We just had ceramic tile (walls & floor) installed in our new bathroom, looks great! Shortly after the job was finished, the floor along the tub began to squeak whenever you walked near it or if you sat on the edge of the tub. My husband installed a bracket into the joist directly beneath the squeak - no change. The original tilesetter won't return our calls, so we hired a different tilesetter. Tilesetter #2 removed the tiles along the tub and ensured the 3/4" plywood was securely screwed into the joist. He also added 2x4 support beneath the subfloor in alignment with the tub, between the joists. The bare floor (sans tile) no longer squeaks, however, if you sit on the tub (near the plumbed wall) the squeaking still occurs. We can't figure what the heck is going on and dread the thought of ripping out the tiles on the wall. Behind the ceramic tile is greenboard (which I now know is not h20-proof) which rests over the lip/flange of the tub, the beams & plumbing, drywall and lastly a floor to ceiling linen cabinet. Our current tilesetter asked if the tub was screwed in. Now I'm wondering if the greenboard should have stopped above the flange? Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what may be causing the squeaking? If this were your bathroom, what would you do? /db

Is the joint between the tile and the tub grouted? Sometimes it only takes a grain of sand to cause a squeak against the tub, especially if it an acrylic tub. That joint should be left free of grout or thin set, and caulked instead.

Thanks Bri, we'll give that a try!

I solved the same problem with a local builder, now all he uses is colour match grout or white at the tub or shower base. All is good now! Hey Bri where ya been? Hope your life is good and yuve been missed on the site. Thanx Ross

No tile backer should ever go past the tile flange on any tub or shower.

Number one source of most squeaks are from the acrylic rubing against the wood on a stud or in your case the subfloor.
Other possiblities might be from a piece of tile touching the tub somewhere or the tile backer touching the tub.

This would indicate that the tub is moving and was not properly shimed or set in mortar(thinset)

If the squeak is at the floor my first fix would be to remove the caulking where the tub skirt and floor meet and remove any grout or thinset that mat be touching the tub. If that resolves the squeak then finish up by caulking this joint.

Thank you gents for your input. Tilesetter #2 resolved all our squeaks by pulling off tiles and screwing in the tub. We also scraped out the grout along the tile/tub & tub/floor seams and replaced it with matching caulking. And lastly he used some type of gooey clear sealant and filled in and around the tub before finally replacing the tiles. My floor looks b-e-a-u-tiful once again and the creeks and squeaks are gone! I really appreciate you guys and the feedback on this DIY forum. Thanks again! Diann

Make sure you recommend and hire # 2 for any job in the future. He gave it his "ALL".