Silencing Squeaky Stairs

Q: How can we fix our squeaky oak staircase? Since we removed the carpet the noise is louder and more widespread than ever. To make matters more complicated, the underside of the staircase is covered in drywall. We’re thinking of installing new carpet, but I don’t believe in just covering up a problem.

A: I'm happy to help with some suggestions, and the first thing to realize is that your problem is quite common. Even small amounts of wood movement in the stair structure can cause squeaks. Carpenters could virtually eliminate this problem if they built stairs using glue and screws (instead of nails alone), but few tradespeople take the job seriously enough to work this way. Since your stair frames are enclosed, you really only have one option. Identify the squeaky stair treads, then install one or two screws in predrilled holes located above the supporting side members of the stair structure. These supports are called stringers, and movement between them and the stair treads is usually the cause of trouble like yours. I'd recommend predrilling the screw holes in such a way that tapered wooden plugs could hide them later. Even if you plan on covering the oak treads with carpet soon, someone may opt to expose the wood in the future. That’s why you should work neatly now.