*Sigh* Help me Oppo! (House woes)

[Skyfire77]

I may have mentioned it on old Oppo, but the crew that built my house were idiots, and as a result I've had to replace counts on fingers five stair treads since 2000.

To sum up: the treds themselves are particle board, and were routed into the stringer, then nailed. The risers are also routed in, but some are nailed into the tread below, while others are just kinda shimed or held in by the treads. Sadly, the early 1980's-era binder is breaking down (Me being mumble mumble pounds overweight doesn't help), and the treads are breaking, almost always in the middle. My uncle replaced the first to go, and following his example I've done the rest (although I've bought proper replacement treads as I don't have a pile of spare wood like he did), but when I had to replace the latest one to go last week, I found that the staircase is not square, and the distance between the stringers is slightly wider at the top. I made this discovery when, after removing the old tread and cutting the new one based on the measurements, the tread was around a third of an inch too short. After rechecking my measurements, remeasuring the old tread, and copious swearing, I found the shims used to wedge the stairs into place, with the dried glue showing where'd they'd been.

Needless to say, I need some way to support the tread, and so I come to you Oppo, what would be my options here. Keep in mind, my tool chest is limited to a jigsaw, cordless drill, hammer and other hand tools. And yes, I know buying a new tread and cutting it to the actual size would be best, but I'll take something quick and dirty for now and then do a more permanent fix (like having the hecking staircase ripped out and replaced by one built by someone competent) later.

[Highlander]

@skyfire77 This is what I would do.

[Skyfire77]

@highlander That's kinda what I was thinking, actually. Glad to see I was on the right track.

[MM54]

@skyfire77 I agree with highlander

[Highlander]

@skyfire77 Reading what you wrote, it always amazes me how much trouble a builder will go through to build something wrong. There should be a continuous stringer for your stair tread cut out of say a 2x12.

[Skyfire77]

@highlander Right? I mean, I know I'm big, but these treads shouldn't be splitting like this. Then again, if they hadn't, I'd never know how badly they were built. Shoulda known when I found the discarded Liquid Nails tubes and broken sheetrock inside the wall that things were shoddy.

[Shop-Teacher]

@skyfire77 Do what Highlander outlined, or thereabouts. It will be plenty strong.

[Highlander]

@skyfire77 depending on the stair width there should also be a stringer down the middle. I think that would be around 30-36" wide.

[MidEngine]

attach this to the existing stringers with nails or screws, problem solved

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Severe-Weather-5-Step-Pressure-Treated-Hemlock-Fir-Deck-Stair-Stringer/50017388

[gmporschenut also a fan of hondas]

@skyfire77 just make sure to go into stud(s)

[454ssracetruck]

@skyfire77 So there should be a center stringer by code. That way if one fails two others remain. Your treads are over spanned.
Adding nailers like what was posted will work and is better than nothing. Particle board doesn’t like to flex much before it just breaks. Popular treads will never fail. It’s really hard. Also very paint able.
Is there any way to support the center of the existing straits from below with a 2”x4” wall? Most stairs run 32-37 degrees for the angle cuts. Just to be nerdy. Carpenter by trade. Ask any questions.

[ranwhenparked]

@454ssracetruck It was the '80s, codes were more like suggestions. I've found at least 3 violations in my house that I know of, which shouldn't have passed inspection in '83, but, whatever.

[Shop-Teacher]

@midengine said in *Sigh* Help me Oppo! (House woes):

attach this to the existing stringers with nails or screws, problem solved

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Severe-Weather-5-Step-Pressure-Treated-Hemlock-Fir-Deck-Stair-Stringer/50017388

The odds of his stairs working with a pre-cut stringer are practically nil.

[MidEngine]

@shop-teacher Then trim if necessary, I was trying to find him an easy solution... I'd rip them out and rebuild all of it

[Skyfire77]

@shop-teacher I was actually thinking of doing just that (''cause it would be easy), but figured it wouldn't work for exactly that reason.

[Skyfire77]

@midengine Redoing both staircases is on the "Moving Out" checklist.