Your squeaky stairs are more than just a cause of annoyance for you and your family. Unless you figure out how to fix stairs fast, you’re likely to be facing the dangers of accidents and injuries. To protect your family from defective stairs, below are basic stairs repair tips. Of course, you can also call for home service if you think that it’s just a matter of replacing hardwood floor coverings, but if you have enough carpentry skills, you can fix your hardwood stairs yourself.
Getting rid of squeaky stairs. The most common problem homeowners have with their stairs is that they squeak too much. This can be a sign that the wood has worn out. You can fix squeaky stairs either from above the stairs or below it. It’s always advisable for you to fix the stairs from below to hide any imperfections that your repair may cause. First of all, you have to look for the source of the noise. Once you find it, assess whether the noise is coming from the spot where your foot lands on the tread. If the noise is coming from this spot, concentrate all of your repair efforts here. If the noise is coming from another spot, you may be in for bigger repairs. Chances are, the entire tread is moving, and you will have to reinforce it or replace it with a new one. Check the wood wedges first. These are used to lock the treads into their slots. If they’ve loosened or fallen out, you need to glue them back in place. If there are splitting or cracks across the stringers of the treads, you need to make replacements before they worsen. Any noise on your stairs indicates that the structure is about to collapse. Make sure that you make the necessary repairs before the wood gives way and causes any accidents.
Repairing and replacing the stair treads. Just in case the damage has gone beyond mere dislocation of wood wedges, you may have to replace or repair your stair treads. If the damage is severe, you will have to replace individual treads. This can be a simple or a highly complicated feat depending on the design of your tread. If the damage is minor, though, you can attempt to repair the treads without removing them. If the treads are open and only resting on top of stringers, even an amateur can attempt repairs because the steps aren’t attached to the balusters. You only have to pull up the damaged tread and remove the nails that are holding it to the risers. Then, have new, unfinished treads cut to fit the space where the damaged tread used to be. If the treads are closed, or if they’re mortised into the stringers, removing a single tread can collapse the whole staircase. Before attempting to repair the closed treads, get an estimate from a professional. It may cost you less to hire someone who knows what he’s doing instead of attempting the repair yourself.