Repairing Guides

how to repair a broken stair tread

by Mr. Rosendo Gutkowski Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Steps for Fixing a Stair Tread.

  • Use a tapered bit to drill three holes into the edge of the cracked stair tread.
  • Hold layout square on the tread to ensure straight, level holes.
  • Pull on the front edge of the tread to open crack.
  • Inject carpenter's glue into the crack, then wiggle tread to work glue down into the crack.
  • Smear glue onto tapered dowels, and then tap them into the holes with a hammer.
  • Wipe off excess glue with a clean, damp cloth.
  • File the ends of the dowels flush with the stair tread.

Part of a video titled How to Repair a Broken Stair Tread | This Old House - YouTube
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I want to work the broken piece so the glue settles all the way down to the bottom of the crack. NowMoreI want to work the broken piece so the glue settles all the way down to the bottom of the crack. Now i'm ready to glue the dowel. I'll put a generous amount on the dowel. Too work that around.

Full Answer

How to replace staircase treads?

Replacing Carpet on Stairs With Hardwood

  1. Remove the Carpet. First, prep the stairs by removing the carpet with a utility knife and pry bar. ...
  2. Remove Staples, Nails or Tack Strips
  3. Cut Existing Nosing
  4. Measure the Stairs
  5. Cut Riser Pieces
  6. Cut Tread Caps
  7. Attach Edge Moulding
  8. Measure the Tread Size
  9. Stain Your Stairs

How to repair indoor wooden stairs?

  • Average Cost of Professional Stair Repair. Unless you do double-duty as a carpenter, fixing stairs may not be something that you can handle on your own.
  • Identifying the Damage. ...
  • Dealing With Squeaking Stairs. ...
  • Repairing Various Types of Stair Railings. ...

How to repair a broken stair riser?

Open-Riser Tread Repair

  1. Pry off any end trim or cove molding from the broken stair tread. ...
  2. Remove the balusters from the broken tread. Most modern balusters are nailed in and can be pried off, but older balusters may be glued in mortise-and tenon-joints.
  3. Pry up the tread with the prybar, working slowly to loosen the nails. ...

More items...

How to repair interior stairs?

How to Repair Your Stairs

  • Diagnosing the Problem. Many things can go wrong with your stairs. ...
  • Stringing It Together. Stringers are the diagonal members of the stairs abutting the treads and risers, and while it’s not usually obvious, both treads and risers are slotted into a ...
  • Hammering out Squeaks. Stair treads and risers generally aren’t nailed into place. ...
  • Up Against the Wall. ...

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Can you repair a stair tread?

Damage to treads are rare and are normally limited to split or broken nosings. Damaged treads can be repaired or replaced based on how your staircase is constructed.

How do you replace one stair tread?

1:543:21How to Install Replacement Treads on your Staircase - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFinish cutting the nosing with a flush cutting. Saw we recommend this over a reciprocating. Saw asMoreFinish cutting the nosing with a flush cutting. Saw we recommend this over a reciprocating. Saw as it gives you greater. Control after making your cuts remove the sawdust. And debris with a shop vac

How much does it cost to repair stair treads?

You need to call in professionals to repair your stairs when this happens. The national cost average to repair stairs is between $100 and $1,000, with most homeowners spending $500 to fix a hole in the stairs....Stairs Repair Cost.Cost to Fix StairsNational average cost$500Average range$100-$1,000Low-end$75High-end$1,500Jan 13, 2022

How do you remove a broken stair tread?

Wiggle a flat crowbar into the line between the tread (the horizontal part of the step) and the riser (the vertical part of the step). Push down on the crowbar to lever the tread up. You won't be able to completely pry up the tread, because it has lots of nails holding it in place.

Can you put new stair treads over old ones?

Retro-fitting stair treads is the simplest solution for a DIY'er intent on installing hardwood treads over an existing flight of stairs. High-quality prefinished stair treads are made of solid edge-glued wood—not a veneered or engineered material—and can be used to “cap” or reface an existing tread.

How do I make my own stair treads?

6:1417:31How To Install New Stair Treads And Risers For Under $25 EachYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's pretty simple these stairs were pretty good and square. So I was able to just cut the link IMoreIt's pretty simple these stairs were pretty good and square. So I was able to just cut the link I think it was somewhere around 41. And a half inches. And I dropped some 18 gauge brad nails in there.

How much does it cost to install rubber stair treads?

These rubber stair treads will cost about $64 per square foot prior to installation.

How do you repair a staircase?

0:201:42Stairs repairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply construction wood adhesive on each stair and install the new stair over the old. One. Stand onMoreApply construction wood adhesive on each stair and install the new stair over the old. One. Stand on the newly installed stair to ensure good bond with the old one.

How much does it cost to put in a new staircase?

It costs the average homeowner $2,051 to build a staircase. This project ranges from $960 and $3,284 but can cost as low as $350 and as high as $5,000. However, you could pay up to $10,000 for more extensive or custom projects.

Why do stair treads split?

Wood stairs utilize thick stair treads for stability. These hardwood treads can be between 1 1/2 to 2 inches in thickness. When wood is cut this thick, it can split due to humidity changes. Once a stair tread is split or cracked, you can't glue it back together.

How do you reinforce stair treads?

6:249:04How To Strengthen Weak Basement Steps – Stair Repairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGoing the whole length of the underside of the tread that would provide you with the same type ofMoreGoing the whole length of the underside of the tread that would provide you with the same type of support a stair stringer would the stair stringer is fully supporting the underside of the tread.

How do you replace treads and risers?

