Nanne
Building a Reputation

How to fix squeaky stairs?

IMG_0151.jpeg

No access underneath the stairs, thread is 30mm (measured from the nose). I’m assuming the actual thread would be perhaps 20-25mm? Risers 20mm? 
What size of a pocket hole screw (Kreg) do I need to join thread & riser by using Kreg Pocket Hole 320v 



MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Squeaky Stairs

Hi @Nanne,

 

Just to clarify—were you intending to drill the pocket holes upwards through the riser into the underside of the tread? If so, you might find that quite tricky due to the limited space. It can be difficult to get your drill in at the right angle to both create the pocket holes and drive in the screws, especially if the next tread above is too close. Pocket holes are usually drilled at a shallow angle, and there may simply not be enough clearance in this situation.

 

If you're painting the stairs, one possible alternative could be to drill straight through the face of the tread into the riser. That would give you a more accessible angle for fixing, and you could fill the holes afterward for a clean finish.

 

As for the Kreg screws, the size you use will depend on how close you're able to position the jig to the underside of the tread lip. There are a few options available, so it might help to measure your jig placement and refer to Kreg’s screw length guide to match the material thickness. Let us know how you're planning to go about it, and we can help fine-tune the approach. 

 

You might wish to pick up a Kreg jig and position it under the lip of the tread. Due to the angle of drilling, I think you'll find there is not enough space.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Mitchell

 

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Nanne
Building a Reputation

Re: Squeaky Stairs

Hi Mitchell 

I was hoping to drill pocket holes from the thread into riser, after removing carpet the stairs are creaky.

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Squeaky Stairs

If that's the case then you could use pocket holes and the Kreg jig @Nanne, but you can also just pre-drill and fix a screw straight down through the tread into the riser. No need to have the screw at an angle with a jig. That's really only used for cabinet making.

 

Mitchell

 

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Nanne
Building a Reputation

Re: Squeaky Stairs

I was thinking of using Kreg jig at the back of thread joining a riser and then if required trim head screws at the front to join thread & riser?

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Squeaky Stairs

Hi @Nanne,

 

I'm not sure I completely understand where you are planning to screw.

 

Can you mark on your photo where you are planning to put the screws?

 

I can't really see a way that a pocket hole screw would be usable at the back of the tread as risers sit on top of the tread. Did you maybe mean you would drill sideways into the stringer?

 

 

Squeaking treads come from friction with the surface beneath, so the standard way to address this issue is to drill down through the top of the tread into the support beneath. Drilling sideways into the stringer would likely help this.

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Jacob

 

Nanne
Building a Reputation

Re: Squeaky Stairs

Screenshot from 2025-04-14 13-57-48.png

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Squeaky Stairs

Hi @Nanne,

 

Apologies, I understand now.

 

Assuming there is sufficient material behind that back edge of the tread, then this should help.

 

Definitely worth a try.

 

Jacob

 

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