Household Repairs Risers deeply scarred. This happens if treads are unusually shallow. For a temporary repair, fill scars with plastic wood. For a more permanent repair, cover the risers with some material that will not scar so badly as wood: tempered hardboard, vinyl flooring, linoleum, laminated plastic. Glue to risers with appropriate glue.

Treads badly worn. Call in a carpenter.

Balusters loose. If balusters are set into treads, gently loosen them from the handrail, pull out of treads and glue with Weldwood plastic resin glue. If balusters are nailed to top of treads, drill small holes diagonally through them into the treads and then anchor with finishing nails. Fasten loose balusters to the handrail with glue.

Newel post wobbly. Additional nails and glue should strengthen it. Or screw to bottom tread with iron angles.

Stairs creak, squeak. If you can get under them, drive thin wedges (shingles) between risers and treads and into grooves of stringer. Otherwise, nail treads to risers with cement-coated finishing nails and squirt powdered graphite into other joints. (But note that graphite is messy and the treatment doesn't last forever.)

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December 3, 2008