How do you repair damaged wooden steps?
0:403:48How to Repair a Broken Stair Tread | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStarted. I'm going to use my speed square to line my drill bit up parallel with the tread. And drillMoreStarted. I'm going to use my speed square to line my drill bit up parallel with the tread. And drill. All right that's one hole now i want to drill a second hole right over. Here now a third hole.
How do I rebuild my porch steps?
0:253:50How to repair your porch steps DIY Home Depot materials - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the steps right now are made of three two by fours that are four foot wide we're actually goingMoreSo the steps right now are made of three two by fours that are four foot wide we're actually going to replace the two by fours with two by sixes. And with the two by sixes I'm only going to have to
How do you replace outdoor stair treads?
6:187:18Deck Stair Tread Installation (How To Replace Deck Stair Treads)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI then cut it to the length of the bottom step with my circular saw. Then. I run adhesive on theMoreI then cut it to the length of the bottom step with my circular saw. Then. I run adhesive on the back top of the piece and mush it into place beneath the overhang of the step.
How do you restore outdoor wooden stairs?
Steps to Refinishing Your Stair Treads:Sand. Start by sanding down the treads to bare wood with the 80 grit sandpaper. ... Clean. Vacuum between passes, then wipe down the treads with a tack cloth. ... Sand again. ... Clean again. ... Treat the wood. ... Stain the treads. ... Apply the Finish. ... Sand, then repeat two more times.
What is the best material for front steps?
What materials are good for a front stoop?Wood: The best choices are ipe (also called Brazilian walnut), redwood, or Alaskan yellow cedar. ... Stone: Bluestone, limestone, granite, and slate are good stoop materials, though they're pricier than brick, wood, or concrete.More items...•
What is the best wood for exterior stair treads?
Treated lumber is ideal for projects such as deck stairs, basement steps and steps leading to back porches and outbuildings. Treated lumber is strong and long lasting. It is always a smart choice for ground contact because it resists rot better than most wood products.
How do you replace concrete porch steps?
0:178:23How to Install Precast Concrete Steps | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's going to allow the rain water to come down sit on the steps. Create some ice so otherMoreThat's going to allow the rain water to come down sit on the steps. Create some ice so other problems. And then if you really zone in on those steps you can see how much they do tip to the right.
How do you build porch steps?
3:177:49How to Build Porch Stairs | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe have six stringers spaced 16 inches apart and this 2 by 6 will hold them together at the top. AndMoreWe have six stringers spaced 16 inches apart and this 2 by 6 will hold them together at the top. And another 2 by 6 will hold them across the bottom. This toe-kick will stiffen up the bottom.
How do you replace wooden front steps?
1:395:38How to replace exterior stair treads or steps -DIY Daddy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThing you want to make sure that you measure the the lumber of the old stuff so that you can replaceMoreThing you want to make sure that you measure the the lumber of the old stuff so that you can replace it with you know the exact same thing. So this was 1 by 6 pressure treated. Same exact lumber so I'
How do you rebuild stairs?
3:4915:17Stair Rebuild - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCut my stair treads at the size of the piece on the back. And then we'll all get a symbol. Like thisMoreCut my stair treads at the size of the piece on the back. And then we'll all get a symbol. Like this one tread the riser second one like that.
How to fix cracks in wood?
Apply wood clamps across the cracks, if possible. Tighten the wood clamp so the crack closes. Allow the glue to dry overnight and remove the clamps. Check the cracks. If the glue recessed when it dried, apply more glue to fill the depressions. Allow the glue to dry overnight and repeat if necessary until the glue is flush with the step.
Why do wood steps crack?
Moisture, expansion, contraction and sunlight and weather breaks down wood fibers. When foot traffic is added, it's a sure bet that steps show signs of deterioration, often revealing themselves in cracks and splits. Damage to wood steps is unavoidable no matter how often you applied sealant. Other problems occur when steps warp or twist, causing fasteners to loosen or lift. Repair damage using waterproof resin glue. It dries hard as glass to fill and bond cracks and splits.
How to fix a crack in a chisel?
Insert the tip of a chisel into any open cracks or splits. Pry the crack apart with the chisel; fill and saturate the crack with the glue with a brush to work it into the crack. If the crack is too narrow for the chisel or a thick-bladed putty knife, force the glue into the crack with the brush.
How to get rotten wood out of a wood step?
Chip or dig out rotten wood using a chisel -- if the rot does not penetrate all the way through the step. Repeat the process removing loose rotten wood with a wire brush. Trim off any noticeable splinters with a chisel.
What to do if rot in step?
If the rot penetrates through the step replace it with a new one. Waterproof resin glue is available in colors. Choose one that matches best.
