A couple years back I had the upstairs carpet replaced and asked the installers to screw down all the subfloor and the lazy guys didn't. They just threw a few nails in and told me it was all it needed. Didn't last 2 months before it started creaking again. I'm a really bad sleeper and the guest room above the master is basically in use 60% of the year (yay in laws!).

I want to get the carpet (in good shape) pulled up in that room, get the plywood subfloor replaced and have something like Quietboard installed under new plywood before they put the carpet back down. I assume the extra thick padding I got put in will need to be replaced as well.

Anything else y'all can suggest to cut down on the creeks and thumps I hear from heavy walkers (and a newborn that will be visiting too).

Ideal question for The Money Pit but sometimes they'll say get down to the floor joists and do-it-correctly when no EZ answers appear.

Whereas YOU were correct about screws, this still leaves out the glue/sealer between floor decking & top-o-joists = THE problem. Here's where you get some of your money back, if that was written into the contract. Get the correct non-corrosive screws from hardware after showing them photos of what's there, good pics showing the condition as well.

If not replacing the decking, then seal/prime at least the top of it to help stabilize any seasonal moisture that might contribute to not seating well to its joists. A real paint store (not big box store) knows what to sell you, given pics of what's there.

Big fan of heavy padded carpet - from an allergy family - I'm not so sure all that new stuff - even pad - is wasted and at most, only some added to it in like kind where rip out tears in pad may happen. We want the top installer crew.

Not sure if laying a Quiet Floor anything over the creak problem, without removing the existing deck may work.
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/flooring/21015803/subflooring-secrets-to-a-quiet-floor

If you got the #1, $$$$ pad, then that's the best STC noise reducer and carpet life extender that shop can provide.

The remainder of noise is what's up there, who's there & their weight and now suspect those floor joists might be stretched to their limit in span, creating bounce/noise/creaks under heavy loads. If the latter IS the case, THEN we might revisit adding another decking layer = perhaps Quite Floor or something with cork in it like flooring has - to stiffen up that "plenum" structural diaphragm to move less.

I wonder if heavier furniture might dampen heavy footsteps or begin a thought string to explore.

Lastly, there are so many sleep white-noise machines or even fans that help drone out even snoring partners to consider these days. Now we are about to tangent into all those expert blogs about how to sleep better, products, et al.

Please let us know what worked for you!

I know nothing about this but I remember a thread on here from about 2 years ago and someone recommended a special screw that you put in through the carpet and it snaps off so you can't feel it. Seemed ingenious.

I don't remember if this was the product but it was a similar concept.

https://www.squeakyfloor.com/squeak-no-more-floor-repair-kit/

Thanks. The heavy walking is probably as much of an issue for me as the squeaks. The carpet was put in probably 5 years ago but was pretty good stuff and seems like it's in good shape.

The wife wants to do hardwoods for allergy reasons but then I'd probably never sleep a full night again. Inlaws come from the lands off all concrete construction and rampant hearing loss.

Move upstairs and let in-laws move down.

I really like this idea of swapping rooms

OR turn upstairs into a billiards room along the same thought string that
many clients elect to build a smaller retirement house that forces visitors into a Motel 6 when in town.

The really rich ones near popular vacation spots with plenty of freeloader friends elect to buy a remote shed/cabin ala
https://lpratthomes.com/tiny-houses/beach-view/

I wish. But stupid 80s house has 1 300sq room down and 3 100 sq rooms up. Maybe the wife and I could each take a room and the kids and the inlaws can all share the master?

This is an easy fix, believe it or not. The squeaking is from the nails and the movement of the wood they put in. All you need is a new subfloor to be GLUED AND SCREWED in. While the old subfloor is up, you can check to see that any plumbing or electrical is in good shape and doesn't need to be changed. If you think the carpet is fine, roll it up, do the work, put down a new pad, roll the carpet back in place and have it cleaned (or have it cleaned before it is put back down. You might find a carpet cleaner who can do it at his site.

NEVER have a subfloor nailed. EVER.

Just be careful when you pull everything up as its almost a certainty that underneath the joists is just sheetrock.

Now learning more about your floor plan, only a concrete padded floor will do and 20-20 hindsight tells me all those remedies cited thus far won't kill all the noises to be generated by visitors that refuse to go to bed when you do.

Many friends and family are forced to employ white noises in order to live with visitors, in strange new places or with each other in same bedroom.
You may find a better deal & perhaps better marriage in such machines but this idea surrounds your bedroom to block out visitor noises
https://www.amazon.com/Yogasleep-Classic-Original-Soothing-Cancelling/dp/B08BG61JLQ/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1OBRV8GFMLP6U&keywords=sleep+noise&qid=1660921660&rnid=2941120011&s=hpc&sprefix=sleep+noise%2Caps%2C124&sr=1-5

bam02 said:

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I know nothing about this but I remember a thread on here from about 2 years ago and someone recommended a special screw that you put in through the carpet and it snaps off so you can't feel it. Seemed ingenious.

I don't remember if this was the product but it was a similar concept.

https://www.squeakyfloor.com/squeak-no-more-floor-repair-kit/

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There's a short bit on This Old House and he installs that screw for a lady. Let me see if I can find it on YouTube

If I had heavy footed adults above me 60% of the time I would pull up the subfloor, stiffen the joists, foam in the cavities, screw and glue plywood underlayment, add the thickest highest quality pad available and go back with dense pile carpet.