Metal Cross Bracing Bridges Squeaking

Usually, cross bracing helps keep a wood floor from squeaking. Unfortunately , I just bought a home that has two locations under the floor where the metal cross bracing is squeaking. It sounds like an old rusty swing set. I'm lucky that the floor is unfinished and I can gain access to the bridges. My concern is that if I cut the metal bracing in those two sections, will that cause the entire strip to loosen down the line or is each joist secured to the bracing? I am also considering inserting a barrier in between the cross points that cause to the squeaks. Plus I would like to run heat vents under the floor in some locations.

Thanks Y'all for the help.

 

Go for it but, if it's going to be sometime yet before you install the duct work, I would suggest you replace the old with new bracing. When you're ready to install the duct work, remove the bracing that is blocking you and once the ducts are installed (I presume you are running the ducts between the floor joists), cut pieces of 2x4 long enough to span the area between the two joists and nail them (the 2x4, not the duct work) to the joists.