Common staircase complaints (and how to fix them)

Helping you climb from floor to floor, you’d be nowhere without it. But with such regular use comes several problems.

No matter how well you maintain your apples and pears, you’re bound to experience some issues, from creaky steps, wobbly handrails, and worn-out treads, to name a few.

Not to worry, though, our specialists here at Pear Stairs walk you through how to solve these annoying issues (and others!).

 

Creaky stairs

This is one of the most common (and irritating) issues that arise with our staircases.

There are many reasons this can happen but the most likely cause is loose or damaged stair treads and/or risers. The culprit rubs against other stair parts and causes a squeaking or creaking sound. And the longer you leave it, the louder and more vexing it becomes.

The solution?

You can either tighten the screws that attach the treads to the risers or apply an adhesive between them to provide additional stability and eliminate the sound.

 

Wobbly handrails

A loose, wobbly handrail is a major safety concern, especially if you live with young children or elderly adults, in which case it should be addressed as soon as possible.

This issue occurs when the handrail brackets become loose or otherwise damaged and it can be fixed by tightening the screws that hold the brackets in place, or replacing the brackets altogether if they’re broken.

If you find you’re still having issues, you could then add extra brackets to provide additional support for your handrail.

 

Uneven or damaged treads

Most often happening as a result of heavy daily foot traffic or improper installation, uneven stair treads are another serious hazard that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

The best way to solve this issue is to replace any treads that are worn down and damaged and readjust existing treads to ensure everything is level.

If you aren’t confident tackling DIY jobs, it’s best to hire a professional to ensure a high-quality, long-lasting result.

 

Poor lighting

Proper lighting is a must for navigating your staircase safely, especially at night or in poorly lit areas of your home.

To brighten your stairs, there are a few different solutions:

 

  • Recessed stair spotlights – For a soft glow, you can fit small, wall-mounted LED spotlights flush along the wall.
  • LED strips – For a more modern, sleek appearance, install LED strip lighting underneath each step.
  • Hanging pendant lights – If you prefer a more elegant aesthetic, you could hang pendant lights above landing spaces to light the way.

 

Need more expert advice?

Whether you’ve got another issue we’ve not mentioned in this post or are planning a full staircase renovation, our team can help.

With decades of experience in designing and manufacturing staircases, we’re the best-placed team to offer advice and recommendations when it comes to your apples and pears.

Contact our experts today by calling 01938 553 311 or emailing [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.