17:0322:06How to install new treads and risers on your old stairs. Beginners DIYYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's very simple all I'm gonna do is just apply a good bead on this riser I'm gonna lift it upMoreSo it's very simple all I'm gonna do is just apply a good bead on this riser I'm gonna lift it up into place. The first rise is gonna run a little lower than here.

How do you replace stair treads on hardwood floors?

0:056:07How To Install Prefinished RetroFit Stair Treads from Stair-Treads.comYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOur first step is to remove the old carpet exposing the sub tread. Below now is the perfect time toMoreOur first step is to remove the old carpet exposing the sub tread. Below now is the perfect time to drive some 2 inch deck screws into the sub tread to prevent squeaks in our new staircase.

How do you fit stair treads?

0:2815:09Professional Stair Tread & Riser Installation - Complete Install ProcessYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut all you do is simply loosen your little wing nuts on here push it tight to the side. And then reMoreBut all you do is simply loosen your little wing nuts on here push it tight to the side. And then re-tighten. Them you're going to do this on both sides. Until you're satisfied.

How do you replace treads and risers?

17:0322:06How to install new treads and risers on your old stairs. Beginners DIYYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's very simple all I'm gonna do is just apply a good bead on this riser I'm gonna lift it upMoreSo it's very simple all I'm gonna do is just apply a good bead on this riser I'm gonna lift it up into place. The first rise is gonna run a little lower than here.

How do you replace wood on stairs?

0:211:42Stairs repairs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply construction wood adhesive on each stair and install the new stair over the old. One. Stand onMoreApply construction wood adhesive on each stair and install the new stair over the old. One. Stand on the newly installed stair to ensure good bond with the old one.

What happens if a stair tread is cracked?

If the tread is split or cracked there is a good possibility that this tread can be salvaged and repaired. In normal construction, the stair tread is fastened to the structural members that comprise the structure of the stair. Stringers. This would include what are called stringers that are cut to accommodate the required rise and run of the stair.

What is the best way to secure a tread?

It is recommended that screws are used to secure the tread to the supporting structure. If possible, look for other fasteners that were used to initially secure the tread. These fasteners would probably be nails, that were hammered into the supporting structure to secure the tread. Do not use nails to fix the issue.

What size block to use to remove tread from stair?

If you are able to use a piece of wood blocking, such as a length of 2X4, under this lip, this would be helpful.

How high should a contemporary stair rise?

The contemporary stair does not exceed a rise of 8 inches (riser size) and a run of 10 inches ( tread width ). These are the dimensions that would be used to design a normal contemporary stair. Remember that this is not the case with older homes.

What is stringer in stairs?

Stringers. This would include what are called stringers that are cut to accommodate the required rise and run of the stair. Rise. Rise is the vertical measurement of the stair and run is the horizontal measurement of the individual stair treads. In modern construction, there is a common rise and run requirement for properly constructed stairs.

Where is the support member on a tread?

In most cases, this supporting member is along the perimeter of the tread as well as down the middle of the tread. An additional support is the riser piece, which is the horizontal surface, between the two treads. It is recommended that screws are used to secure the tread to the supporting structure.

Can stair treads be nailed?

This is not a panic situation. In most cases a stair tread is simply nailed to the supporting structure. There are very rare occasions that a stair tread, requiring replacement, has been installed with anything other than simple nailing.

Open-Riser Tread Repair

Pry off any end trim or cove molding from the broken stair tread. To avoid marring the surface of the stair riser below, use a scrap piece of wood under the prybar as you remove the molding.

Closed Staircase Repair

Saw the broken tread in half with the reciprocating saw. Be careful not to saw through the risers or the stringers beneath the tread. Most older, closed staircases have three stringers, two "open" stringers that are exposed along the sides of the staircase and a concealed base stringer that runs along the center of the treads beneath the staircase.

What can go wrong with stairs?

Many things can go wrong with your stairs. They can squeak or loosen between treads, and stairwells attached on only one side—known as open stairs —can even begin to separate from the wall. To diagnose problems, start with a visual inspection for gaps, and a walking test to feel out any movement (or give) and to identify the location of squeaks. The good news is that most problems are familiar to a competent carpenter. The bad news is that the plaster or paneling (or whatever else covers the underside of the stairs) must be removed in order to reach the problem. Frequently, the 2x4s at the sides that hold up the ceiling (the underneath part of the top stair) must also come off; save them for putting the ceiling back. Once the cover is removed and the stair’s innards are laid bare, repairs won’t seem so daunting. (Repairing the hole you’ve created usually isn’t too difficult, either).

Why do stairs have stringers?

This doesn’t happen very often on closed stairwells (stairs with walls on both sides), but open stairwells can experience stringer spread for a number of reasons: House settling, wall movement, inappropriate repairs, and poor original workmanship are all common culprits. The trick is to pull the stringers back together and keep them that way.

How to close gaps in stringer?

To close gaps caused by stringer spread, start by cleaning debris from the stringer housings (the dado or groove where they fit). Remove nails, wood splinters, paint chips, or glue from the lower and upper sides; finish with a blast of compressed air.

Can you remove the plaster from the underside of a stair?

The bad news is that the plaster or paneling (or whatever else covers the underside of the stairs) must be removed in order to reach the problem. Frequently, the 2x4s at the sides that hold up the ceiling (the underneath part of the top stair) must also come off; save them for putting the ceiling back.

Do lag bolts work on studs?

Typically, a few lag bolts will do the trick, but if the walls have bowed or have moved out of plumb, the attachment will be trickier. You’ll need to shim between the stringer and the studs in order to firm up the stringer-to-studs attachment, then attach the lag bolts through the studs.

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