A split stair tread does not necessarily have to be replaced, it can be repaired, providing the split is not in the nose area or over the edge of the riser. First tread on the right of this photo is the cracked one. 4. Start by cutting off the broken or loose baluster. Here is how to fix a worn or broken stair tread. Place a tread on a table cutter and, with a slow and steady push, cut it down to size. The tread had a crack near the front edge that ran along its length. You can not leave tripping hazards on the stairs and risk someone getting hurt. 2. Contents1 Stair Repair – How to Do-It-Yourself2 Repairing squeaky treads and risers3 Repairing squeaky treads and risers step-by-step guide:4 Balustrade repairs5 Treads, risers and stringers6 REPLACING TREADS AND RISERS7 Balusters repairs step-by-step guide Stair Repair – How to Do-It-Yourself Stringers, treads, risers and balustrade combined make up the parts of a staircase. Below is a brief guide on how to replace a broken spindle from a cut string staircase. A cracked or broken stair tread is a. Stair Treads; How to Cut a Stair Tread. Step 1 Stair treads and risers ... (tread) fits into place and is level. Photos speak a thousand words, so here they are! Underneath each tread, on both ends where the tread fits into the stringers, a wooden wedge is driven to tighten the tread and hold it in place. 6. Cracked stair tread;. home improvement and repair website. Take it apart where the dowel ends using your drill if it’s proving difficult to remove. Once the measurement and cutting procedures are over, you are ready to fix the tread … M 8 you need a twist drill with a core hole of 6.8 mm. here. If the connection of the stair tread to the riser is loose or not joined, screw them together by first drilling a pilot hole and then installing the screw. Removing the old treads and replacing them is not a simple/easy task, it can be done though. Firstly, you need to determine the method in which your spindle is joined to the stair tread. First you need to compress the cracked tread by shimming against a block attached to the stringers at each end. An open-riser staircase without attached balusters is the easiest type to repair. Over time, your staircase can loosen, which can cause additional creaks and stair movement. When one becomes loose, and you can't see its anchoring point under the stairs, it might be necessary to work through a ceiling to get at the underside or remove a piece of flooring on a stair landing in order to make the repair. screw through the riser into the back of the tread. Using a chisel, coping saw or saber saw, cut back the split or damaged nosing flush with the face of the riser beneath and plane the exposed edged flat. 145 Posts . A loose or cracked riser can compromise the stability of the stairs and also lead to further damage, in particular to the stair tread above it. Drive a 2-in. Jul 31, 2014 - This Old House general contractor Tom Silva reveals his quick fix for cracked wooden steps It keeps the tread tight, and prevents most “squeaking” later on in life. It’s best to squeeze the glue in a zigzag pattern, rather than a straight line, so that there’s more glue. Drive a shim between the end of the tread and the top of the stringer to tighten it before installing the L bracket. 3. Putting little timber bearers under the patched area will provide extra support. Stairway repairs are not a common household chore, but occasionally, a broken tread needs to be dealt with. Drill a 3/8" hole straight into the nose of the tread every 6" across the width. I've got a bit of a problem with a cracked stair tread. I suggest glueing & dowelling the tread in place. Press the tread into position on top of the glue. For the most accurate results, it is important to use a large level. Smear glue onto tapered dowels, and then tap them into the holes with a hammer. Glue the tread to the bottom step with construction adhesive. 5. What would be the best course of action? Damaged treads on stairway - repair or replace treads? You may end up having to cut them out and then replace them after you fix the broken tread. For more information see our disclosures here. Before replacing the ceiling, be sure to walk, dance, or bound up and down the stairs to be sure you've cured as many of the squeaks as possible. With mortised stairs, removing the tread may not be a good option. How can I Repair a broken stair tread? The damaged area of the stair tread should be carefully cut away and a new piece of softwood spliced in. This post is provided by Jesse Hughes. Ive opened up the area under the stairs, and I cant access the tread, as you can see. The front edge of the tread, nosing, will quite often become so worn over time that it splits. The abuse is even more pronounced when heavy items like boxes and hand trucks are hauled up and down the steps. built in the late 70's and recently discovered that we have oak stair treads under the. The corners and edges of stair noses can chip away through ordinary use. To repair the crack, Tom recommended using a new type of wooden dowel. This post contains affiliate links. Loose Stair Tread. If you’re an experienced DIY-er, see how you can replace a stair tread and repair creaking stairs. Carefully cut away the damaged area