How to make a step flush with the surface?
Scrape dried glue from the step using a glue scraper to make it flush with the step's surface. Sand the steps using an orbital sander with 100-grit sandpaper.
How wide should porch steps be?
The run for porch steps is usually 11″, which is the width of fir tread stock available at most lumberyards; a 9″ run is code minimum. A 1″ lip overhanging the riser is typical, but if you’re using a cove molding and need more overhang, you can go as far as 1¼” (the limit mandated by building codes).
What are the most vulnerable parts of a porch?
Stairs are the most vulnerable component of a porch. Exposed to the elements (intense sunlight, rain, snow, frost heave), and often limited by poor choice of materials, bad craftsmanship, and lack of maintenance, it’s no wonder they usually fail long before the rest of the porch. But new stairs —whether simply utilitarian or attractively dressed ...
How to provide ventilation between stringers and trim?
To provide ventilation between the stringers and trim, apply ¼” pressure-treated shims to the stringer adjacent to each riser. </td>. Fasten the treads, risers, and side trim. With the frame ready, fasten the treads, risers, and side trim.
What is the best way to join boards on a porch?
On a porch with changes of direction (for example, on a verandah that turns a corner and continues on a second side of the house), cut the boards where they meet along a diagonal. There are two classic join patterns: miter joints (shown at top) and herringbone joints (bottom).
What to document before rebuilding a porch?
Before beginning any restoration or rebuilding, it’s worthwhile to document existing joinery and spacing details with photographs and/or a sketch that includes measurements on all components, even when the parts are beyond saving. What’s left may provide clues to construction techniques that gave the porch its initial long life.
How thick is a porch floor?
Historically, porch floorboards were milled from vertical grain 5⁄4″ tongue-and-groove Douglas fir, which meant they were fully 1″ thick. The ends were often shaped in a half-round bullnose by an onsite carpenter, the better to shed water. After World War II, board thicknesses shrank to ¾”, and the ends were typically square-cut, both compromises in terms of the expected lifespan of the wood.
What is a good porch?
A good porch starts with good footings. While the earliest porches were built on large stones set deep into the ground or full masonry piers of fieldstone or brick, contemporary building codes call for footers of poured concrete.
Why ventilate skirting under porch?
Ventilation is crucial for preventing dampness, which can attract wood-eating insects and encourage decay. “You want the bugs to crawl in,” says Andrew Curtis, an exterior restoration specialist, “and you want them to crawl back out.”. It is crucial to ventilate skirting underneath porches to avoid decay.
How long has OHJ lumber been around?
As OHJ has been repeating for more than 40 years, lumber of that quality is nearly impossible to find today, so it makes sense to preserve and re-use as much ...
What are the elements that make up a porch?
If not kept in good repair using water-resistant materials and strategically applied coats of paint, the key elements of a porch—floors, framing, posts, railings, and decorative elements —will deteriorate quickly.
What happens if you get old wood rotten?
If your old wood is rotten it will have to be torn out and replaced.
Does wood rot when it rains?
A couple of the stair treads had broken in half and where you can see the open grain of the wood, water would seep in every time it rains, weakening the wood and leading to rot.
Can you replace stair risers?
You have two choices for your fix, either replace the entire stair risers or reinforce the old. Guess which one I chose…reinforce the old.
How to break a board into pieces?
If a board is down really tight, I sometimes use that same screwdriver, and a hammer, to break the board into pieces. I drive the screwdriver in right beside the nail heads. This forces the woodgrain around nail heads to split, so the nails have nothing to hold onto, and I can pull the board out in pieces.
What to use to replace front treads?
Basically, when replacing these front treads, I like to use a combination of screws and adhesive, and here’s why.
What kind of adhesive do I use for stringer tops?
So, I like to apply a small bead of adhesive to the stringer tops. Just enough for the next tread to mush down into it. I’m using PL Premium Loctite, a very strong adhesive, that bonds quickly.
Why do deck boards break?
This is because on most decks, the front tread often overhangs the riser below. Deck lumber dries out, nails loosen up, and the action of feet hitting the edge pries these boards up like a seesaw. Weight can even cause boards to split along grain lines and just break at the front edge.
How much space between two boards for a bead?
With a little glue in place, I push the board down into the bead, and leave a small 1/8” gap between the two boards.
How thick is 5/4 decking?
The replacement lumber I’m using is standard 5/4 decking. It’s one inch thick, and 5-1/2” wide.
Can you pull a stringer from the outside edge?
I frequently do this by just measuring any remaining boards. But, if that’s not an option, you can pull from the outside edge of one stringer, to the outside edge of another.
