Expert: Dave Johnson - 2/23/2008

Question
When I walk down my hallway I sometimes here a loud cracking or popping sound near the bottom plate of the wall in the hallway.  If i walk closer to the wall it gets worse and resonates throughout the entire wall.  I'm wondering if the builder did not fasten the wall well enough to the subfloor.  I was thinking about taking some long 3" trim screws and see if i cant go through the trim and down threw the 2x4 into the subfloor to tighten things up?  Any advice? The home is approx 3-4 yrs old in Colorado.

Answer
Hi Wes,
Interesting...
I think you're right in thinking there were some missing fasteners someplace.
Do what you thought and also, if you know the exact spot, you can screw up from the basement through the sub floor intro the plate.
(this assuming you have access below)
If this doesn't work...let me know...
Dave