Creaking stairs: is this an acceptable glue block?

[jff]

Hi,

I live in a fairly new 3-storey house where quite a few stairs are creaking. Since it is still under NHBC warranty, I have requested the inspection from an NHBC inspector. The claim was rejected on the grounds that the carpet was not installed by the builder and the grippers on the stairs were nailed; the inspector concluded that nailing the grippers caused damage on the stairs. He did not open any of the stairs to inspect if that was indeed the case.

Since then, I have opened a small inspection window in one of the creaking stairs. Inside, I found this piece of wood:

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• jff
• 31 Aug 2013
• 1

I suspect that this was being used as a glue block to secure the tread to the riser. However, in all the photos I have seen about glue blocks and wedges, I have never seen anything like this! Moreover, it appears that they have used massive nails to secure it to the stair, causing the wood to split:

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• jff
• 31 Aug 2013
• 1

What I would like to ask is: is this a standard glue block? Could this be considered sub-standard work by the builder? In my opinion, using this block of wood as a glue block and nailing it as shown is a recipe for disaster and should be considered sub-standard work. What do you think?

Many thanks in advance for your views on this matter!

 

[tony1851]

Why not fix the stairs yourself?

 

[big-all]

nailing carpet grips on should not damage the stairs

did they force the carpet between the riser and back off the treads??

 

[jff]

Why not fix the stairs yourself?

In the context of this thread, who fixes the stairs is irrelevant. I am trying to determine if the work performed by the builder is sub-standard or not.

If you prefer, I can rephrase the question as: if I fix the stairs, and use a glue block as shown in the pictures (with the same nails, etc), will I be doing an acceptable work?

Thanks for your reply.

 

[jff]

nailing carpet grips on should not damage the stairs

did they force the carpet between the riser and back off the treads??

Thanks for your reply. No, I don't think that they forced the carpet. I know that NHBC has refused similar claims using the same reason: nailed grippers to stairs.

What do you think about the glue blocks?

 

[big-all]

the glue hasnt penetraited the wood on the stairs as the surface is smooth
is it the same on both surfaces
is the risers/treads wood/ply or wood /mdf

 

[jff]

the glue hasnt penetraited the wood on the stairs as the surface is smooth
is it the same on both surfaces
is the risers/treads wood/ply or wood /mdf

I believe that both the risers and treads are MDF.

Here's a picture from the inside of the stair:

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• jff
• 31 Aug 2013
• 1

You can see that there is some glue there.

Thanks

 

[big-all]

mmm mdf is great but not for stairs
i have never used mdf for stairs as its not the best material
its made from wood fibers glued together and as we know glue dosnt stick to well to glue

ok i will have to bow out as i have never made or repaired an mdf staircase

 

[tony1851]

Can't tell the size of the block from your pics, but it does look a little on the small side.
Traditionally, glue blocks were also screwed to the riser/tread.
Nailing would not be as effective on mdf.
Better-quality stairs are usually made with softwood treads and plywood risers, which are also better materials for screwing the blocks in.

Personally, I doubt you will get anywhere going for the builder or NHBC, that's why I suggested having a go yourself.

 

[tony1851]

(double post)