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Saturday, May 25, 2024
Maplewood Pool Opens Today!
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
508 Rosewood Dr # 508 Union Twp., NJ 07083
Welcome to Hickory Manor, a highly sought-after community in Union, NJ. This stunning townhouse is a perfect blend of elegance and comfort, offering 2 spacious bedrooms, a versatile loft, and 2.5 pristine bathrooms. Step inside to discover all-hardwood flooring that adds warmth and sophistication throughout the home. The open concept living and dining areas are ideal for both entertaining and everyday living. Upstairs, the Primary suite is a tranquil retreat featuring an en-suite full bath and separate shower as well as a walk-in closet space. A second bedroom offers plenty of room for family or guests, while the additional full bath ensures convenience and privacy. The loft area provides a flexible space that can be used as a home office, or guest accommodation or family room Additional highlights include a convenient half bath on the main floor, a laundry area second floor a built-in garage and an additional dedicated parking spot. The community of Hickory Manor offers beautifully landscaped grounds. Residents can also enjoy the community POOL, perfect for relaxing and cooling off during the summer months and use of the community center to host a larger event. Located close to shopping, dining, and major transportation routes, this townhouse combines the best of suburban tranquility with urban accessibility.Schedule a viewing today and experience the exceptional lifestyle that awaits at Hickory Manor.Dont miss the opportunity to make this exquisite property your new home.
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 3
Square feet: 1,855
Price: $525,000
For more information about this property, please contact MARK SLADE at 973-762-5400 or sladehomes@gmail.com. You can also text 8430879 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).
See more listings at: https://markslade.kw.com/
MLS ID: 3902997
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Saturday, May 18, 2024
MAPLEWOODSTOCK 2024 July 13 and 14
article re-posted from Village Green NJ
Maplewoodstock Music and Art Festival 2024: Headliners and Schedule
The annual free two-day festival will take place on Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14.
From Maplewoodstock Volunteer Committee:
The annual free two-day Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14, 2024. Music begins at noon each day and ends around 9:30 PM.
Remember Jones will bring Saturday night to a rockin’ close.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country headlines the festival on Sunday night.
Preceding each of those acts are Nation Beat on Saturday evening and local phenom The Tia Holt Experience on Sunday
These headliners follow a full slate of local/regional bands each chosen from over 100 band applications from across the tri-state region in a variety of styles and genres from rock to reggae, R&B to jazz, grunge to Latin and pop to Americana.
National touring artist Remember Jones is heralded as “New Jersey’s most ambitious song interpreter” and recently one of “Jersey Shore’s Most Influential People of 2024” by the Asbury Park Press (along side Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Smith, and more). Remember Jones is a captivating showman, soul/pop singer, storyteller, and bandleader, who keeps audiences on their toes and emotions in the moment.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country is an organic rock band aesthetic with plenty of roadhouse twang, a showcase for Donato’s instrumental virtuosity, and facility for melodically infectious songcraft. Bridging Nashville and the Great West, Kentucky and mid-60s norther California, tie-dye and plaid.
Nation Beat, led by a local music educator Scott Kettner, harvests the fruit of 500 years or cultural crossbreeding resulting in a 21st century mash-up of the thunderous grooves of northeastern Brazil with the strolling swagger of New Orleans via NYC.
The Tia Holt Experience is the Voice you need to hear and the Experience you need to have. With every note, they soar to new heights, delivering an unforgettable performance.
Daniel Donato
First held in 2004, Maplewoodstock is a free event held in Memorial Park in a natural grass amphitheater, steps away from the Maplewood train station (NJ Transit) and the charming village of Maplewood. In addition to 9 hours of music each day, it also features approximately 20 food vendors, 60 art vendors, 20 Kidzone vendors, and a beer and wine garden (in partnership with SO Elks Lodge #1154) featuring beverages from regional brewers and vintners.
In addition to being free, Maplewoodstock is committed to being accessible and open-armed to all our attendees. The festival will offer handicapped parking spots, handicapped accessible port-o-potties, a Senior Tent in partnership with SOMA’s Two Towns for All Ages, a Deaf Zone sign language interpretation area staffed by volunteers, and a sensory “chill out” tent for those who might need respite from our sights, sounds, and crowds. Several of our food vendors will offer vegetarian and vegan foods. Furthermore, the South Orange Volunteer Rescue Squad will be on-site for any medical issues.
