Conceal Screw Holes

What happens in this clip

After successfully driving the screws, apply a small amount of wood putty over each screw head to fill the holes. Allow the wood putty to dry completely, following the manufacturer's instructions, which typically takes several minutes to an hour. Once dry, lightly sand the puttied areas smooth to be flush with the bannister's surface. Finally, repaint the bannister (or at least the repaired areas) with a color that matches the existing finish to make the repair invisible.

Goal: Restore the aesthetic appearance of the bannister after securing it

What's used

Materials

• Matching Paint
• Clear coat
• Wood Putty
• Epoxy putty

About the full video

This project provides a simple and effective DIY method to stabilize a loose wooden bannister post. By strategically driving long wood screws at an angle through the bannister's base and into the subfloor, the post is securely anchored. The process concludes with aesthetic touch-ups using wood putty and matching paint to conceal the screw heads, resulting in a firm and visually appealing repair.

Step 6 of 6: Conceal Screw Heads (Optional)

For a more aesthetically pleasing repair, you can conceal the screw heads that were used to secure the stair components. If the screws were countersunk, you can fill the resulting holes with a wood filler that matches the color of your stairs. Once the filler has dried completely, sand the area smooth until it is flush with the surrounding wood. If necessary, you can then touch up the area with a wood stain, paint, or a colored pencil that closely matches the original finish of your stairs. This step is purely cosmetic but can significantly improve the appearance of the repaired area.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Fix Squeaky Hardwood Stairs from Above

1. Step 1: Locate Squeak Source

   • 0:00–1:23 Identify Squeak Source
   • 2:46–5:26 Identify Squeak Points and Mark Drilling Guides
   • 0:44–1:08 Identify Squeak and Gather Materials for PVA Method

2. Step 2: Access from Above

   • 0:14–0:34 Fix Squeaks from Underneath with Shims
   • 0:03–1:05 Identify and Prepare Problem Area
   • 0:56–1:24 Apply Screws or Blocks for Stability

3. Step 3: Secure Loose Tread/Riser

   • 6:29–7:31 Drive Screws to Secure Tread to Riser
   • 6:13–6:27 Secure Front Treads with Screws
   • 2:05–4:08 Reinforce Risers and Treads with Adhesive and Timber

4. Step 4: Address Loose Stringers

   • 0:09–0:13 Secure Lower Stringer Section
   • 0:56–1:24 Apply Screws or Blocks for Stability
   • 1:24–2:44 Fix Squeaks on Carpeted Stairs

5. Step 5: Test for Squeaks

   • 4:28–5:00 Test the Repaired Stairs
   • 0:46–0:52 Fix Squeaks on Hardwood Stairs with Screws and Putty
   • 11:15–11:37 Final Inspection

6. Step 6: Conceal Screw Heads (Optional)

   • 1:12–1:17 Conceal Screw Holes (this video)
   • 0:22–0:30 Fill Screw Holes with Wood Putty
   • 4:26–4:39 Conceal Screw Heads