How to Repair Your Stairs
- Diagnosing the Problem. Many things can go wrong with your stairs. ...
- Stringing It Together. Stringers are the diagonal members of the stairs abutting the treads and risers, and while it’s not usually obvious, both treads and risers are slotted into a ...
- Hammering out Squeaks. Stair treads and risers generally aren’t nailed into place. ...
- Up Against the Wall. ...
How can I recover my stairs?
You may have some of these symptoms as you recover:
- Pain in your belly. You may also feel pain in one or both shoulders. ...
- A sore throat from the breathing tube. Throat lozenges may be soothing.
- Nausea and maybe throwing up. Your surgeon can provide you with nausea medicine if needed.
- Loose stools after eating. This may last 4 to 8 weeks. ...
- Bruising around your wounds. ...
- Skin redness around your wounds. ...
How do you fix a squeaky stair?
Instructions
- Locate the Source of the Squeak. Identify squeak hot spots by having an assistant slowly walk up and down the stairs as you try to locate the squeaks.
- Remove the Runners and Obstructions. If you have a runner on the stairs, remove it. ...
- Pull Loose Nails. Remove any visible loose nails. ...
- Drill Next to the Hole. ...
- Drill New Screw. ...
How do you repair squeaky stairs?
How to Quiet Squeaky Stairs
- Method 1 Method 1 of 3: Locating Squeaks Download Article. Know your stairs. ...
- Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Silencing Squeaky Stairs from Underneath Download Article. Stick a shim into tiny gaps. ...
- Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Quieting Your Stairs from Above Download Article. Apply lubricant between boards. ...
How to improve your staircase?
Step up
- Stand tall with feet shoulder-distance apart in front of a step.
- Tighten your core and place your left foot flat on the step while keeping your spine straight.
- Shift your weight onto the left foot.
- Breathe out, and press through the left heel and move your body up onto the step.
- Place the right foot entirely on the step. ...
How do you secure loose stair treads?
0:006:17How To Fix Loose Stair Treads For Stairways With Brackets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecome loose and the threads of course start to move so just give you an idea you're usually goingMoreBecome loose and the threads of course start to move so just give you an idea you're usually going to use a lag screw like this or a lag bolt. And it's going to attach the bracket.
How do you tighten a staircase?
3:326:01How to Tighten a Loose Newel Post | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right let's start. Again. All right micah you're up to tighten up this railing we're going toMoreAll right let's start. Again. All right micah you're up to tighten up this railing we're going to use six inch structural screws. Down just a little bit there you. Go.
How do you fix a wobbly wooden staircase?
Driving wood shims into the seams between the stair parts and the stringers will usually cure looseness. The best shims to use are wood-shingle scraps. It is also common to find wood blocks fastened where the treads and risers meet. If any blocks are loose, knock them off completely with a hammer.
How do you reinforce old stairs?
3:389:04How To Strengthen Weak Basement Steps – Stair Repairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet's go ahead and take a look at you're basically just going to be building a wall with a 2x4 toMoreLet's go ahead and take a look at you're basically just going to be building a wall with a 2x4 to support the tread.
How do you fix creaking stairs from above?
How to Stop Creaking Stairs from AboveA great way to fix creaking stairs from above is by checking if the tread is loose from the riser. ... Next, drill the clearance holes in, using countersink screws. ... You might find that the loose joint is located further back at the end of the tread.More items...
How do you support wooden stairs?
3:268:36How To Add Structural Support To Damaged Steps For Stairs With ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSupport blocks and of course you could always have two support blocks. And then one support braceMoreSupport blocks and of course you could always have two support blocks. And then one support brace like a two by eight or a two by ten or you can have a support block.
How do you brace a stair stringer?
3:125:38How To Properly Support Bottom Stair Stringer Structurally And WhyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHow wide you're actually going to need it that isn't that it isn't going to be difficult. Cut yourMoreHow wide you're actually going to need it that isn't that it isn't going to be difficult. Cut your stair stringer. And then put it in its proper place before you build the landing. And measure.
How do you tighten stair spindles?
0:531:53Easy Fix (Repair) loose stair banister spindles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere's a brad nail punch and we're going to just hit that thing not too hard not too fast. MakeMoreThere's a brad nail punch and we're going to just hit that thing not too hard not too fast. Make sure you recess it enough so that way when you do putty for paint.
What can go wrong with stairs?