Remember Jones
With much support from local businesses and t-shirt sales, Maplewoodstock continues to be true to its mission of presenting the best possible musical show and gathering for the community and of the community with nationally known closing acts and a collection of regional bands with strong Maplewood and South Orange representation.
Come sit with your friends and neighbors; listen and dance to the music; buy a special item from an arts and crafts vendor; purchase lunch or dinner from a food vendor; wear a Maplewoodstock t-shirt; check out the Beer Garden. Hang with long-time friends; meet new friends.
Nation Beat
While the Township of Maplewood strongly supports Maplewoodstock, this is not a Township event. The festival is managed and funded by the Maplewoodstock Volunteer Committee through ads, sponsorships, and sales. For more information, band schedules, inquiries, or if you wish to donate or seek an opportunity to advertise or sponsor, please visit www.maplewoodstock.com.
As we have been doing for the past several years, The Mark Slade Homes Team at Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct, will be a lead sponsor for this annual event. Mark Slade has told us, "This is always my favorite event of the year and a highlight for the goings on in Maplewood, NJ. The event is always open to everyone and there is no charge to come out an enjoy a day of music, with food vendors and more. One of my favorite experiences was that Joan Osborne came to sing one year and she arrived on NJ Transit's Mid-Town Direct trains from NYC to Maplewood."
Mark Slade Keller Williams 917.797.5059 Good Homes Selling a Maplewood/South Orange/West Orange area home involves many steps and having an experienced Maplewood New Jersey Real Estate Agent and Realtor®, specializing in the Bedroom Communities of New York City in Essex/Union County— Millburn, Short Hills, Montclair, West Orange, South Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Springfield, Summit, Madison, Chatham, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Cranford and Westfield--by your side will make the transaction run a lot smoother. I would love to be your Maplewood/South Orange New Jersey Area Real Estate Professional! I assist both buyers and sellers in the Bedroom Communities of New York City, mostly served by NJ Transit’s Mid-Town Direct Train Lines, offering commutes of 45minute or less to NY Penn Station, with either the purchase and or sale of residential real estate.
As an Accredited Buyer’s Agent (ABR), I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying process. From start to finish, I listen to your needs and desires in what you would like and take the information you give me to find you home. My GO-TO team can provide you the best in Real Estate advice with regard to attorney choices, Home Inspectors and Mortgage Loan Officers
I am also a Luxury specialist (CLHMS), I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying and selling process. Not only does this extra training help me better understand this upper echelon in real estate, its benefit include a special luxury website: www.njluxhomes.com and a corresponding worldwide luxury network that helps to put luxury buyers and sellers together.
As your Maplewood/South Orange/ West Orange New Jersey listing agent I am well versed on as your local expert in all things in the West Orange, Maplewood and South Orange area Real Estate Market. You can expect personalized service that includes a detailed consultation on how to best position your Mid-Town Direct home to be competitive in today’s market with training to provide my clients with an in-depth Advanced Comparative Market analysis, and advice on staging. As my office’s technology officer as well as both a Zillow Platinum Premier and Trulia Premier agent, I use the latest and most up-to-date marketing methods to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible. Being your New Jersey Real Estate Agent and Realtor ® not only involves just finding the home or selling the home, but being your guide, negotiator, advisor and advocate and making sure that your needs and goals are met. Being your New Jersey Essex/Union County area Realtor® (with a little bit of Morris County thrown in for good measure) is one of my truest passions, and “Helping You Find Your Dream Home” is my number one priority. Don’t forget These Helpful Sites:
www.bedroomcommunitiesofnyc.com
www.bedroomcommunitiesofnyc.com
www.goodhomesforgoodpeople.com
Let's work together to find you find your Dream Home!
