Why is it so noisy walking around in old houses?

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Not all, but most old houses I’ve been in required me to practically tiptoe all the time because anything more would sound like I’m stomping, and rattle everything around. Does it have to do with the way houses used to be built?

Edit for clarification: I don’t mean creaking. I’m more referring to how walking even slightly heavily will make your steps sound loud and booming

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Anonymous 0 Comments

I will add what hasn’t been mentioned. Any squeaking noises (as opposed to creaking) will most likely be the result of the nails rubbing in the wood; if the builders did not use either or both glue, and ring shank nails in the floor system. The use of both glue AND ring shank nails will almost certainly guarantee no squeaking for the life of the home.

Some squeaking will always be present in floor systems built without ring shank nails and without glue, as over time the sheets will begin to bounce a little when weight is applied and relieved, causing the nails holding the sheets to the joist below to rub. The rubbing of the nails within the wood causes the squeak.

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