How to Repair Noisy Wood Chairs

If you want your chairs to squeak no more, you have to find the source of the problem and make the needed changes so that your chairs are comfy and silent. Wooden chairs can make noises when you change your position while sitting on them because of loose legs, joints, dowels, spindles, or rungs.

Step 1 - Identify the Problem Areas

Inspect the chair closely to identify all the problem areas that make your chair squeaky. Check for loose nails or screws. Check all joints and the backrest and arms if your chair has them. Check the dowels. Press the legs and the backrest inward and outward to check how much they move.

Step 2 - Position the Chair

Position the chair so that you have easy access to the problem area. Turn the chair so that the legs face upward. You may use another chair on which you place the chair being repaired. In this manner, you can work more easily without having to continually change the position of the chair.

Step 3 - Apply Glue

If you spotted a loose joint, you can fix it easily by applying some glue. Force wood glue into the joints, then let it dry completely before you start using the chair again.

Step 4 - Apply Wood-Swelling Liquid

If the problem is more serious than a loose joint, you will need to dismantle it. Use a stiff-blade putty knife to gently disassemble the joint. Generally, wood chair joints are held together by dowels, small nails, or screws. If the problem is caused by the dowels, apply a wood-swelling liquid to them. Let the liquid work for a few moments. It will secure the dowel into the chair.

Step 5 - Replace Nails

If the problem is caused by nails, remove the nails and replace them. You can insert screws from above, through the chair’s seat, directly into the chair’s leg. The screw’s threads prevent them from pulling out. Screws will safely pass through the chair’s seat, even if it has upholstery.

Step 6 - Add Metal Angle Braces

If your chair needs more reinforcement, you can also use metal angle braces beneath the seat. Before you place the metal parts, make sure the joints are fixed tightly together. Use screws to fix the angled braces on the chair’s frame, connecting it to the chair’s leg. The screws you use should be long enough to ensure stability, but they should not come out on the other side.

Step 7 - Fix the Back Rest

If the backrest needs to be mended, you can first try to glue loose parts. In case the problem is located in the area where the backrest meets the seat, you can repair it by inserting some screws through the seat into the backrest.