A picturesque town in Essex County, Maplewood is located on the
East Branch of the Rahway River. Originally consisting of farms, mills and
orchards, Maplewood is now a great mix of residential and commercial areas,
culminating in the jewel of a downtown village and coming together to create a
charming, tight-knit and diversified community. Maplewood has predominantly
Colonial and Tudor style homes with sprawling porches and ample greenery, but
you can also find some Victorians and a range of more modern style construction
on its beautiful tree lined streets. Maplewood is a diverse town with 6
elementary schools and prominent municipal building designed by famous
architects, Guilbert and Betelle. In the center of town, famed landscape
architects, the Olmstead Brothers, created the breathtaking Memorial Park; not
to be overlooked is Ricalton Square, nestled between the train station and the
downtown shopping; this area is frequently used for events including a
Halloween Parade with hayrides and petting zoos, as well as featuring replica
homes during the Winter Holiday Season. The town offers many activities to its
residents from camps in the summer, arts and crafts classes, a public pool
(with 4 pools ranging from a “baby” pool to toddler pool to large lap pool and
a diving tank) and a farmers market when in season. There is even an annual
musicalpalooza--Maplewoodstock—featuring a variety of bands and musical styles,
showcasing local and national bands with booths for local businesses to set up.
The Village, also known as Maplewood Center, is a quaint, downtown shopping
district with everything from restaurants with foods from all over the world,
bakeries, dance studios, gyms, bookstores, a movie theater and bookstores. With
its large variety of cuisines to choose from, Maplewood recently started a
yearly town-wide Restaurant Week with over 30 eateries participating. Easily
accessible by its throughways and the New Jersey Transit, it's no surprise
Maplewood has been ranked several times as one of the most desirable places to
live in America by a number of surveys. Let's work together to find you your
Dream Home!
HOME.COMMUNITY.GIVING.GRATITUDE
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
19 Fernwood Rd Maplewood Twp., NJ 07040
This surprisingly spacious two bedroom/one bath apartment has beautiful hardwood floors and more. The kitchen is a good size--is eat-in--and features Stainless Steel appliances and also offers a pantry. There is a good size living room, a formal dining room with a gorgeous multi-colored art glass accent, a renovated bathroom, two bedrooms and a den/sunroom. You are one block from Borden Park if you like a large field to hang out in, play some sports, play tennis or enjoy a little playground area. You are 1.5 blocks away from both True Salvage Cafe and Sippy Dippy for Ice cream, as well as the jitney stop which will take you to the Maplewood NJ Transit Train station with service to NY Penn Station. Landlord pays for heat, water, trash collection and sewer fees. Tenant to pay for electric and gas for cooking. There is a backyard that can be shared. One parking spot in driveway, which is shared with landlord.
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Price: $2,500
For more information about this property, please contact MARK SLADE at 973-762-5400 or sladehomes@gmail.com. You can also text 8422315 to 67299 (Message and Data Rates May Apply, see terms and privacy policy).
See more listings at: https://markslade.kw.com/
MLS ID: 3901655
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Friday, May 3, 2024
Greasing the Proverbial Squeaky Wheel: Actually Dealing With A Squeaking Bed, Wood Floors and/or Stairs
Got a email with an article about fixing a squeaking bed and figured it would be an even better idea to put together a few articles (that are being reposted and credited, including links) to deal with a homes most common annoying squeaking problems.
SQUEAKING BED: 15 Easy Fixes for a Squeaky Bed by Bob Vila: (https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-fix-a-squeaky-bed/) By: Tony Carrick, Bob Vila Staff
Tossing and turning because of the incessant creaks and squeaks your bed is making? Here’s how to get some peace. We (Bob Vila) may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Few things can rob us of much-needed sleep like a squeaky bed. Because these noises can come from a variety of sources, they can be notoriously difficult to troubleshoot. Faulty springs in an innerspring mattress (or in the accompanying box spring mattress) are sometimes the culprits. In other instances, the problem isn’t the mattress or box spring at all, but loose connections in the bed frame. Squeaks can even be caused by the bed’s feet rubbing against the floor! Wherever the noises are coming from, the following methods will help you get rid of the bed squeaking so you can finally get some rest.
1. Tighten up loose joints. Tightening the screw
Photo: istockphoto.com
Loose joints are a common cause of a squeaky bed. So if you’re curious about how to stop a bed from squeaking, be sure to check all the bolts on your bed frame to see if they might be the source of your problem. If any bolts are loose, use a wrench to tighten them. If you cannot manage to tighten a bolt securely, add a washer between the frame and the bolt to ensure a snug (and noise-free) fit.
2. Use socks to line bed slats. Cold winter weather may require socks worn to bed to keep your feet warm, a wintertime concept.
