About Squeaky Stairs

It seems inevitable. Stairs are going to squeak as they age. It matters little whether they are located indoors or out, the type of wood they are made of or the method of their construction. The noises occur for a wide variety of reasons, most of which have to do with how the stairs are attached and the condition of the wood.

Types

The major reason that stairs squeak is that wood dries out over time, causing shrinkage. Since it no longer fits as intended, the stairs tend to give, shifting as they are stepped on. Stairs can also bow under the pressure of the weight placed on them. That can cause the wood to rub against the surface they are attached to. Squeaks also result from using the wrong type of wood or for the conditions under which they exist. Certain types of woods cannot withstand difficult climates and deteriorate more quickly than others.

Features

Stairs consist of three main parts: stringers, risers and treads. Stringers form the base that the risers and treads are connected to. Most staircases have two stringers; one on each side. Inordinately large or heavy staircases may have a third stringer placed in the center of the stairs. The riser is the vertical part that, together with the height of the stringer, determines the depth between stairs. The tread is the part that people walk on as they traverse the staircase. Along with the width of the stringer, the tread helps to determine how wide and deep the walking area of the stair will be. Squeaky stairs can occur due to flaws or problems with any part of the stringer, riser or tread.

Warning

It it is important to determine the exact cause for squeaking stairs. Accidents could result if stairs are left unrepaired. Squeaks can be an early warning of something more serious, like rotting wood or stress fractures. Squeaks could also suggest that inferior building materials were used in the construction of the staircase, which, if not handled, promptly could result in injury.

Prevention/Solution

The key to repairing a squeaky stair is determining the problem. This may require examining the stairs from the underneath as well as the top to look for cracks between the stair and the surface to which the stringer is attached. It is also necessary to look for cracks in the stair tread and the riser. Make certain that nails and other joining compounds have not come loose, leaving a gap anywhere around the various components of the stair. Once the problem is located, it becomes a simple matter of repair.

Potential

Most stairs squeak at one time or another. This can happen anywhere on the stair surface; at the front, back, middle or side. While the stair tread is commonly the culprit, that is not always true. It is possible for the riser to become dislodged from its foundation. Additionally, if the wood chosen for the riser cannot withstand the constant pressure placed upon it, it can crack just as easily as the stair tread.