Timber stairs creak

Causes

Timber has shrunk, resulting in movement between tread and string

Wedges under treads have loosened or shrunk

Stair string fixings need to be tightened

Stair width too big for the string or tread span

Common

Listed under: Interior, timber and wood-based, timber, stairs and steps

Cause

Timber has shrunk, resulting in movement between tread and string

Repair

  • if the underside of stairs is accessible:
    • screw-fix the riser into the tread
    • fill joints between the riser and tread with adhesive
    • remove loose wedges if possible; apply adhesive and replace wedges hammering firmly into place
    • add glue blocks to each internal angle between tread and riser
  • if the underside of stairs is not accessible, contact a joiner for advice

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Cause

Wedges under treads have loosened or shrunk

Repair

  • if the underside of stairs is accessible:
    • screw-fix the riser into the tread
    • fill joints between the riser and tread with adhesive
    • remove loose wedges if possible; apply adhesive and replace wedges hammering firmly into place
    • add glue blocks to each internal angle between tread and riser
  • if the underside of stairs is not accessible, contact a joiner for advice

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Cause

Stair string fixings need to be tightened

Repair

  • if the underside of stairs is accessible:
    • screw-fix the riser into the tread
    • fill joints between the riser and tread with adhesive
    • remove loose wedges if possible; apply adhesive and replace wedges hammering firmly into place
    • add glue blocks to each internal angle between tread and riser
  • if the underside of stairs is not accessible, contact a joiner for advice

Back to top

Cause

Stair width too big for the string or tread span

Repair

  • if the underside of stairs is accessible, options include:

             - screw-fix the riser into the tread
             - fill joints between the riser and tread with adhesive
             - remove loose wedges if possible; apply adhesive and replace wedges hammering firmly into place
             - add glue blocks to each internal angle between tread and riser
             - add an additional centre string (cut to suit riser and tread under the centreline of the stair

  • if the underside of the stairs is not accessible, contact a joiner for advice

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