Hi, I'm hoping someone familiar with carpentry can give me few tips on this one....
Obviously, our stairs are creaky. The problem, we have a new baby coming shortly. The two don't necessary go together.
I've attached two photos to which I'll refer.
There is really only one stringer, on the side of the stairs facing the living area. In the photos are the other side facing the exterior of the hour. The treads and risers rest on 1/2" blocks of wood nailed to the wood on the side. I thought this was odd, however, I have since seen it in other houses.
In Stairs1, you see the main block. Above this is a little piece of wood about 1/4" thick which almost seems like a thick shim under the tread.
The riser is clearly visible. In the shadow behind this is another piece of wood about 1/2" x 1/2" behind the riser. This is more clear in Stairs2.
I tried to insert bits of wood underneath the risers hoping this wood prevent the wood from going down each time their stepped on, and therefore straining the nails holding them to the treads. (You may notice that there isn't anything underneath the risers.) I thought this would at least alleviate the sound but it didn't have any effect.
Another thought was to use L brackets to tighten up the connection of the tread to the rise where it points out. But after looking at closer, I'm not so sure that would have much effect.
Any suggestions, other than inserting a stringer up the middle of the steps.
Obviously, our stairs are creaky. The problem, we have a new baby coming shortly. The two don't necessary go together.
I've attached two photos to which I'll refer.
There is really only one stringer, on the side of the stairs facing the living area. In the photos are the other side facing the exterior of the hour. The treads and risers rest on 1/2" blocks of wood nailed to the wood on the side. I thought this was odd, however, I have since seen it in other houses.
In Stairs1, you see the main block. Above this is a little piece of wood about 1/4" thick which almost seems like a thick shim under the tread.
The riser is clearly visible. In the shadow behind this is another piece of wood about 1/2" x 1/2" behind the riser. This is more clear in Stairs2.
I tried to insert bits of wood underneath the risers hoping this wood prevent the wood from going down each time their stepped on, and therefore straining the nails holding them to the treads. (You may notice that there isn't anything underneath the risers.) I thought this would at least alleviate the sound but it didn't have any effect.
Another thought was to use L brackets to tighten up the connection of the tread to the rise where it points out. But after looking at closer, I'm not so sure that would have much effect.
Any suggestions, other than inserting a stringer up the middle of the steps.
