If creaky stairs are ruining the atmosphere in your home, then don’t worry, Ehjoiney is here to help you solve the issue.

Noisy stairs can be disruptive and frustrating, especially during nighttime trips to the kitchen when the rest of the house is quiet. The good news is, this is something that can be easily fixed with a little effort.

Read on for five quick ways to restore your creaky stairs to full health. For staircase and home renovations, browse our services today.

Identifying the Cause of the Creak

Before diving into solving the problem, you need to realise where it’s coming from. There are various reasons why your stairs may have adopted a creak. This includes:

Loose treads or risers: The wood in your stairs can shrink over time, causing the nails or screws to loosen and creak.
Worn or dry joints: The joints where the treads and risers meet can become dry and start to rub against each other, causing creaking. This is more common in older stairs.
Inadequate support: If the stringers have become worn down, the stairs can flex under weight, causing creaking as you use them.
Environmental factors: A change in humidity and temperature can cause wood to expand and contract, leading to noisy stairs.
Improper installation: If the staircase was not properly installed, it might have inherent weaknesses that cause creaking.

Locating the Cause of the Creak

Walk the stairs: Carefully walk up and down the stairs, paying close attention to the sound. When you find a noisy step, mark it with a pen or sticky note.
Listen and feel: Listen out for the loudest point of the creak and feel for any movement or give in the steps. Look out for any cracks and use a level to check for uneveness in the wood.
Use a helper: Have someone else walk the stairs whilst you listen from below, above, and at each end of the staircase to locate the noise.

5 Solutions to Creaky Stairs

Once you have located the issue, you can skip to the specific solution for the problem or combine a few of the steps below.

Ensure that you wear appropriate PPE before starting, such as safety goggles and gloves.

1. Tighten any Loose Screws and Bolts

For this, you will need:

Screwdriver/Wrench set/Allen keys
Wood glue
Replacement screws and bolts

Step 1: Locate the creaking steps, examining the treads and risers for gaps or movement.

Step 2: Access the underside of the stairs to find the screws or bolts that might be loose.

Step 3: Hand-tighten each bolt, then use a screwdriver, wrench, or Allen key to tighten the screw anticlockwise till it’s snug.

Step 4: If a screw or bolt just spins without tightening, it may be stripped. If so, remove the stripped item and replace it with a new one.

Step 5: Apply a small amount of wood glue in the joint or around the screw hole before inserting it for extra stability.

2. Apply a Lubricant

Lubricants, such as graphite powder, beeswax, or paraffin wax, can help reduce friction between moving parts of the stairs. For this, you will need:

Wood lubricant
Small brush/ toothbrush
Clean cloth

Step 1: Clean the area with a cloth to ensure there’s no dust, debris, or grease.

Step 2: Sprinkle a small amount of graphite powder into the seams and joints. Then use a brush to gently work it into the gaps. Alternatively, rub a wax solution into the seams and joints.

Step 3: Leave the lubricant for an hour to work into the seams.

Step 4: Wipe away any excess lubricant from the surface of the stairs to prevent slipping.

3. Add Shims to Fill any Gaps

Shims are effective when gaps have formed between treads, risers, and stringers. For this, you will need:

Wood or plastic shims
Hammer or rubber mallet
Utility knife or saw
Wood glue (optional for permanent fixing)

Step 1: Choose the appropriate thickness to fill the gap without forcing the wood apart. Trim the shim if needed for a snug fit.

Step 2: Slide the shim into the gap, tapered end first and use a hammer or mallet to tap it into place.

Step 3: For a more permanent solution, apply a small amount of wood glue to the shim before inserting it.

Step 4: Trim any part of the shim that protrudes beyond the stair’s surface.

4. Replace Worn or Damaged Treads

For this, you will need:

New stair treads
Pry bar or crowbar
Hammer and nails or screwdriver and screws
Saw
Measuring tape
Carpenter’s pencil
Wood glue (optional)

Step 1: Starting from one corner, use the pry bar to lift the damaged tread and remove any nails or screws.

Step 2: Once the old tread is removed, clean any debris, dust, or old fasteners. Repair the stringers or risers if necessary.

Step 3: Then measure the length and width of the gap to determine the size of the new tread.

Step 4: Cut the new tread to size if necessary, then place it in position. Secure it in place with nails or screws, pre-drilling the wood for screws beforehand.

Step 5: For extra stability, apply wood glue on the stringers before placing the new tread.

5. Strengthen the Staircase Stringers

To fix the stringers on your stairs, you will need:

Additional lumber for stringer support (e.g., 2×4 or 2×6 boards).
Wood screws and nails
Drill and screwdriver
Saw
Carpenter’s level
Measuring tape
Carpenter’s pencil or marker

Step 1: Measure the length of the stringers and cut the lumber to size for a tight fit.

Step 2: Position the support lumber alongside the existing stringers, using a level to ensure it’s straight.

Step 3: Then attach the lumber to the stringers with nails or screws, pre-drilling holes beforehand to prevent the wood from splitting.

Step 4: Check the joints where the stringers meet the treads and risers and reinforce them with screws or brackets.

Step 5: For extra support, install a new stringer in the middle of the staircase, measuring and cutting it to the same size as the existing stringers.

Choose EHjoinery for Your Staircase Renovation

If you’re tired of your old staircase ruining the appearance or safety of your home, it’s time to invest in a new one!

At EHjoinery, we provide a wide range of staircase installations. Whether you prefer an open-plan staircase or traditional stairs, we can help you transform your home today.