How to Silence Squeaky Stairs

Creaky stairs are fine for ghost stories but an annoyance in your own home. Stair squeaks originate from warped boards, wood moving against other wood or metal such as nails, or just plain old poor construction.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood Glues
• Dowels
• Paraffin Waxes
• Tack Hammers
• Variable-speed Drills
• Wood Screws
• Wood screws

1. Track down the exact location of the squeak by bouncing on the stair treads.

2. Expose the steps by pulling up the carpet and pad.

3. Put weight (you, another person or a heavy toolbox) on the offending tread.

4. Drill two pilot holes near the squeak. The hole should go through the step into the riser.

5. Countersink two screws in the pilot holes.

6. Tap a piece of dowel smeared with wood glue into the hole on top of the screw head.

7. Cut the dowel off at floor level and sand it smooth.

8. Tack the pad and carpet back into place if necessary.

9. Screw two shelf brackets to the riser and the bottom of the step, if you can access the stairs from below. Make sure the screws are shorter than the width of the boards.

Tips & Warnings

• Rub paraffin on the screws to help them go in easier.
• Use dowels made of the same wood as the stairs if they're exposed (not carpeted).