Eliminating Floor Truss Squeaks
Today, we will show you how to use the proper hardware to eliminate floor truss squeaks. Specifically, which one you should use for floor trusses so you don’t get that squeak in your house. Let’s get started.
Identifying the Squeak
This custom home has a subfloor, as you see below. I’m walking around right now, just putting a little pressure on the floor. You can hear this rattling behind me.
It’s a squeak. That is an actual truss clip. It’s a Simpson Strong-Tie truss clip, and it’s meant for roof trusses, not floor trusses.
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Why Truss Clips Don't Work on Floor Trusses
Truss clips are intended to secure non-bearing interior walls to roof trusses, allowing for slight movement. These were installed on floor trusses, causing noise when the floor system moves. Floor trusses are designed to span over non-bearing walls without direct contact.
The Solution: Simpson Deflector Screws
Simpson recommends using SDPW deflector screws for floor trusses. These screws tie the wall to the truss but allow for deflection, either up or down.
Deflector screws eliminate squeaks and maintain proper movement of the floor system.
Installing Deflector Screws
- Pre-drill the Hole: Use a ⅜-inch drill bit to drill through the top plate. Stop before hitting the truss.
- Attach the Screw: Insert the deflector screw into the pre-drilled hole. It allows the truss to move without causing noise.
- Ensure Proper Fit: Use the included offset bit to position the screw correctly, leaving space for deflection.
Doing so ensures the floor system moves as designed without creating squeaks.
Testing the Fix
After replacing the truss clips with deflector screws, I tested the floor by moving around. The squeak was gone. The deflector screws solved the problem, allowing the truss to move without noise.
Avoiding Future Issues
Deflector screws are a simple solution that prevents callbacks from homeowners about squeaky floors. They save time, avoid cutting into finished floors, and ensure a higher-quality build.
Wrapping Up
Simpson deflector screws are the best solution for preventing squeaky floors when using floor trusses.
Request a project consultation if you would like more information about building a custom home or an ADU. Take a look at our comprehensive collection of similar videos on our YouTube channel, The Real Property Show.
