Squeaky or noisy stairs

Squeaky stairs are annoying and can indicate loosening connections between treads, risers, and stringers. The squeaking occurs when wood components rub against each other or against loose nails and screws. While not usually a structural emergency, the problem worsens over time as movement loosens fasteners further. A carpenter or handyman can identify the source of the squeak — from above or below — and fix it by shimming gaps, reinforcing connections with screws, adding construction adhesive, or replacing worn components.