Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Standard for all my reviews: When reviewing products, I always remain objective and honest about the product or service. I always review with information that I feel others would like to know about the product as I always assume what I'm writing will influence for or against the purchase. I always try to go above and beyond surface characteristics and input into quality, value and application. Most importantly, I will always end the review with an answer as to whether I'd purchase the product again which I believe is the most critical question pertaining to the item. To manufacturers: Want me to review your items, just let me know! I wish I had searched for this solution sooner as we have struggled with squeaks on our second story forever, especially in our daughter's room. It wasn't until she just moved out that I decided I needed to do something and that's when I found this product. So here's the skinny .... The kit works but it sure looks a lot easier on videos than when using it my first time. But after a while you'll get the hang of it. In short, you are given two joist finding bits and 50 break-away screws. The size and distance of your squeak will determine how man screws you have to use. I used about 15 on the biggest squeaks in our daughter's room, they were numerous and VERY loud. Finding the joist is the biggest issue. I tried my stud find without much luck. I tried using a hammer to detect subtle differences in sound and sometimes that seemed to work 'okay' but not usually. Starting 9-10" away from a wall is usually a joist and finding that one helped immensely as most others should be 16" on center and that usually worked out well. Use the joist-finding bit to drill down 3" or so. If you find a joist you won't be able to pull the bit up at all or if you reverse your drill it will back out since it's in wood (the joist). If you can slide the bit up and down, you're through the sub floor and into space (not a joist). After finding the joist, change your drill bit to the driver of the break-away screws, locate the squeak on that joist, put down the guide on the spot, lean into it to make sure a good deep connection is made and set the screw through the guide. Press firmly on your drill and drive the screw down until the guide stops you from drilling any more. At this point you can test to see if your squeak is gone. If so, use the side area on the guide tool to break away the screw top. As I said before, you may need to use a lot of screws depending on the size of the squeak. If you have a large squeak and need to use multiple screws, I HIGHLY recommend leaving each screw exposed (don't break off) and go down the joist 3-5" and put in another one. Use a colored threat or twine to wrap each head as you drive it in to create a 'path' of sorts to help continue down the joist. It also helps to clearly see where your unbroken screws are. Let me me tell you, do NOT lose track of them because I brought me knee down on one and thought I broke my kneecap. If you need to find a new joist, use your previous location +16" as a guide for where the next joist should be. I had problems finding consistent joists in the hallway and resorted to drilling hole after hole until I found the joists. The holes don't ruin your carpet as long as it's not berber. They have a special screw/procedure for berber. One of my joist finding bits broke nearly the end, but they give you two thankfully. You might consider getting an extra 50 pack of screws. I went through more than expected but still have 15 left over from my 6 or so squeak areas. It's not as easy as some make it look but you will get the hang of it and it's rewarding when done. It was more work than I expected and with one of the bits breaking I'm giving this four stars. I am going to purchase more screws for the future and would purchase this product again.