powered by

Get Rid of Squeaky Stairs for Good

Video by Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford · 2 moments used in Oak Valley Designs's DIY guides · 1:00 long

Moments in this video

  1. 0:15–0:38 Shim Gaps from Underside From How to Fix Squeaky Stairs from Underneath with Shims and Glue Blocks, Step 2: Prepare Shim Material

    If you have access to the underside of your stairs, locate the area where the squeak occurs. This is typically caused by a small gap between the stair tread and its support structure. Obtain a few wooden shims, which are thin, tapered pieces of wood. Gently tap one or more shims into the gap using a hammer until the gap is filled and the movement causing the squeak is eliminated. To prevent the shims from dislodging and to add further stability, apply a bead of good quality construction adhesive around the shims and into any remaining small voids using a caulk gun. This will help seal the shims in place and prevent future movement.

  2. 0:38–0:49 Screw Through Carpeted Treads From How to Prep Stairs for Holiday Guests, Step 5: Tighten Loose Carpet or Treads

    When stairs are covered with carpet, access from underneath is often not practical or possible. For these situations, use small diameter wood screws. Locate the squeaking area on the carpeted tread. Using a drill/driver, drive a screw down through the carpet and into the stair tread, ensuring it bites into the structural wood underneath (like the stringer or a block). The goal is to pull the loose tread tightly against the support. Once the screw is driven in, gently fluff the carpet fibers around the screw head to conceal it as much as possible, making it less visible and preventing snags.

Guides that use this video

More from the Oak Valley Designs DIY Hub

Read the guide Browse all guides

Planning this project? Shop Oak Valley Designs.

Get Rid of Squeaky Stairs for Good — step-by-step moments | Oak Valley Designs

Subscribe for exclusive updates

Be the first to know about promotions, new products, and sales.