Simple Solutions For Your Stairs and floors

STAIRS:
If you have teenage kids, squeaks in your floors and stairs might be just what you want, so you know when they come in a night.  However, if you are trying to get a good night's sleep or just want some peace and quite, squeaky floors and stairs can be quite aggravating.  Many times a handy homeowner is capable of eliminating these irritants to the ears.

Squeaks in stairs develop when the treads and risers that are joined together become loose.  Walking on the stairs simply causes the movement of these two components against each other resulting in the squeak. 

The figure to the right illustrates two methods of eliminating squeaks in stairs if you have access to the underside.  
1. Daub the end of small wood shims with carpenter's glue and gently hammer them into the joints of the treads and risers that are loose.  
2. Apply carpenter's glue to the back of a small wood block and fasten it to the the corner of the tread and riser with screws.

If you do not have access to the underside of the stairs the following method can be used:  Cut a piece of 3/4 Inch-rad. quarter-round molding the width of the stairway.  Apply carpenter's glue to the back of the the molding and nail it to the joint of the tread and riser.  '

Very thin shims can also be used on the top side.  Simply cut the exposed portion off with a razor knife.  This may be a simpler approach but tends to be less attractive.

FLOORS:
The majority of squeaks in floors are caused by loose floorboards, subflooring, and floor joists as a result of settlement and shrinkage. Most of these squeaks can be easily eliminated or greatly reduced.

Temporary relief from squeaks in plank type floors can often be obtained by brushing a little graphite or talcum powder into the joints of the flooring where the squeaks are coming from.

When access to the underside is available, there are two fairly simple methods for reducing floor squeaks.  The first method is shown to the right.  Determine the location of the squeak.  Typically you will find space or movement between the joist and flooring.  At this point, insert a wood shim until all components are snug.  drive a screw through the joist and shim into the flooring above, being careful to choose the correct angle so you do not penetrate through the top surface of the flooring.

Inexpensive brackets as shown to the left, can be purchased at most home supply stores.  After finding the trouble spot, screw the mounting plate with the threaded rod to the subfloor.  Slide the top part of the  bracket over the rod and catch the bottom hook of the bracket on the bottom of the joist.  Place the nut on the threaded rod and tighten until all the components are snug.

If the floor covering (i.e. carpet, tile vinyl) above is ever removed, exposing the subfloor, additional screws can be applied as needed to tighten all the floor components. 

When you do not have access to the underside of the floor, repairs must be done from above.  This is simple when floor coverings are being replaced. All you have to do is add screws in the area of the squeak.  However, when there is carpeting installed, you may not want to remove it to eliminate the squeak.  There are devices on the market that can accomplish the repair without removal of carpeting.  One such device is called the Squeeeeek-No-More Kit.  The kit contains a screw driver bit, pilot screw to assist in finding the floor joists, the depth control fixture and special breakaway screws.  As shown in the image to the right, place the depth control fixture over the joist nearest the squeak.  Wrap a breakaway screw with transparent tape to prevent snagging the carpet and drive it into the floor through the depth control fixture.

Once the breakaway screw has been driven into place, the top portion must be broken off below the subfloor.

Remove the depth control fixture and place it on its side, inserting the top of the screw into the slot, as shown in the image to the left.  Rock the depth control fixture from side to side until the screw head breaks off below the subfloor.

Hardwood floors often develop squeaks.  A device manufactured for hardwood floor squeaks is called the Counter-Snap Kit.  It comes with a depth control fixture, a screwdriver bit and breakaway screws.  

After locating the troubled area, drill a pilot hole with a 3/32-in. diameter bit.  Insert the the breakaway screw through the depth control fixture and into the pilot hole.  Drive the screw into the flooring until it breaks off below the surface of the hardwood floor. 

To finish off the appearance, fill the pilot hole with wood putty.

The two devices shown above can be found in many of the larger home improvement supply stores.

The information contained on this page is not exhaustive and is meant to be only an overview.  For complete documentation on this subject please contact local or State heath officials.