Photo: istockphoto.com
This trick will help you make use of some of your mismatched socks: First, lift the mattress off the bed frame, then line each slat of the frame with old socks (a sheet or an old T-shirt works too). The additional fabric serves as a buffer between the mattress and the metal or wood bed frame, which eliminates any friction points and muffles noises.
3. Apply wax to squeaky spots. Testing the Mattress for the bed.
Photo: istockphoto.com
If you can identify the exact spot that the squeak is coming from, you can quash it with a little wax. An easy way to locate the noisy spot is to move slowly across the bed, listening closely for the squeaky spot. Once you’ve located the joint that’s causing problems, rub a wax candle rub over the contact points. It may take a few coats of wax to get rid of the bed squeaking sound.
4. Lubricate bed joints with WD-40.
WD-40 with metal bed frame Photo:
istockphoto.com
Here’s where a fully stocked garage will come in handy: Once you’ve located the noisy spot in your bed, use WD-40 to lubricate the joint that’s making the noise. If you don’t have any WD-40 on hand, vegetable oil will work in a pinch. Of course, this method works only if your bed frame is metal. Before you start spraying, lay an old towel or rag on the floor under the bed to catch drips and protect the floor or carpet. I have researched and can also advise of the following options, in addition to WD-40 and vegetable oil, as follows:
These same alternatives can come in handy for solving other squeaky issues (see bonus section at end of this blog post.)
5. Cushion loose spots with cork.
If you have a wooden bed frame, you don’t really have any bolts to tighten or joints to grease. Instead, try wedging small bits of cork between the mattress and the portions of the bed frame from where the squeak emanates. (You can also place cork around the pegs.) The cork cushioning will help tighten any loose spots and reduce noise.
6. Ensure your bed is on even flooring.
Low angle shot from under the bed showing my slippers, cuddly toy and trendy wallpaper. Lots of room to add text etc.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Don’t rule out the possibility that the squeak in your bed could actually be caused by uneven floorboards or the legs of your bed frame. Even things out by slipping a towel or folded sheet under the legs of the frame to ensure that they all touch the floor. Another option is to relocate your bed to a spot where the floorboards are even.
7. Place a book beneath the mattress.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Once you’ve found the part of the bed frame responsible for the offending squeak, place a hard object, such as a book, beneath the mattress in that exact spot. You may have to test a couple of places to get it right. Once you do, you should notice a reduction in noise and, with a good-quality mattress, you shouldn’t experience a decline in sleeping comfort.
8. Utilize caster cups for squeaky wheels.
Photo: Amazon.com
If casters under the bed frame are responsible for the squeaks, you’re in luck. The fix couldn’t be easier. Stop by your local hardware store and pick up rubber caster cups to put beneath each wheel. For as little as $2 each, they’ll reduce the noise from those squeaky wheels—and fast.
9. Oil your box springs.
Photo: istockphoto.com
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why does my bed creak when I move?” Try this. Flip over the box spring, then cut a small hole in the fabric that covers the springs. Spray WD-40 on each individual spring (or anywhere there’s metal) to lubricate the areas that could be causing the squeaks. Use a stapler to reseal the backing, and put the box spring and mattress back on the frame.
10. Rotate your mattress.
Photo: istockphoto.com
By flipping the head of the mattress to the foot of the bed, you can slightly alter the way weight balances on the bed frame. Sometimes that’s all that it takes to eliminate a squeak. After you’ve rotated your mattress, give it a quick test. If the squeak is gone, stretch back and relax—you may now get a well-deserved night’s rest.
11. Try placing plywood between the mattress and bed frame.
If that squeak persists, try placing a piece of ¼-inch plywood between the mattress and the bed frame. The squeak will stiffen the mattress, minimizing pressure on any bad springs in the box spring so they can’t flex and squeak. RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Full-Size Mattresses
12. Place felt tape on a wood bed frame.
Photo: Amazon.com
A wooden bed frame has two pieces of wood called stringers that connect to the foot board and headboard with a metal hook. When the bed moves, the stringers rub the headboard and foot board, causing the offending noise. Adding felt tape to the areas where the stringers make contact with the foot board and headboard should eliminate the noise.
