I have removed the carpet from the stairs to the game room and want to install the hardwood oak treads with plywood risers without touching the blusters. The problem is that stringer is not in the sync with the base of blusters and on most of the steps raiser will step up from the edge of the stringer by ¼”. I thought to use some liquid nails to fill the gap and make the even surface before installing the tread. I purchased the a gallon cans of Project liquid nails to spread it evenly on the stringer and install tread over it with finishing nails. Please let me know if this will work or if there is anything else that I can use instead of liquid nails. Last thing that I need is squeaky stairs. Thanks for your help.

 

I have never heard of a "bluster" before. (Different terms used in different parts of the country sometimes.) If you tell me that, I might be able to give an opinion. I do know stair construction and have had to fix/shim some also, to level out of level ones, etc.

 

I'm guessing that bluster = baluster. Other than that, I'm completely lost trying to picture it.

 

I’m sorry, I meant balusters. See picture below.:

<a href="http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=16657150sh5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4104/16657150sh5.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

Is the back of the tread even with the baluster at that point.. and short and the front/bullnose?
If so, add a 1/4" shim, or whatever is needed, the width of the riser below, flush with the face, to support the tread and bring it even to the balusters Then fill that joint (the piece you added to the existing riser) and paint. It looks like your risers are painted...!?!?
...Or better yet, add that shim to the bottom of the tread behind the bullnose.
With the bullnose overhang, you wont see the 1/4" you added.

 

Thanks for the replay jatco,
Riser is even with baluster, however stringer needs some shim so it will be even with the riser. My question was if I was going to put the shim on the edge of the stringer to make it even with the riser and filling the rest of the stringer with liquid nails, will the thick layer of liquid nails ever dry, or is there any other product that may be better to fill with. Thanks for your help.

 

From your picture I don't see what is hard about any of this. And I understand your problem. It must be that your new oak planks are 1/4 inch less thick than the original treads? Just use the correct thickness plywood (1/4) inch, lauan (3/16ths), and cut and lay these ontop the approx. 10 1/2 inch tops of each stringer and you could also rip long pieces to lay across the top edges of the risers, isntead of caulk.

 

I don't understand the problem, but, Bondo (the fiberglass/metal patch) works well on wood also.