Fill Screw Holes with Wood Putty

What happens in this clip

After the stair nosing is securely fastened, use color-matched wood putty to fill all the visible screw holes. Apply the putty with a putty knife or your finger, pressing it firmly into each hole and smoothing the surface to match the surrounding wood. This step conceals the fasteners and restores a clean, finished appearance to the nosing.

Goal: Conceal the screw holes in the stair nosing

What's used

Tools

• Putty Knife

Materials

• Minwax Wood Putty Minwax
• Elmer's Wood Filler

About the full video

This DIY project details how to fix a loose and dangerous stair nosing by drilling pilot holes, securely fastening it to the tread with trim head screws, and then concealing the screw holes with color-matched wood putty for a solid and finished look.

Step 6 of 6: Conceal Screw Heads (Optional)

For a more aesthetically pleasing repair, you can conceal the screw heads that were used to secure the stair components. If the screws were countersunk, you can fill the resulting holes with a wood filler that matches the color of your stairs. Once the filler has dried completely, sand the area smooth until it is flush with the surrounding wood. If necessary, you can then touch up the area with a wood stain, paint, or a colored pencil that closely matches the original finish of your stairs. This step is purely cosmetic but can significantly improve the appearance of the repaired area.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Fix Squeaky Hardwood Stairs from Above

1. Step 1: Locate Squeak Source

   • 0:00–1:23 Identify Squeak Source
   • 2:46–5:26 Identify Squeak Points and Mark Drilling Guides
   • 0:44–1:08 Identify Squeak and Gather Materials for PVA Method

2. Step 2: Access from Above

   • 0:14–0:34 Fix Squeaks from Underneath with Shims
   • 0:03–1:05 Identify and Prepare Problem Area
   • 0:56–1:24 Apply Screws or Blocks for Stability

3. Step 3: Secure Loose Tread/Riser

   • 6:29–7:31 Drive Screws to Secure Tread to Riser
   • 6:13–6:27 Secure Front Treads with Screws
   • 2:05–4:08 Reinforce Risers and Treads with Adhesive and Timber

4. Step 4: Address Loose Stringers

   • 0:09–0:13 Secure Lower Stringer Section
   • 0:56–1:24 Apply Screws or Blocks for Stability
   • 1:24–2:44 Fix Squeaks on Carpeted Stairs

5. Step 5: Test for Squeaks

   • 4:28–5:00 Test the Repaired Stairs
   • 0:46–0:52 Fix Squeaks on Hardwood Stairs with Screws and Putty
   • 11:15–11:37 Final Inspection

6. Step 6: Conceal Screw Heads (Optional)

   • 1:12–1:17 Conceal Screw Holes
   • 0:22–0:30 Fill Screw Holes with Wood Putty (this video)
   • 4:26–4:39 Conceal Screw Heads