A hardwood staircase, like hardwood flooring, adds character, beauty, and resale value to any home. If your wood stairs need a facelift, start by checking for any needed repairs. Squeaks, a common problem, often are caused by loose or rubbing parts. Stop the squeak by nailing or screwing down a part that has separated or by inserting a wedge underneath it. Sanding and Refinishing Refinishing requires special equipment and a lot of patience.
Floor refinishing companies typically get most of the job done in a day.
If you decide to do it yourself, rent a floor edger sanding machine. Run the sander over the steps. Start with 36-grit paper for varnished floors. Next, use a hand scraper on the spots the sander missed and, if desired, hand sand with fine paper to remove small scratches. Vacuum to remove the dust.