How do you determine movement in a timber floor?

[Mr Tiler]

when quoting or starting a job how would you determine weather or not the timber floor needs more strength? is it the cup of water and good old bounce around or is there a real method for this?

 

[Stef]

I watch very carefully as someone else walks round the floor or put my laser down & watch how much my line moves.
I ripped up a floor yesterday that had been down for 6 years but only lasted for 6 months (roughly) after being laid.
Laid on 9mm ply & no attempt to secure original floorboards to joists.
No wonder it failed.

 

[Andy Allen]

experience...:smilewinkgrin:

I tend to walk around listen for squeaky boards.....but with more experience it becomes 2nd nature..you just kind of know what you can and cant tile to..and what prep it needs..

 

[Mr Tiler]

experience...:smilewinkgrin:

I tend to walk around listen for squeaky boards.....but with more experience it becomes 2nd nature..you just kind of know what you can and cant tile to..and what prep it needs..

agreed experience is the main thing in this case. I think this is something I am more than capable of.

 

[Dan]

With deflection you'd usually a deflection calculator?

ENGINEERING.com | Beam Deflection Calculators

The Amazing John Bridge Forums Deflect-O-Lator (The John Bridge one)

 

[Peter]

A good tiler should be able to read the floor with their feet.

 

[Jonny Walker]

I find when standing still. Get a 3rd party to walk around the room. you will know how much bounce is in the floor. Remember though, tiles don't bend!!

 

[Ajax123]

It depends on what type of deflection you are trying to determine. I.e. Instantaneous deflection, live and dead load deflection, soft body or hard body impact deflection, creep or return deflection. There are standard methods for determining a floors resistance to these but from a practical on site point of view a cup of water and a good old bounce around impersonating tigger from Winnie the Pooh is as good as anything. Trouble is that is a qualitative test and not quantitative.

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A good tiler should be able to read the floor with their feet.

Braille nails...

 

[Mr Tiler]

It depends on what type of deflection you are trying to determine. I.e. Instantaneous deflection, live and dead load deflection, soft body or hard body impact deflection, creep or return deflection. There are standard methods for determining a floors resistance to these but from a practical on site point of view a cup of water and a good old bounce around impersonating tigger from Winnie the Pooh is as good as anything. Trouble is that is a qualitative test and not quantitative.

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Braille nails...

that is a lot of deflections mate! lol