13. Top your mattress.
Photo: istockphoto.com
If you can’t locate and eliminate the squeak, try using a mattress topper to create a buffer. Most squeaks are caused by pressure placed on an inner spring. A mattress topper absorbs much of the pressure before it reaches that faulty spring. The added layer will also help muffle the sound of the squeak. RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Upholstered Beds of 2023
14. Invest in a memory foam mattress.
Healthy sleeping concept. Selective focus at part of new orthopedic mattress with memory foam or coconut fiber. Comfortable bed in hotel room and modern apartment
Photo: istockphoto.com
If all else fails and the squeak is keeping you up at night, it might be time to replace the noisy mattress and squeaky box spring. Consider getting a memory foam mattress for your next bed. Memory foam doesn’t use inner springs or a box spring, so you won’t have to worry about a noisy mattress.
15. Replace damaged nails and screws.
Photo: istockphoto.com
One common reason for a squeaky bed frame is a problem with the screws. If stripped or damaged, screws can cause bed squeaks because they fail to hold the bed together securely. Removing any damaged nails or screws and replacing them with new ones of the same size and type may resolve the problem.
FLOORS: How to Fix Squeaky Floors How to Fix Squeaky Floors from a Home Depot Blogpost (https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-fix-squeaky-floors/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90ad245bee)
Getting rid of a squeaking hardwood floor.
Difficulty Intermediate Duration Under 2 hours
Though they are a nuisance, squeaky floors and stairs can be fixed quickly and affordably. Floors and stairs squeak when wooden floorboards or structural elements rub against each other, when the bridging between joists flexes under traffic or when floorboards have not been properly nailed to the subfloor. Learning how to fix squeaky floors is simply a matter of determining which area the problem is coming from. Depending on the type of creaky floors you have, your technique could change. This guide will teach you how to fix squeaky floors with simple but thorough step-by-step instructions.
1. Understand Squeaky Floors and the Job Ahead Person walking on hardwood flooring.
Often, problems with squeaky floors are due to the loosening of the hardware holding the floor in place. When nails or screws no longer fit tightly, boards can rub together. That noise you hear is the sound produced by rubbing. The design of your home will help determine how to address the squeak. This guide starts with a quick method to fix a squeaky floor that you can use anywhere. You can move on to the other steps if it doesn't stop the sound. However, some of the following steps may not be possible in your house. If you have a finished basement, skip steps 4 through 6 because you need access to the underside of the floor to do them. Step 7 will be the best starting point for you if you can’t get to the bottom of the floor. For squeaky floors below carpeting, move on to Step 8.
2. Lubricate Hardwood Floors Person using lubricant on a floor
Lubricating hardwood floors is a quick and easy way to stop squeaks. To lubricate means to add a substance that reduces friction, and the product you use to lubricate is a lubricant. Simply cutting down on friction may be enough to stop the squeak. Give it a try by sprinkling a powdered graphite lubricant over the squeaky spot. Cover the powder with paper towels, so it stays in place. Put on your shoes and use your feet to move the lubricant into the grooves between the flooring. Move your foot back and forth and in circles for a few minutes. Still hear the squeak? Repeat the process two or three or more times. If the sound is still there, go on to the next step. Tip: Use a handheld vacuum cleaner to clean up any leftover lubricant.
3. Pinpoint the Source of the Squeak Person stepping on hardwood flooring
First, find a helper to continue fixing a squeaky floor. You’ll need their assistance locating the squeak. Have your helper stay upstairs and walk on the squeaky spot while you head to the basement. Stand on a step ladder and use a flashlight to locate the area of the squeak. Check out the squeaky spot. Sometimes, a long nail that installers left exposed can cause the sound. You’ll usually be able to spot a problem nail right away because it will be visible beside the wood. If you see one, use a pair of bolt cutters to cut it off close to the ceiling. See if this fixes the problem and move on to the next step if the sound continues.
4. Fill in Gaps with a Shim Someone filling a gap with a shim.
Instead of a rubbing nail, a gap between the joists and the subfloor may be to blame. The joists are the beams that run below the floor, and the subfloor is the wood that goes on top. Together, the joists and the subfloor support the hardwood floors. When someone walks over the floor in a spot where there’s a space, the subfloor may push down and rub against the joists. Then, you hear the end result as that squeak. Filling in the gap could stop the noise. To do it, you’ll use a small piece of wood called a shim. Put a little construction adhesive on one end of the shim. Then, slide the shim into the gap. If the shim doesn’t slip into place easily, tap it with a claw hammer. Try not to pound, as this could damage the floor. You only need to get the shim in an inch or two. It’s not necessary to slide the shim all the way in. In fact, forcing the whole thing into the gap could worsen the squeak.
