Creaking staircase - let's have your ideas!

[archer1]

Hi there! My wooden staircase creaks like mad when you walk on it. The house is less than 20 years old, so it obviously was a cheap/crummy installation.

As I am planning to have new carpet installed, shortly, I thought I would try and cure the creaking with a combination of screws and Gripfil!

I do not have access from underneath to do a 'proper' job, so would appreciate any comments from any of you who have had success in this task.

Thanks

 

[masona]

I do not have access from underneath to do a 'proper' job, so would appreciate any comments from any of you who have had success in this task.

Can you not get underneath at all or do you mean it's covered with plasterboards?

 

[chappers]

how old is the staircase if its much later than about the thirties then I doubt the risers will be thick enough to screw down into. gripfil and screws if you don't have access to the back is probably your best bet, if you are planning to carpet it you could try fixing some strips of wood to the front of the risers and then fixing down into this.
If however they are creaking because the bottom of the riser is not fixed properly then theres not alot you can do.

 

[Newboy]

If all else fails you can always try the oldest trick in the book - squirt talcum power down all the joints you can find!