For most people, going up and down the stairs is a muscle-memory activity that we don't have to think about at all. We use staircases numerous times per day while our minds are completely preoccupied with other matters—and if a problem like a sagging tread or wobbly railing develops, we might notice at first but it doesn't take long before we're just sub-consciously avoiding the trouble area. The issue with that is neglecting those smaller indications that Dallas stair repair is needed can lead to much bigger problems or even safety issues that can pose a threat to your household.

An attic with a wooden floor and exposed walls.
A top-down view of a residential staircase with a landing halfway down where the staircase flips back around as it continues downward.

Your house is built to last, but of course, it can't stay in excellent condition without occasional repairs here and there, and your staircase is certainly no exception to that rule. It takes a lot of abuse from people thundering up and down, sometimes dozens of times per day, so it's not surprising that Dallas stair repair is necessary to take care of issues such as squeaky steps, loose balusters, warped stair stringer and other problems that make your home less comfortable and safe. That applies to steps in your outdoor living space as well as indoors.

Ready to have your staircase restored to attractive, safe, solid condition with help from your local, qualified Dallas handyman? Give the team of service professionals at Mr. Handyman of Dallas a call! We have the experience and skill to take care of your entire residential or commercial property with reliable, service and effective, long-lasting repair solutions.

Why You Need Mr. Handyman’s Stair Repair Services:

Even homeowners who love to diligently care for their property sometimes ignore indications that their property needs stair repair. Dallas, TX residents may be hesitant to call a professional for stair repair services because they aren't sure if their problem is really all that bad, or they may just hope it goes away on its own if they think of it at all. But issues caused by damage and deterioration don't go away, they just continue to slowly worsen over time until a relatively minor problem has turned into a major, time-consuming hassle.

By calling our handyman team to take care of Dallas stair repair before it gets to that point, you can save yourself time, money and stress. Here are some warning signs that indicate you need Mr. Handyman’s services for stair repair in Dallas:

Squeaking or Groaning Noises

If your steps groan or squeal in protest when they're stepped on, it's not you—it's them. Creaky stairs are one of the most common problems our stair repair experts are called to deal with, and that's understandable considering how annoying it is to not even be able to creep downstairs without alerting your entire family that you're up to something.

This happens to all wooden staircases at some point, and most of them are made with at least some wood components. Over time, treads start to pull loose from stringers, or gaps form between treads and risers, and as a result, you end up with a squeaky stair tread. That's, fortunately, a fairly easy fix for your Dallas stair repair handyman.

We'll secure your tread by nailing it back down, filling in the gap to stop the noise, or replacing a warped board altogether so you can get down your steps for a midnight snack undetected by the rest of your household.

Crumbling or Softened Wood

Any wooden structure that suffers from an elevated moisture content due to excessive water exposure is vulnerable to rotting, and wooden staircases are definitely no exception. As you would expect, this particular Dallas stair repair problem is far more common for structures in an outdoor space, such as deck stairs, that are exposed to moisture from rainfall and humidity, but it's certainly not unheard of indoors if there's a roof leak, plumbing leak or some other type of moisture exposure.

Rotten wood softens and crumbles apart, so it can be a major hazard on hardwood stairs because it weakens the supporting structure and can cause the entire structure to collapse if it's neglected long enough. Wood rot can spread to other parts of your house such as interior trim or even the wooden frame of the building, and some types can even travel over masonry surfaces such as brick or plaster.

Cracked Treads

In most types of staircases, each tread is an individual piece in the structure. Concrete steps, on the other hand, are typically poured together as a single unit. The treads are the parts that are constantly coming into contact with people's feet and bearing their weight, so it's understandable that they are likely to suffer damage over time and need Dallas stair repair for issues like cracks.

While minor cracks in concrete aren't usually a big cause for concern, cracks in a wooden stairs are a more serious problem. The damage can put a strain on other parts of your structure and cause worse damage over time, but the uneven surface also presents a hazard that could cause someone to trip or stumble down your steps—or get jabbed in the bottom of their foot with a huge splinter. Our Dallas stair repair professionals will take out your broken stair tread, replace it with new, solid material and refinish it to protect the wood from splitting and make it so the repaired area is in perfect visual harmony with the rest of your structure.

Loose Railings

Does your handrail or newel post shake and wobble if it's touched? That's obviously a bad sign since they are there to help you steady yourself and they can't do that if they're not firmly in place. Newel posts are the pillars at the bottom, and in some cases, the top, of your structure that anchor the railings. They are often carved or otherwise decorated, but they aren't there for appearances, or just to hold up the end of the railing.

