Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 1/16/2007

Question
i have a simple wooden staircase which i am in the process of stripping to stain and varnish. The treads are very noisy (creaky) is there a way to stop this, the house is a traditional 3 bed semi built in the late 1940,s

Answer
Noisy stairs are caused by two issues, both as a result of the tread's ability to move.
1.  There is a nail that "slightly" misses the framing stringer or structure, so when one walks on the tread the nail rubs against the wood.
2.  The tread rubs against the riser causing a creaking sound or has as much as an 1/8" void to cause enough movement to creak.

To fix these, I would recommend prying up each "culprit" tread (if you can), use Liquid Nails at the stringers where they contact the tread, then re-nail the treads down with finish nails.  If you carpet the stairs, I would use a 3" cabinet or wood screws to secure the tread to the stringers.  

The above will usually take care of any squeaky problem.  You may wish to do some shimming if there are voids in the contacts.