Many things can go wrong with your stairs. They can squeak or loosen between treads, and stairwells attached on only one side—known as open stairs —can even begin to separate from the wall. To diagnose problems, start with a visual inspection for gaps, and a walking test to feel out any movement (or give) and to identify the location of squeaks. The good news is that most problems are familiar to a competent carpenter. The bad news is that the plaster or paneling (or whatever else covers the underside of the stairs) must be removed in order to reach the problem. Frequently, the 2x4s at the sides that hold up the ceiling (the underneath part of the top stair) must also come off; save them for putting the ceiling back. Once the cover is removed and the stair’s innards are laid bare, repairs won’t seem so daunting. (Repairing the hole you’ve created usually isn’t too difficult, either).
Why do stairs have stringers?
This doesn’t happen very often on closed stairwells (stairs with walls on both sides), but open stairwells can experience stringer spread for a number of reasons: House settling, wall movement, inappropriate repairs, and poor original workmanship are all common culprits. The trick is to pull the stringers back together and keep them that way.
How to close gaps in stringer?
To close gaps caused by stringer spread, start by cleaning debris from the stringer housings (the dado or groove where they fit). Remove nails, wood splinters, paint chips, or glue from the lower and upper sides; finish with a blast of compressed air.
Can you remove the plaster from the underside of a stair?
The bad news is that the plaster or paneling (or whatever else covers the underside of the stairs) must be removed in order to reach the problem. Frequently, the 2x4s at the sides that hold up the ceiling (the underneath part of the top stair) must also come off; save them for putting the ceiling back.
Try this simple way to install a strong handrail
Fix a wobbly railing by first attaching it to a board and then screwing the board solidly to the wall.
Mount a handrail solidly to a wall
Position the handrail on the board so the space above the rail and below the brackets is about the same, spacing the rail evenly from both ends. Drill pilot and countersink holes and screw through the board into the returns with 2-in. screws.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
Why do stairs squeak?
Fixing Squeaky Stairs. Most steps in older homes creak and squeak underfoot because the wood has dried and shrunk over time. Squeaks in stairs are usually caused by a loose tread rubbing against a riser or a stringer when the stair is stepped on.
What happens if you step on the front of a tread?
If the noise comes from one side when you step in the center or if it comes from the rear of the tread when you step at the front, the chances are pretty good the entire tread is moving or deflecting. If you’re concerned about the noises, start by investigating the source of the sound.
How to prevent wood from splitting?
To prevent the wood from splitting, drill pilot holes before inserting nails or screws. Counterbore the holes if you plan to fill them with dowel plugs. Secure treads to risers with finishing nails. Otherwise, set the heads slightly below the surface and cover the holes with matching wood putty.
Can you see a newel under stairs?
When one becomes loose, and you can’t see its anchoring point under the stairs, it may be necessary to work through a ceiling to get at the underside or remove a piece of flooring on a stair landing in order to make the repair. On older stairs, the base of a newel is often doweled or mortised and glued in place.
Can you replace a broken staircase tread?
Repairing a Broken Stair Tread. Individual treads can be replaced when absolutely necessary. Depending on how the staircase is built, this can be simple or it can be far too complicated for an amateur to tackle. If you can, try to repair the tread without removing it.
Can you fix a noise from below?
It’s preferable if you can fix them from below because your repair is less likely to show. Once you find the source of the noise, you can usually fix it relatively easily. If the noise comes from the spot where your foot meets the tread, concentrate your repair efforts there.
Can you remove a single tread on a staircase?
However, if the treads are glued into mortises cut into the stringers on both sides (a “closed” run), or if they are held in place by balusters mortised into each step, removing a single tread could entail disassembling (and possibly destroying) much of the staircase in the process.
How to get rid of squeaky stairs?
2. Walk up and down the stairs listening for squeaks or movement at each stair. When you hear a squeak, stop and rock back your body on the stair to pinpoint its precise location and then mark it with the chalk.
How do I nail a stair tread?
Drill a hole, slightly smaller than the 8d finish nails, into one side of the tread. Then hammer the finish nail into the hole. Repeat the nailing process at each of your chalk marks to secure the treads to the stringers. For loose spots between the treads and risers, drill and nail from underneath the stairs.
How to measure the width of a stringer?
Measure the length of one tread. Then measure the width of one stringer. Multiply the stringer measurement by 2 and subtract the total from your tread length. This determines how far apart to set the stringers.
Do stairs sink with each step?
While treads naturally give a little when stepped on, you do not want them sinking with each step. Sometimes stairs separate from the wall, leaving gaps bugs can get through or in which little fingers can get caught. To tighten the staircase and correct most loose riser or tread issues you need access to the underside of the stairs.
Eliminate noisy treads from above
Carpeted stairs that squeak can be repaired from above in several easy steps—without destroying the ceiling below the steps.
With the carpet off, pry up the treads
Pry off each tread with a flat bar. Remove the nails and clean off any carpet pad or staples.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.