Joist blocking

We had some flexing and squeaking at the base of our stairs in the hallway. No amount of screws in the floorboards would fix the problem, so I installed a couple of 2x4's with 5-1/2" lag screws across the joists in the basement (easily accessible in our unfinished basement), and a bunch of screws in the floorboards to tie them into the new cross braces. No more flexing or squeaking!

I used the last of our 1-lb box of 2" screws and got a 5-lb box at Home Depot this evening. The hallway floors are about 80% secured to the joists, so this box should be sufficient for the powder room and kitchen floors. I am installing screws every 8" along all joists, whether there is a squeak/flexing problem or not. I don't trust the nails that the builder used 31 years ago.