In many types of structures, the bottom newel post actually exists to bear some weight to support the overall structure. While this issue is typically related to wood rot outdoors, a loose newel post or weak handrail indoors may be caused by impact damage, broken balusters or frequent pressure that has caused screws or nails to work loose.

Damage from Pets or Insect Infestations

Dogs will be dogs, and cats will be cats—and sometimes that means parts of your staircase get chewed or scratched to bits in a surprisingly short span of time, leaving your house in serious need of Dallas stair repair services. But unwelcome insect invaders can also have a negative effect on your structure, particularly the most destructive insect species like carpenter ants and termites. Your Dallas handyman can replace damaged wood once your pest infestation has been evicted for good.

We're Your Local Dallas Stair Repair Experts

Maintaining a residential or commercial property and taking care of all the tasks that need to be done, such as Dallas stair repair, is not easy. But with Mr. Handyman of Dallas on their side, local homeowners can relax and put their trust in our expert team to ensure repair, maintenance, and installation tasks are handled effectively and efficiently with top-quality workmanship.

Our handyman professionals do much more than just stair repair. Dallas, TX property owners can rely on us for a wide range of improvement jobs, from door installation and deck repair to pressure washing and gutter services. We also understand that commercial properties may have unique needs that go beyond what you would find on a typical residential property, and we can handle those needs with skilled craftsmanship as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Stair Repair

A set of exterior stone stairs before, during and after Mr. Handyman has provided service to install a new handrail.

What Are the Components of a Staircase?

We all know what staircases are, but some of the names for stair parts aren't as commonly known. Here are the names for the different components, so you'll have an easier time describing the problem to your Dallas stair repair professional:

  • Stair Treads: These are the boards that form the flat surface of each step, where our feet land when we're going up or down the structure.
  • Stringers: These run along the sides (and in some cases, under the middle) of the structure from top to bottom, and they are what support the treads. They come in two basic styles: open stringers have treads and risers nailed directly on top of them, while closed stringers have notches in the side that treads slot into.
  • Risers: Also called kick boards, these parts cover the vertical part of each step, connecting the back of a lower step to the front of the next highest one. Some structures don't have risers at all.
  • Newel Posts: These are vertical pillars at the bottom, and sometimes top, of a staircase that holds up the railing and also bears some of the weight of the overall structure.
  • Stair Railing: The handrail component that runs along the staircase at about waist height for people to grasp and steady themselves while traversing the structure.
  • Balusters or Spindles: Vertical posts that hold up the railing. Spindles are attached to another rail at the bottom, while balusters rest on their own individual plinths or bases on each step.
  • Stair Landing: A flat area between two parts of a staircase where the structure changes direction.

Does My Staircase Violate Local Building Codes?

When constructing a new staircase, there are Texas building construction codes that need to be followed in order to ensure the structure is safe to use. But if your structure was built a very long time ago, or the person who installed it simply didn't follow the rules, it may not be in compliance with municipal and state codes. Aside from the obvious issue that a non-compliant structure could cause injury, you may have difficulties selling, renting, or insuring a building that is not up to code. Some of the issues that could violate Texas building codes for staircases include:

  • The structure is too narrow
  • The grade of the structure's rise is too steep
  • Each individual step is either too high or too low
  • Steps are not uniform in height or size
  • No handrail or the railing is too low

Your handyman may be able to correct some of these problems with the right Dallas stair repair strategy, but in many cases, it will be necessary for us to completely remove the existing structure and put in a new replacement that meets or exceeds all municipal and state building requirements. Our skilled team has the experience and expertise to know what is expected and ensure the structure is fully compliant so you don't have to worry.

What Causes the Need for Dallas Stair Repair?

When it comes to Dallas stair repair for an interior structure, the problems are usually related to wear and tear damage that gets incrementally worse over time. Staircases take a lot of abuse over the years, and eventually, some components will need replacement or reinforcement. For structures that are outdoors, the most common issue by far is moisture damage from harsh weather and humidity. That's especially true for wooden structures, but even metal and concrete are not impervious to the effects of excessive moisture.

When Your Property Needs Stair Repair, the Pros at Mr. Handyman Will Get It Done Right

The top of an indoor staircase before and after it has had a gate installed by Mr. Handyman.

If you are a resident of our Dallas service area, including parts of the greater Dallas area such as University Park, Farmers Branch, or Addison, you can make use of the expert handyman services provided by the team of professionals at Mr. Handyman of Dallas.

Ready to schedule an appointment for service? Call us today to chat with our friendly customer care staff and choose an appointment time that's convenient for you, or find out more about what we can do to enhance your residential or commercial property with maintenance, installation, improvement, and repair services for everything from Dallas stair repair to custom built-ins.
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