How Do Stair Treads Stay in Place?

Stair Terminology

• The stair tread is the horizontal piece that people step on when climbing or descending stairs. The vertical part of the step is called a riser. The notched pieces that hold the treads are called stringers. Treads can be perfectly even with the riser or extend slightly beyond them with a finished edging, known as nosing. In stair construction, stairs are generally made of plywood.

Staying in Place

• During construction, stair treads are nailed to the horizontal support stringers and the risers are nailed to the vertical side. These are kept in place securely by cement-coated fasteners. This provides enough of a solid surface if the stairs will be covered in carpet. For aesthetic purposes, sometimes the nose of the stair tread is rounded so the carpet will fold smoothly over the stair tread. The carpet and padding are secured to the plywood with staples. With hardwood stairs, formed sheets of wood are placed over the treads and risers. The stair treads stay in place with a construction-grade bonding agent that adheres the wooden stair tread to the plywood stair tread underneath.

Loose Stair Treads

• Over time, stair treads can work loose and shift. The stair can squeak when stepped on, and it might even move. Stairs that aren't supported by a wall on one side might experience shifting in the stringers, causing misalignment and an uneven stair tread. A hardwood stair tread can simply pull away from the tread underneath as the adhesive bonding agent gets brittle with time.

Repairing Stair Treads

• When stair treads need to be tightened, go to the underside of the stairs. Screw the stair tread more tightly to the stringer with wood screws. You may need to screw a wooden wedge up against the stair tread if the stringer has moved too far. To reattach a hardwood stair tread, apply wood bonding glue to the underside and press it into place. If you are unsure of how to repair a stair tread, contact a professional carpenter.