I'm finally getting round to trying to sort my creaking stairs problem - more like a crunch than a creak 
The house is only 8 years old.
The bottom six stairs from the hallway aren't too bad - 4 of these I can't really get to from below anyway as they are behind the main electric meters in an understairs cupboard in the kitchen.
By removing the plasterboard in the downstairs toilet I have accessed the worst three steps that come straight off the top landing - [the six steps from the top landing turn immediately on themselves as they go down to meet the bottom six which are straight steps].
By removing two plasterboard panels in the understair cupboard I can access the remaining turns and the first couple of straight bottom steps.
Having read numerous posts on the possible causes and remedies I had hoped to find that several of the horizontal/vertical wedges had come loose - only one was
Photos
The very 1st stair from the top landing has one split block - every other stair looks to be in good nick as do the wedges.
It also has a strange looking wedge which can be moved a full inch left or right - and I need advice on what this is actually there for. [pictures 3.7 & 8]
There is certainly movement when the stairs are walked on - I had my missus walking up and down for ages last night as I followed her footsteps on each stair.
Apart from the physical movement and creaking noises, I couldn't see any play in any of the blocks or wedges as she walked on the individual stairs
I will also be taking up the carpets to give me access from the top but don't expect that to show up much - I was banking on problems being apparent/obvious from below.
I wil post pictures tonight from inside the understair cupboard - but initial inspection is similar to the others - wedges and blocks intact.
Other than removing the old blocks and putting on dozens of new ones [as well as trying to fill in between the treads/risers with wood glue] - what else do you guys recommend?
Regards
Homer
The house is only 8 years old.The bottom six stairs from the hallway aren't too bad - 4 of these I can't really get to from below anyway as they are behind the main electric meters in an understairs cupboard in the kitchen.
By removing the plasterboard in the downstairs toilet I have accessed the worst three steps that come straight off the top landing - [the six steps from the top landing turn immediately on themselves as they go down to meet the bottom six which are straight steps].
By removing two plasterboard panels in the understair cupboard I can access the remaining turns and the first couple of straight bottom steps.
Having read numerous posts on the possible causes and remedies I had hoped to find that several of the horizontal/vertical wedges had come loose - only one was
Photos
The very 1st stair from the top landing has one split block - every other stair looks to be in good nick as do the wedges.
It also has a strange looking wedge which can be moved a full inch left or right - and I need advice on what this is actually there for. [pictures 3.7 & 8]
There is certainly movement when the stairs are walked on - I had my missus walking up and down for ages last night as I followed her footsteps on each stair.
Apart from the physical movement and creaking noises, I couldn't see any play in any of the blocks or wedges as she walked on the individual stairs
I will also be taking up the carpets to give me access from the top but don't expect that to show up much - I was banking on problems being apparent/obvious from below.
I wil post pictures tonight from inside the understair cupboard - but initial inspection is similar to the others - wedges and blocks intact.
Other than removing the old blocks and putting on dozens of new ones [as well as trying to fill in between the treads/risers with wood glue] - what else do you guys recommend?
Regards
Homer