of the stair tread and splice in a new piece of softwood. How to Repair a Broken Stair Tread. Fixing a Broken Stair Tread. Moderator: Moderators. Step 3: Fix the Tread to the Staircase. This Old House general contractor Tom Silva reveals his quick fix for cracked wooden steps. Carpeted stairs that squeak can be repaired from above in several easy steps—without destroying the ceiling below the steps. Measure the length of the broken stair riser on the underside of the stairs using a tape measure. Aug 21, 2019 - Say goodbye to noisy steps! Repair loose steps with an L bracket and wood screws between the tread and the riser. Appears to have been some movement over the years, and the treads... replacing old, broken stair treads. How To Repair A Broken Stair Tread! The tread nosing can wear and even split over time. Loose or damaged risers can be repaired by reinforcing them with a strip of wood attached underneath the stairs. Squeeze the glue onto the parts of the stair that the tread will sit on top of. Wood working questions and answers in here please. Repairing a broken stair tread Tom helped a homeowner repair a broken stair tread. The dowels have a series of “steps†that help to hold the pieces of wood together. Squeaky stairs are easy to fix from underneath—provided they’re exposed. Repairing your concrete steps is simply a natural component of the steps' lifecycle. Hey folks! How can I Repair a broken stair tread? How To: Repair Concrete Steps ... with its top edge level with the surface of the stair tread. It is important to repair damaged risers, as they can compromise the strength and stability of the the entire staircase…. You must replace the tread. First you drill the damaged thread with a twist drill. If the base of the spindle rests on a solid section of tread, it should have a rounded dowel end that is glued into a hole in the tread. It is also a good idea to fix little timber bearers underneath the patched areas, to provide extra support. Specific treads can be replaced when absolutely needed. 6 posts • Page 1 of 1. fabiavRS Newly registered Member Posts: 42 Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:14 pm Has thanked: 1 time Been thanked: 1 time. Discussion Starter • #1 • Apr 19, 2014. Stair Treds Wooden Steps Furniture Repair Good To Know Stairs House Stairway Staircases Stairways. Experts suggest inspecting your stairs regularly. 3. The easiest way IMO, would be to cut the nosing off the treads flush with the risers then just install new risers in front of the old, flush with the top of the old tread and install new thread on top of the old. In the case of a new metric thread with e.g. I'm trying to not have to replace an entire limestone tread on the front steps and hoping that I can just repair it. Drill thread . Pull on front edge of tread to open crack. Wipe off excess glue with clean, damp cloth. Cracks often occur at the back of the step, where the tread and risers meet, or the outside stringer, when it doesn't contact a wall. The twist drill must match the size of the thread diameter. This wedge is far superior to simply nailing or screwing the tread down to the stringers. How to fix broken porch entry stairs by replacing old or rotten treads and risers with new weather treated wood. It is drastic, but a well made staircase was never meant to be taken apart. You can find an overview of the required diameter (core holes) in this table (PDF).. Once the stair tread is removed you can add a piece of 1/2 inch plywood to the backside of the stair tread using screws and carpenters glue to bond and fasten the plywood to the tread. Problem with several treads on the stairway of our 1930's house. This is not a project that can be simply glued together. While you can DIY this project, a pro can help you get the exact repairs you need. The riser is the part of the stair that sits vertically and supports the front portion of the tread. Step 3- Remove and Replace the Treads. This can be an issue if you have carpeting over your stairs. Be extremely careful when operating the cutter, especially if you are a newbie in repair works. To fix a crack or void in the stringers -- the diagonal-running support boards holding the steps -- use a mending plate. File the ends of the dowels flush with the stair tread. The new tread will then need to be shaped and sanded — and any screw holes filled. Are the two thick bits of wood under the tread structural? Inject carpenter's glue into the crack, then wiggle tread to work glue down into crack. Using the pry bar pry upward between the stair tread and the riser in front of the stair tread. Such splits can also be caused by resting heavy furniture on the tread edge during moves. just a suggestion to get over your problem would be to get a piece of 2mm steel sheet cut to size and drill and countersink several fixing holes around the plate the fix using suitably sized countersunk screws. Stairs receive a lot of wear over time. Saved by This Old House. The stair tread will be fitted into the strings and the only successful way to remove and replace is to do it from the back of the staircase. Wooden banisters are glued on, so twisting it free should help it come off more easily. Shape and sand the new tread and countersink screws to enable filling.