Squeaky hardwood floors

[TrogL]

I decided to replace the carpet with laminate flooring. It's an older house so the floors squeak a lot so I also figured now would be a good time to get rid of them.

When I got some of the carpet, I discovered hardwood flooring underneath. It's not in the greatest shape, but I understand "hardwood flooring" is a great feature in the resale market so I don't want to screw it up more than it already is (it just needs a good sanding).

My understanding of fixing them was to use shims until I read up a bit and discovered that shims just move the problem elsewhere. Other solutions involved graphite, banging nails and screws from above or attempting to screw from below (which sounds waaaaay too complicated).

I'd like to just nail the offending boards down and be done with it, but I don't want to mess up the floor (even though I won't be able to see it).

How badly would a nailed up floor reduce re-sale value 30 years down the road?

Other solutions?

[hedgehog]

1. Earplugs?

I like squeaky floors myself. Think of them as the nightingale floor. They squeak so you can tell when ninjas are trying to sneak up on you.

[TrogL]

3. That's the problem

I'm trying to sneak up on CraftyGal and she hears me coming.

[formerrepuke]

2. I have all hardwood floors.. and some noticeable squeaks..

I've not done anything about it- but I have seen an item for sale (possibly in Home Trends catalogue) which can be used for first-floor squeaks; the device is used on the basement ceiling (providing there is no dropped ceiling or ceiling tiles).. there is a brace with a long screw which is turned until the squeaky area above it stops making noise when its walked on. It probably takes two people to install it properly.

However- I, personally, would not nail floorboards... unless they are always kept covered by a rug.