Any suggestions for fixing a noisy 90s staircase with loose risers and finished drywall underneath?
Asked by Anusha Chatterjee 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 15, 2024
Has anyone tried fixing a creaky staircase before? I need some advice on dealing with this super noisy 90s beauty. The steps are mostly loose. The underside has finished drywall, but it leads to an unfinished basement, so it’s no problem to remove. Just trying to figure out the best approach to tackle this.
Make sure to pull them up and glue them down, or just be grateful you have a warning system for intruders! 😆
Hey , we always catch our toddler trying to sneak out of bed.
Make sure to remove the drywall and check if the stairs treads need tightening or if there are loose nails causing squeaking. Consider replacing the under stairs ceiling with removable tiles for easier maintenance. I’ve used various materials like T-Bar edge molding and FireGuard gyproc for tiles, but you can opt for fiberglass-backed ceiling tiles for a lighter alternative.
My suggestion is to add another stringer under the center of the step from the back. Glue it securely and wedge it up tightly with a 2×4 underneath until the glue dries. Use construction adhesive for this process. This method should eliminate all movement.
Your only choice is to go from underneath
I live in a 1924 home and encountered the same issue. The solution is to remove the carpet runner and inside corner trim. Create a gap between the thread and riser with a shim, then fill it with PL400. Use the shim to push the caulk as far back as possible. Start from the top and avoid using the stairs to allow the caulk to set for 24-48 hours. Finally, reattach the inside corner and runner. You will be pleased with the results.
If you can get underneath, it’s best to secure them with screws
Place a cedar shim filled with carpenter’s glue and trim off the excess (using cedar shingles)
Just a quick side note, but that staircase is really lovely
If you can access the back, try cutting some glue blocks and inserting them where the step and vertical board connect. After that, secure the back of the vertical board to the step with nails or screws. This should eliminate most of the squeaking.
It seems like they forgot to use adhesive, so now you need to find a way to add some glue.
I really prefer having solid stairs.