How do I stop my wood steps from squeaking -Ralph

Wooden staircases develop squeaks when there’s a gap between the tread and stringer, which allows the step to move slightly as pressure is applied. There are several ways to fix wood stairs that squeak, including:

  • For stairs with access from below, drive wood shims between the tread and stringer from below, and seal them with construction adhesive.
  • For carpeted stairs that don’t have access from below, drive small diameter screws through carpet.
  • For wood steps that don’t have access from below, drill holes in the steps, countersink wood screw below the surface, and cover the screw heads with putty.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Ralph asks, “How do I stop my wood steps from squeaking?”

Danny Lipford: You know I don’t think I’ve ever seen a set of stairs that’s framed with wood that didn’t squeak at least a little bit. Now, if you have access under the stairs, fairly easy to fix. Just drop by The home center, pick up a few wooden shims. Use your hammer to drive it right in the space that you’ll find under the stairs where the squeak’s occurring. Then to keep the shims in place, use a good quality construction adhesive to caulk around and seal it in place. That’ll also help prevent some of the squeaks.

Now, if you already have carpet on them, like I have here, then pick up a few small diameter screws that you can drive right down through the carpet, and then fluff the carpet up around it to cover it up a bit. If you have hardwood floors, well, use the same screw, recess a little bit, and then cover it up with colored putty.


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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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