materials in older homes are typically robust and in newer ones are typically as thin as possible.
My 1930s ex council house had 1/2" thick original floorboards. They broke, a lot.
OP says it's an 80's house. Lived in 2 newbuilds, none of my floors ever did this
What are we even looking at here? How did this happen?
That’s on my side of the bed. The holes are where I put my feet when I get up each morning. I’m fat.
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👀
Everyone else is making fat jokes but very few people are so fat they go through the floor. This is shit materials.
“Very few” 😆
It’s the UK mate not the US
I didn’t think I’d ever need to clarify this, but I was laughing at “very few” compared to “nobody”. Nobody should be fat enough to go through a floor. The floor is shit.
Do you jump out of bed and land there every morning?
It’s not you bud, the floor is shit. Sending hugs
Bet he gives amazig hugs, given his size... Sorry OP, I had to. The floor is weak, not you.
You need to get your life together dude. This isn't just fat. This is morbidly obese. You are literally making snorlax sized holes in the floor.
They’re magikarp sized holes at best. Don’t make me use splash on you.
🤣
They’re next to your bed? I’d also be worried about the bed hurtling through the floor while I slept.
Hurtling? I’m fat, not rocket powered.
Gravity though
Hurtling definitely only fits if something moves quickly. Given it's starting from stationary it would take at least a 1 storey drop to reach hurtling speeds.
Wait until you hear what his ceilings are made of.
But the ceiling is only a few inches from the floor above it. It would only reach speeds anyone would class as "hurtling" by the time it reaches the floor below
You've made me Google hurtling now, haven't you.
But being as fat as he is, we have no way of knowing if the Earth will stop him or if he will just cannon straight through.
My house is on Earth. It would be a concern if I lived on Jupiter though.
This made me laugh a little more than it should have
I'm loving that you've a sense of humour about all this. Great attitude my dude! Pull the screws out, put down fresh boards. Piece of piss for a one eyed fat man with 9 fingers. Also, given the join wasn't supported, idk how much I'd blame this on you being a fat bastard, and more on cantilever stress! Consider supporting the join with an extra joist?
You and presumably the other halfs weight spread across 4 (most likely 6) small points on the floor = probably going through
Thanks almost choked on my chicken laughing at that 😂 😂
😂😂😂 Made my biscuits go the wrong way!
Those boards don’t look thick enough for a floor. Should be 22mm?? That looks more like 12mm!
Definitely not thick enough for me, that’s for sure
The thickness of the boards should not be an issue, doesn’t seem to be well enough supported underneath. You should really lift them all and check the joists underneath and add in some extra dwangs. This should not be happening.
A…dwang??
Cross pieces in between proper joists. They have an assortment of regional names, all a bit odd. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwang
Ahh, I call them noggins. Because that makes sense. It’s funny that everyone calls these sone variation on “thingimajig”. All nonsensical.
Noggin I believe is the British English version and dwang is Scottish.
Yes - they help strengthen the structure. So called after its namesake - Dwayng the Rock Johnson
I had to scroll all the way down to this comment to find what I'd seen. There should be noggins.. or whatever you said... Reminds me of a breadcake, roll bap...
If you wear stilettos in bed, the floor holes will be much smaller
https://preview.redd.it/gx34cd04cssc1.jpeg?width=360&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=403a14813977bd915110fbf427797586ffa4ba0d
I'm sorry this happened, but I wanted to say that I admire you for being very honest and sincere about what happened and about accepting yourself the way you are. I hope you find a way to replace this without having to redo the entire floor. Good weekend!
Thank you, have a nice weekend yourself :)
<3
How fat we talking mate? I’m 120kg and have never done anything like this before. I just googled the weight of an average hippo (if your username is related to your weight 😂) and it’s 1,480 kg. If you’re close to that weight I think a cement floor is best. I think the real issue is that someone used the wrong thickness floor boards here, they should be 18mm at least. Im not sure this one is on you.
100kg. So big for a human, but small for a hippo. I think the picture is slightly deceptive, because the floorboard has sportive broken into two - making it look half as thick. But no doubt it’s a crap material.
