How to Fix Stair Shims

Shims fine-tune the positions of stair stringers, risers and treads. Stringers are the diagonal pieces of wood on the sides of a staircase holding up the risers and treads. Treads are the horizontal pieces walk upon and risers are the vertical pieces filling in the spaces between the treads. All these components must fit together precisely to create a stairway that is strong, free of squeaks and durable.

Flashlight
Hammer
Glue

Instructions

- 1
  Access the stairway’s underside. If it is over a basement stairway, this may be as simple as walking into the basement. If there is a finished ceiling applied to the stairway’s bottom, cut it off to work on the stairway’s underside.
- 2
  Find the shims used in your stairs with a flashlight. Most shims are about 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide, tapering from one-quarter inch thick down to nothing. They are tapped into the spaces between the stringers, risers and treads. In time, some of these shims may become loose, leading to squeaky or moving stairs.
- 3
  Find the shims used in your stairs with a flashlight. Most shims are about 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide, tapering from one-quarter inch thick down to nothing. They are tapped into the spaces between the stringers, risers and treads. In time, some of these shims may become loose, leading to squeaky or moving stairs.
- 4
  Testing the stairs immediately after adjusting the shims finds out if there are any squeaks or problems. If there are, tap the shims in a little farther.

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