Reinforce Risers and Treads with Adhesive and Timber

What happens in this clip

Begin by applying the 'Lumberjack Wood Adhesive Professional Grade' into any existing gaps where the stair treads meet the risers from underneath. Use the sealant gun to inject a generous amount of adhesive, ensuring it fills the voids. This adhesive expands slightly, helping to fill irregular gaps and create a tight bond. After applying adhesive to the new timber piece, position it flush against the riser-tread joint and immediately screw it in place using the cordless drill and 'Turbo Gold Screws.' The video demonstrates using four screws through the new timber into the riser and three screws upwards into the tread, ensuring a strong, secure connection.

Goal: Securely brace the stair risers and treads to prevent movement and squeaking.

What's used

Tools

• Cordless Drill DeWalt
• Impact driver
• Protective Gloves
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety Glasses
• Sealant Gun

Materials

• Lumberjack Wood Adhesive Professional Grade Lumberjack
• Polyurethane wood glue
• Timber Pieces
• Hardwood lumber
• Turbo Gold Screws Turbo Gold
• Decking screws

About the full video

This project demonstrates a method to eliminate squeaky stairs by reinforcing the treads and risers from underneath. The process involves removing any existing inadequate braces, applying an expanding wood adhesive into gaps, and then screwing solid timber pieces to securely connect the risers and treads, thereby stopping movement and noise.

Step 3 of 6: Secure Loose Tread/Riser

Once you have accessed the underside of the stairs and located the loose connection between a tread and a riser, the next step is to secure them. This is typically done by driving long wood screws through one component into the other. If the tread is loose on the riser, drive screws from the underside of the tread up into the riser. If the riser is loose on the tread, drive screws horizontally through the riser into the tread. It is critical to use screws that are long enough to get a good grip in both pieces of wood but not so long that they will poke through the visible surface of the stair. Pre-drilling pilot holes can help prevent the wood from splitting, especially in hardwood.

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 (this video)

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
   • 0:22–0:30 Fill Screw Holes with Wood Putty
   • 4:26–4:39 Conceal Screw Heads