5. Drive Screws from Below
For a squeak in just one spot not caused by a gap, try driving in screws from below. Use a power drill make a pilot hole through the subfloor. Then, drill a second smaller pilot hole through the hardwood floor into the subfloor. Have your helper stand in the spot while you drive the screws in with an electric screwdriver. Tip: Be sure you use short screws to avoid having to repair damage if the screw comes through the top of the finished flooring.
6. Cleat the Subfloor
If you see two or more subfloor boards moving when your helper walks, bracing the floor may help the squeak. Bracing means to add another piece of wood to support the floor, so boards move less. To brace, start by measuring the area with a tape measure. Then, cut a 1x4 to the correct length with a circular saw. Use an electric screwdriver to drive drywall screws into the lumber at each end. Another approach is to use steel bridging. Bridging is a long metal support that goes under the subfloor. It comes in various sizes, so choose the length that fits your floor. Then, nail it into place below the subfloor boards. Safety Tip: Wear eye and hearing protection when working with power tools.
7. Drive Screws from Above
If you can’t access the subfloor through the basement, try driving screws into the floor from above. First, drill small pilot holes into the hardwood floor at an angle. Put the hole at least 1/2 inch away from the board's edge for best results. Go through the floor but not into the subfloor. Apply pressure and drive trim screws through the pilot holes into the subflooring. The head should end up below the surface. Fill in the hole with wood filler in a color that matches the floor.
STAIRS: How to Silence Your Squeaky Stairs--From This Old House(https://www.thisoldhouse.com/stairs/21015214/how-to-fix-squeaky-stairs)
Tired of squeaky steps? Identify the source of sound and learn how to fix it to get quiet stairs. By This Old House There are lots of reasons why you don’t want your stairs to squeak. It announces to the entire family, for one, when you’re heading down to the kitchen in the dark for a midnight snack. Not to mention the fact that it can be a bit spooky in the dark. So unless you rely on your stairs to let you know about tardy teenagers coming home past their curfew, you probably find the squeaking a constant irritation.
It takes dozens of separate pieces to build a hardwood staircase. Stairs are made up of treads and risers—the flat steps and vertical kick plates you can see—as well as stringers, the saw-tooth pieces of wood that support the stairs from underneath.
Why Do Stairs Squeak?
With all the wooden parts, it’s pretty much inevitable that stairs will eventually start to squeak. Unlike our own ever-tightening joints, age tends to bring looseness in stairs. This causes the wooden treads to rub against the risers and stringers, and all of it to grind against the nails and screws that hold it all together. In addition to simply being walked on, seasonal contractions and expansions of the wood further contribute to the loosening of the joints.
It can all add up to a heck of a racket. Stairs that were constructed with glue in addition to nails and screws—less common the older your house is—generally are less prone to squeaking, but wear and time do tend to take their toll.
So what do you do to beat the squeak? Most of the time it really isn’t a difficult problem to fix.
The noise doesn’t mean your stairs are necessarily about to fall down; they just need tightening up. We’ll teach you how to fix squeaky stairs, but first, let’s talk location.
Identify Where the Squeak Is Coming From The anatomy of a staircase:
There are some repairs that involve fastening wood blocks or brackets from underneath, which is good on the one hand because your fix will be invisible. But not everyone has access to the underside of their stairs, and in most cases, tightening on the topside will do the trick.
Test Each Step that Squeaks: First you need to identify where exactly within the step the noise is coming from. Most likely, either the tread is knocking or rubbing against the riser board, the tread has come loose from one or more of its stringers, or both.
Pro2ProTip: Keep in mind that this project will be much easier if you have someone to assist you. You’ll need to test each step that squeaks and repair it individually by refastening the tread to its underlying structure at the source of the squeak.
If It Squeaks in the Front: If the stair squeaks when you step anywhere along the front of the tread, then you can often solve the problem by re-attaching the tread to its riser where they come together. Whether you’re refastening your tread to the riser or to one or more of the stringers, you go about it essentially the same way.
If It Squeaks in the Back: On the other hand, if you find that the stair squeaks in another place, such as along the back or to one side or the other, you probably need to get at the stringers.
