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Carpentry & Joinery

Squeaky and slightly wobbly stairs with a little movement

Anonymous user 14/03/2024 - 2.32 PM

I live in an ex council house and the stairs all squeak. I don't mind the noise so much but more that they slightly wobble and one of them sort of drops slightly when it is stood on. Could it simply be that they are moving on the nails in which case can I just replace nails with screws (or use screws leaving nails in place) or is it likely to be a more serious than that? If it is just screws, what screws should be used? I can't get to the back of the stairs as they are enclosed. I haven't taken the carpet up just yet which I know isn't very useful for working out what's wrong but will be doing soon. Thanks

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3 Answers

kevin cassidy building contractors

Rating: 5 out of 5

Accrington

Usually staircases are constructed using wedges to hold the treads and risers in place they are supposed to be glued into place but if all of your treads are squeaking or coming loose it sounds like glue was not used. Ideally the underside of the staircase should be exposed and all the loose wedges should be removed one at a time and glued firmly back into place (the wedges are normally hammered in). Once the staircase is resecured, the underside can be reinstated.

Answered1 March 2014

Anonymous user

Most staircases are constructed with the treads and riders fitted loosely into routed slots in the string, or, in simple English, the horizontal and vertical parts of the steps fit into slots in the sloping timbers up each side!! Wedges of wood are then hammered and glued in to make each component tight in the slots. Over the years the timber may shrink and the parts become loose and squeaky when you walk on them. The correct cure is to remove the facing, usually plaster board but in older houses lath and plaster, from under the staircase, tighten or replace the wedges and replace the boarding. Regards. Andre

Answered1 March 2014

Anonymous user

Hi agree with the above but however I have in the passed refixed the tread to the riser with 3" x 8mm screws and also applied 3 angle brackets to each tread secured to the risers. It may not eliminate the problem totally and the suggestions above are defiantly best practice however it should reduce the noise and movement.

Answered18 March 2014