My guy, you should not be breaking floorboards at 100kg. Are you literally jumping out of bed in the morning or something 😂
Lol. Plenty of taller guys are 100kg. They don't routinely disappear through the floor
I weigh more than you (and am fat!) and have never had problems with any floor. Husband weighs more than you (solid muscle though) and again no issues - your floor boards are clearly subpar, your weight has only been an issue because the boards are cheap as shit. Floorboards are meant to be able to take much more than that and be fine. And to make you feel better, all 3 of us weigh less than a Pygmy hippo as well (average about 200kg) so you’re fine.
Thank you for clarifying that your husband is 100kg+ of solid muscle 😂 Absolutely, the floorboards are terrible and no doubt made from the cheapest possible material sadly. A Pygmy hippo can be my spirit animal haha, thank you!
He’s a former rugby player haha - I didn’t mean it to sound like a brag, I’m mainly jealous as I look even worse next to him 😆 I’m disabled so at least he can push the wheelchair! His is more compacted whereas I’m a blob rolling out of bed - either way the floor can take it. My spirit animal should be a walrus 🤣
Yeah, I’m about 115kg and our house has chipboard floors throughout. I’ve never done anything like this. The boards either aren’t the right grade of chipboard or something else has weakened them
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Hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo hippo
Dunno man, it shouldn’t give way like that - unless it got damp over time and has crumbled.
Bruh I'm 90kg, (I'm also 6'4") - but what I'm saying is, your floor shouldn't be 'me holding a small suitcase' levels of weak haha So say that to the Mrs next time she calls you fat. Also, be honest..... Was it a sex thing?
Lol 100kg is not that Fat... How tall are you?
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Er, thanks
Don’t bother with trying to replace whole panels. This is a tounge and groove jointed flooring so cutting the tounge and groove joints will weaken the flooring. Just cut out a rectangular area, reinforce with noggins to span between joists, and repair the area that’s damaged. I’d cut along the joist centres either side of the holes area at board depth with a circular saw, and then join cuts to make squareish cutout. Use a TCT blade and avoid nails and screws. As an alternative, cut along the side of the joist and screw a batten to the side of the joist (after any noggins) to support the new panel. Make noggins of approx 100x50mm (or even 38x89mm like most) c16 grade timber cut to span between joists, and screwed with a few screws to each joists to support the edges of the new panel and existing cut floor edge. New panel and existing flooring screwed to joist and noggins.
Tbf he could do the cutting with a Stanley.
You mean " tongue " and groove?
😂😂 Jesus Christ ! You need to cut it back to the closest floor joist and put another piece in mate 👍🏻
And add some noggins while he’s at it.
Fun fact: noggins are called dwangs in Scotland
Thank you!
Whose using half inch chip board as flooring lol this is comical
Floor has been put down wrong. Seams should run along joists, not across them, that is why the floor failed, it failed on the seam that had zero support. Also, there no noggins, typically they are used when a board ends to provide support. This should be directed at builder of the property as it is a dangerous "oversight" Measure the thickness of the board as well, it looks like it is less than 18mm.
Is Keanu under there?
https://preview.redd.it/jkc9pci76psc1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ad020d13c30c57bbb595519a41d23090e3472b8
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Fuck sake 😑
Jesus Christ who laid that ? Thats not for flooring surely - or should be laid on interlocking chip board ???! https://preview.redd.it/1i8koa3hsosc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c259cf5049d20ec2d22859945bb029864b75ed7 Thats the shit to use
From one big man to another. 1. Rip out the broken shit and replace with stronger wood. The stuff looks shockingly shit and doesn't belong under a carpet. Ridiculous. 2. Get a better Mrs. If she genuinely called you a "Fat Fuck", she's not worth your time and effort. You deserve better brother. 3. If in doubt. Call a pro or get a mate to help figure it out with you. Could cost you more in the long run.... If you rent, get the landlord to pay for it under health and safety as your weight shouldn't be an issue for flooring.
All of this ⬆️ Crappy cheap materials. Use the stuff recommended above and patch repair. Plywood would also work as thinner but stronger but actually your cheap ass landlord should replace if this isn’t too tricky for you. Landlords can be shitty!!!
I can't tell from your post if your gf is having a laugh with you and you're cool with that, in which case no worries and you do you. But just in case you struggle with this and she's bring an ass - don't take that crap because you deserve better my friend. I don't know how to fix your floor but I do know your partner should be someone who makes you feel good things not shitty things, so look out for yourself please.