How to Tighten Up a Stringer: Tighten the tread to its stringer by driving in two finish nails at opposite 45-degree angles, creating a clamp. You should be able to tell where your stairs’ stringers are by the position of the existing fasteners, or by looking underneath if you happen to have access to the underside of the stairs.
So you’ve determined the layout of the stringers and found the one in particular that needs repairing—say it is the center one.
Here’s what you do: You want to have your helper stand on the stair with one foot on either side of the stringer, compressing them together.
1.You then drill two starter holes into the tread at opposite 45-degree angles. Remember they’re only starter holes, so you don’t want to drill all the way into the structure below. I would use 8- or 10-penny finish nails for this project, and your holes should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the nails.
2. You then drive the nails through your holes into the stringer, setting them a little bit below the surface of the tread. You can then cover the holes with some wood putty.
3. A nail that’s been driven straight down has a tendency to work itself loose and right back out over a period of time because it’s constantly being bounced on and moved around.
4. The opposite 45-degree angles of the nails create a clamp that will hold the step down.
If You Have Carpeted Stairs: If your stairs are carpeted, you’ll obviously need to remove it before you can fix the stairs. The carpet does provide cover for your work, however, so before laying it back down you might want to take the opportunity to screw your riser boards into the stringers, which will really tighten everything up.
I hope by following these relatively simple steps you’ll finally be able to sneak down for that late-night sandwich without waking the whole family. A perfectly quiet staircase will be your only surprise!
BONUS: SQUEAKY DOOR HINGES by Mark Slade
When I moved into my newest home, I found the door hinge in the primary bedroom was incredibly squeaky and I didn't want to wake up my fiance. So, first I tried WD-40 which surprisingly, didn't completely alleviate the problem. So then I purchased a graphite lubricant which is a fine powder that comes in a tube. It did the job, but I warn you it can be a lil messy and harder to clean up.
The best lubricant for squeaky door hinges would be either a silicone spray or lithium grease. Silicon spray is cheaper, easier to apply and potentially less messy than lithium grease, which makes it the winner for us.
Mark Slade Keller Williams 917.797.5059 Good Homes Selling a Maplewood/South Orange/West Orange area home involves many steps and having an experienced Maplewood New Jersey Real Estate Agent and Realtor®, specializing in the Bedroom Communities of New York City in Essex/Union County— Millburn, Short Hills, Montclair, West Orange, South Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Springfield, Summit, Madison, Chatham, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Cranford and Westfield--by your side will make the transaction run a lot smoother. I would love to be your Maplewood/South Orange New Jersey Area Real Estate Professional! I assist both buyers and sellers in the Bedroom Communities of New York City, mostly served by NJ Transit’s Mid-Town Direct Train Lines, offering commutes of 45minute or less to NY Penn Station, with either the purchase and or sale of residential real estate.
As an Accredited Buyer’s Agent (ABR), I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying process. From start to finish, I listen to your needs and desires in what you would like and take the information you give me to find you home. My GO-TO team can provide you the best in Real Estate advice with regard to attorney choices, Home Inspectors and Mortgage Loan Officers
I am also a Luxury specialist (CLHMS), I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying and selling process. Not only does this extra training help me better understand this upper echelon in real estate, its benefit include a special luxury website: www.njluxhomes.com and a corresponding worldwide luxury network that helps to put luxury buyers and sellers together.
As your Award Winning New Jersey listing agent I am well versed on as your local expert in all things in the Real Estate Market. You can expect personalized service that includes a detailed consultation on how to best position your Mid-Town Direct home to be competitive in today’s market with training to provide my clients with best advice on how to maximize the sale price for their home.
In fact, our newly branded Slade Team Listing System--SMART RE-SULTS--has been so successful that it is pending Copyright © and Trademark ™ confirmation from the USPTO.
I use the latest and most up-to-date marketing methods to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible. Being your New Jersey Real Estate Agent and Realtor ® not only involves just finding the home or selling the home, but being your guide, negotiator, advisor and advocate and making sure that your needs and goals are met. Being your New Jersey Essex/Union County area Realtor® (with a little bit of Morris County thrown in for good measure) is one of my truest passions, and “Helping You Find Your Dream Home” is my number one priority. Don’t forget These Helpful Sites:
www.BedroomCommunitiesofNYC.com
www.GoodHomesForGoodPeople.com
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