Stair Repair

I have some warping appearing in my basement stairs. It is basically limited to the bottom three or four stairs. I believe it was caused from water damage three years ago but has just kept slowly warped more and more. The problem is the stair way is built between the foundation and a finished wall, or the wall was added years after the stairs. Since the nails are slowly being pulled out of the treads, is there a way of replacing the damaged area without having to remove the finished wall? Am I overlooking something? I sure hope so and someone can enlighten me.

AJ

 

pinman,

Removal could be done by cutting the treads out and use a sawzall to get the nails at the ends to make removal easier. But replacing may be another thing altogether. If you have no way to insert the new tread or shall I say enough room to ensure that the new tread is resting on the original stringers, then wall repair is in order.

Alternative is to cut the tread out and then either place a "box header" of sorts in between the stringers. Ensuring that it is solid and secure. If need be use metal joist hangers. This way you can reinstall a new tread and what ever space may be showing can be coverd with 3/4 round shoe or similar. The only area that may be in question but is workable is if riser is attached to the tread from below.

Hope this helps!

 

Doug
Thanks for the suggestion, let me see if I'm clicking on all cylinders. Remove the treads with a sawzall, which does make sense. I had to go back and look at them after reading your reply, but it appears that they did not use what I would call a stringer. It appears to be a 2x8 on each side with about a ¼ to ½” slot cut for the tread. The riser is attached both at the bottom of the tread and through the sides of the support.

I take it that what you mean by a box header, would be another set of stringers, attached inside of the fist two give something secure to mount to, is that correct? Then the quarter round would obscure the gaping of the tread and wall, also correct? Thaks Again! (Seeing a bit a light through the fog)

AJ

 

pinman,

Yes to all your questions.

Hope it all goes well!