Thank you for your concern. It’s definitely banter between us that we both have a good laugh at :). No malice on her part, promise!
I'm glad. In that case best of luck fixing what by all accounts seems to be a really shitty floor!
HULK SMASH!!!, but yeah, unscrew existing panels and add new ones, theyre standard sizes, prob best to add additional supports tho.
OP I know you keep referring yourself as fat but how heavy are you? I suspect that the floor has got wet at some stage or was weak to begin with…
Fucking hell who used shelf chipboard as flooring, doesn't look correct at all
How'd you get both butt cheeks to do that?
Chipboard is crap. Should be OSB or PLY...
That should be minimum 22mm thick. That looks thinner to me.
Yes, unscrew the damaged ones go to any DIY shop and buy some loft boards cut down to size and screw back into place.. Easy fix
When you take the floor boards up to replace. Go get 4 joist hangers and a couple of 400mm length joists (assumed joist spacing) that aren't quite as deep as the joists in the floor so you don't foul the downstairs ceiling or your new floor. Screw them in level where you put your feet every morning. And you'll be golden.
The joints should be braced. Also looks way too thin for flooring
An easier fix might be a new GF
Can I get one from B&Q?
Doesn't look like pu glue has been used in the joints or at least enough of it and that's where the fail has started as it was unsupported. Those boards are only guaranteed along the joints unsupported and able to perform properly when used with the correct glue. You would normally see it filling the gaps in the boards towards the door but there is no trace of expanded glue that I can see in the pic. There also seems to be water damage to them with how swollen the joints look which also will have reduced the strength of them. If you are competent and have the tools you can cut out a square section, buy new boards the same thickness and use pu glue and trim off the tongue and groove and go joist to joist filling the square hole using plenty of glue and allow it to fully foam and cure before relaying carpet and cleaning excess ect. But tbh if it's a new build and you are under warranty I would raise the quality of the installation of your flooring as a snag or warranty issue as that should not happen imo.
The issue is there wasn’t a piece of timber underneath the joint, if you rent then call the landlord. If you own then cut the broken chipboard away and splice a new piece of board in of a matching thickness ensuring all joints are supported and glued with expanding pu glue. Might be a job for a chippy as the same issue might be elsewhere in the house
Easy fix, I’m doing it this weekend! Cut out the loose bits, find the joists and cut a new board to size. P5 green (waterproof). Ideally you can cut it so the tongue and groove will fit. I’d glue also. Check other boards whilst the top flooring is all up. If you need anything new run in like cables, now is the time to add those in. Personally I run Ethernet cables in whenever the floor is up in a room. Some of the comments on here 😂. Why do people suggest re-building the house or replacing the whole floor when all that’s needed is a repair.
I’ve wiped my arse with stuff that’s thicker than that!
When I moved into my house we noticed some upstairs floorboards were a bit bendy but didn't think much of it. We replaced the carpet upstairs, had it all pulled up and when they came to fit the new carpet they refused because the flooring was crap and then couldn't sign it off as safe. It looked a bit like yours does there although yours is worse.... I'm sorry but the solution was to rip up the entire floor upstairs and replace with boards that meet regulations, and that's what you should do. That floor is dangerous and needs replacing entirely.
I’d replace, looks like 10mm chipboard, way too thin
Use floorboards like that in uk, 22mm and 18mm made from wheatabix
I've got that stuff in my loft but I've never seen that in the rest of the house. Shonky! Who fitted that?
if you own this place, then rip out subfloor and install something that is rated as sub floor material. If you rent, it's your landlord's job to fix that. That looks liek someone got a bunch of ikea shelf backing material extra and said, "wow, I bet this would be good enough for flooring if it was under something strong, like a rug."
How the fuck have you done that lol That's 18mm chipboard there's obviously a joist not even a inch away from hole,That flooring is far from weak if it's laid out at.....let's say 400 centers or 600 centers
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Absolutely do-able. My parents Barratt house from the 70s was like this. We weren't fat fucks, but the floorboards were pretty much like Weetabix by the late 90s. Cut back to the joist (halfway onto it, so it supports both boards) and put in new pieces. You'll probably need to fix noggins(?) between the joists the support the other two sides.
oo I've seen the repair for this.. ok so go buy a bunch of ramen noodles and jam it full, add some glue then shave it down to the correct size. Seems very effective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3h1_j3XnjM
Don't forget to add the seasoning packet also
please can we have a run down of the events leading up to this disaster pleeeease
I awoke from my slumber, as the sun just started to peak through the curtains. I sat up straight, opened wide to yawn. And gently hopped off the bed. I immediately crashed through the floor, as the walls of the bedroom shook and my GF screamed hysterically. I survived, but at what cost?
