How To Repair Basement Stairs

While basement stairs may not be as frequently traversed and use compared to the other stairs found in your home, there will come a time when it will wear down and exhibit some type of damage. More often than not, the damage will be a simple expansion of the tread and the rise since these are made of wood. The heat and the cold will normally expand and contract the wooden tread or step, which will then become loose against the riser. This will result in squeaking sounds as well as instability when weight is put on those steps. To avoid more work in the future, it is vital that you repair these treads or steps as soon as you notice the damage. Here are some tips on how to do it.

  • Find the damaged steps. The best way to locate the damaged steps is by applying your body weight on each step of the stairway. You should be able to feel if any of the steps are loose and unstable. In most cases, you will hear a creak or a squeak. Whatever is the case, if you notice anything out of the ordinary, take note of those steps as they will be the focus of your repairs.
  • Underneath each step or tread will be a riser. This will be made of wood as well. The step should be nailed in place to it. You can examine the step and try to pry the board off. If it wiggles or is loose, then that particular assembly will need minor repairs.
  • Repair the minor damage. Alright, now that you have determined the steps on the stairs that will need repair, it is time to actually do the repairs. If the step or tread board is still in good shape, then a simple hammering of additional nails to secure them flush on the riser’s top part is all that needs to be done. It is recommended to remove any loose nails if this is a possibility. If it is, replace the old nails with new ones. The same goes if the assembly of your stairs is screwed on. Simply remove the old screws and set new ones. In addition, bore in new screw holes and add more screws to secure the board firmly in place.
  • Aside from nailing it down, you may want to apply some wood glue in between the bottom part of the step and the top part of the rise for added security.
  • On the other hand, if the tread or riser has gaps, cracks, or holes, you can repair these by adding wood fillers, which is a cross of wood glue and cement. Simply apply it into the gaps and allow it to dry completely.

Now, if the board’s crack is too severe or if it is deteriorated, you may want to replace the board. This will take some basic carpentry as you will have to pry off the board and replace it with a new one cut down to the exact dimensions. In some cases, replacing the riser may be required as well.


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