New Hardwood stairs

[GeorgeB3]

Hi,

I have been working on this project for 3-4 weeks. I had a set of stairs covered with carpet and I wanted to install hardwood. I removed the carpet and original raisers and treads and left the original stringer which was in good condition. I installed new solid maple treads and raisers as well as a false stringer which I had to cut around the existing stringer. I had installed the steps with PL Premium glue and 16 gauge nails. After installation the first two stairs have a "cracking" noise which occur only after the stairs have not been stepped on for some time. After you step on them the noise goes away. It's annoying and I cannot seem to find the problem. It is probably because I did not use enough glue. I installed the treads and raisers directly on the stringers without and wedges.
Any suggestions?
George

 

[Symptoms]

George - do you still have access to the underside of the staircase? If so, install the wedges you left out to see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't - use glue blocks. Also, when you're under there get a guinea-pig (not a real one - too light ) to mount the stairs whist you try to localise the problem.