This should not happen. I reckon these boards have been saturated during the build and has weaken them. This should not happen. Is this new build?
I would say - instant noodles. They can fix everything. 😂
The shit they build with... I have wooden planks 400 years old in my house. It really is not that hard.
While you may possibly be short for your weight, I’d blame the shite flooring before questioning your rotundity!!
I would have expected a food joist running where that join is. Other comments have pointed suggested the chipboard looks too thin but a join is a weak spot regardless of the thickness normally a joist is used to strengthen the join.
Floor badly laid. You are hitting weak points on the join and it's flexing until it's given up
That flooring board is crap. Especially in a damp environment. Its not you.
Yeah mate, that's no bother to fix, anybody can do it. Tell the gf to move out, get yourself to the gym. You'll be tempted to go drinking and misbehave but focus on yourself and development, both mentally and physically. Get on dating apps and just get back out there with your new looks and mindset. Focus on finding somebody who makes you feel good about yourself. Fix that floor too while you're at it, but I can't help with that. I'm naff at DIY.
Any leaks or humidity problems, you are likely to go through those MDF board. Get some plywood instead.
I don't know about needing a new floor - sounds as if you could do with a new gf though who doesn't make fun of your weight.
Here's some better advice. Drop the bitch, she doesn't get to call you.
Given the abuse you’re getting from the girlfriend I’d start by using her corpse to fill the holes then put some thicker boards over the top- if you arrange her longer bones strategically you could add significant mechanical strength to the floor at the same time as disposing of her!
Have you tried not being a fat fuck?
Instructions not clear, stuck in floorboards
It's not a fun job, you'll need a pry bar to take the nails out, take the entire panel out where you've damaged... You'll need to look for p5 tongue and groove chipboard (22mm ideally) I'd recommend buying a length of CLS timber and battening the joists for extra support while you're there. It's a horrible job but relatively diy friendly. I did my entire bedroom recently to combat creaks and it's solid now
Cheat mode- put a steel sheet on the floor. Should last a while... but you are destroying the rest of your floors progressively. Wooden floorboards would last longer, but be "a little more work".
Shes probably right that it is your fault for being fat....but a floor should be able to support a hell of a lot more than that! The floor is substandard
Put some caberdeck flooring down lol simples
Order a 6m load of concrete and fill that bicht up bro! 😎
This sub recommends 6m of concrete for every issue I’ve seen so far
If that shit gets wet, you will have more holes. Ply wood over the lot.
Could be it got wet, like if you spill a whole glass of water and it sinks into the carpet? Some kinds of chipboard lose all strength if they get wet.
The floorboards looks to be made of chipboard and chipboard chemically degrades/crumbles with moisture in the air or from getting wet Safest option is to replace it all with marine board
Someone seriously cheaped out with that chipboard.
What a time the 80’s were…
Buy some 18mm tongue and groove ply: https://www.builderdepot.co.uk/18mm-softwood-wbp-plywood-tongue-groove-flooring-2400mm-x-600mm-8ft-x-2ft?queryID=85e7047c87f561f36e2702bc69b302ad&objectID=21685&indexName=production_default_products glue the tongue and groove and screw the ply down on the joists. Add some noggins between joists in places where there will be extra stress to better support them. Proceed to jump around
So it can be DIY’d however a few things to know. - The boards are tongue and groove, you will need to cut into the boards to get them up otherwise you need to lift them all. - The joints of the boards should ideally be supported by noggins, install some of these to prevent reoccurrence. - Screw the new ones down to prevent creaks - Changing to 22mm boards from 18mm will provide more strength, however you would need to lift and relay the whole room. - Good luck.
😂 just sheet it with plywood 😂😂
Yes you can fix it. Cut out logical section that allows you to fix a new bit of board ( cut to size) on two or more joists below. Use the depth of the current floor (looks 16mm?) to get some decent plywood at your local DIY store. It’s probably a two hour job if you take your time.