| If you have a set of stairs that seem to be getting a | | | | available. These are generally a stock item. Front |
| little unsafe it is time to evaluate whether a do it | | | | edged rounded boards of this type are referred to |
| yourself repair can fix the problem or whether a new | | | | as 'bull nosed' Remove the old damaged stair and |
| set will have to be built. Not all stairs are built the | | | | clean the debris from the stringer. Carefully measure |
| same so the first thing to do is to assess the | | | | the size of the replacement required. Remember, |
| problem. | | | | measure twice and cut once. |
| Maybe the stairs, ( sometimes called 'treads' because | | | | If the stairs have, no risers (the back pieces) you |
| it's the part you 'tread 'on) are just a little worn and | | | | may wish to add them to the stairs before you |
| a little nail setting, sanding and painting with a stair or | | | | repaint them. These will probably be a stock size |
| deck paint will fix it all up. If the stairs talk to you, i.e., | | | | lumber; all you need to do is cut them to the length |
| moan, groan or squeak when you use them, maybe | | | | required. Tools required for this repair; hammer, nails, |
| a little re-nailing will fix your problem. | | | | wood glue, safety goggles, work gloves, measuring |
| Drive the nails at an angle through the step and into | | | | tape, drill and screwdrivers. |
| the stringer (sidepiece) from above and below, if you | | | | If you have a set of concrete stairs that are starting |
| can access the underneath. An alternate way of | | | | to chip or crumble, these can be repaired with a bit |
| reinforcing stairs would be to screw into the stair | | | | of effort. With a cold chisel and wire brush chip, |
| through the stringer. It is always best to drill a pilot | | | | scrape, and clean away all loose and crumbly bits of |
| hole to prevent splitting .If the stringer has been over | | | | concrete. Using 1 X 4 lumber pieces make some |
| nailed or screwed, a block of wood can placed under | | | | forms around the stair to be repaired. Make sure the |
| the stair as reinforcement and nailed or screwed | | | | boards are aligned with the edges of the stairs. Clean |
| through the stringer, and then downward through the | | | | motor oil can be applied to the boards to prevent the |
| stair. If a stair is worn or broken, it will have to be | | | | concrete from sticking. Paint the area to be fixed |
| removed and a new one installed. | | | | with a concrete bonding agent, which will allow the |
| If the stairs are a basement or attic rough grade | | | | new concrete to stick to the old. Prepare a batch of |
| stair, replace it with a similar lumber from your local | | | | ready mix concrete and work into the area, and |
| lumberyard or building supplier. Stairs are often | | | | smooth until even with the stair. Use an old brush to |
| rounded at the front and boards of this type are | | | | texture the surface to prevent slipping. |