This helps to keep the stringers aligned, which add stability to the steps you're building. Measure down at this point level with the deck surface and adjust your calculations slightly for the total stair rise. If you are using closed stringers, cut treads to fit between them. http://stairs4u.com/stairdonts/stair_don.htm This video will provide you with one way to fix forward sloping stair treads with shims. You use a framing square to draw the stair’s notches on the stringer, then you cut them out. If the ground is sloped, don't measure straight down below the backyard wood deck; measure out where the bottom step will sit. Re: stair tread and wall - closing the gap [ Re: wendyjane ] #287978 It will save time and frustration. The trick is to pull the stringers back together and keep them that way. So why is it that the 1" shorter riser onto the landing at the top of a If you’ve done the math (it’s grade-school stuff) and the layout right, the tread cuts will be level and the riser cuts plumb. ft. (psf) live load and 10 psf dead load. If you run into a problem or need advice your Membership includes unlimited email questions to me through our Ask Dave quick response button. Hi, I'm Dave Osborne. All other trademarks on this site are the property of their respective owners. Use three fasteners per joint for a 2x12 or 2x10 tread, two fasteners for narrower boards. Some of my answers include drawings and instructions specific to a project, but may also answer your questions. The stairway is 18 steps long, outside up to the attic/loft of my garage. Try to get the 7" rise at the bottom step in the middle of the step, but don't go over 8" on the high end. Click here. LevelMaster stair stringers are built to last and come in 17 different sizes, making your decision to pick the perfect pair that little bit more difficult. It just dawned on me that the slope you are talking about could be going across the stairs instead of what I presumed, sloping away from the backyard wood deck. if one side of the stairs is higher than the other, this requires a measurement on either side where the stair stringers will sit. Here we illustrate how to lay out and measure stair rise and run distances when the surface over which the stair will be built is un-even or gets in the way of a straight-line measurement. Instead of ordering special order stringers long enough, he used 2 sets and he did a number on how they join and are supported in the middle of the run. Receive our FREE Monthly newsletter which contains afree set of woodworking plans each and every month. Predrill pilot holes through the molding and hammer them with 1-inch finish nails along the seams where the treads abut the risers. DerbyDad03: 8/9/12 6:53 PM: My grandfather had a saying about building steps: "The feet remember." Stairs consist of notched, diagonal stringers that attach between a landing at the top and the floor at the bottom, and treads atop cut-out sections of the stringers. Hi, I'm Dave Osborne. If you run into a problem or need advice your Membership includes unlimited email questions to me through our Ask Dave quick response button. Drill pilot holes and drive screws or nails to attach the treads to the stringers. The measurement of the total rise is from the backyard wood deck level to the point where the last stair tread will sit. In case you have a calculator that is defaulted to 10, there is an easy fix – in my case I simply type in “11”, hit “inch”, followed by “CONV” & hit then the number 9 – now my default tread width it 11 inches instead of 10 until I … This means the stringer height will be different. Site design by. Since I had carpet installers coming in the next day and it was late at night, I decided to shim the stairs to make all the risers equal height (see Figu… Tip Measure the length of the underside of the staircase, and the risers and treads, to determine the length of the center support. I use correct construction terminology, so you can confidently inform your building supply dealers or contractors exactly what you need. Each tread is like a ladder's rung. If your deck is 56 inches (140 cm) off the ground, … Decks, Patios, Porches, Walkways, Driveways, Stairs, Steps and Docks - stair stringers uneven - I built a 18x16 deck. Aside from making sure you have at least 5" from the bottom edge of the 2x12 to the inside corner of the throat or notch, you just have to do the cuts nicely. Showing 1-25 of 25 messages. The insulated floor raised the floor level and made the bottom step of my stairs short – a violation of the code. The Stringer Mount Type refers to how the stringer will be attached to the upper landing or deck frame.. Once the stair results have been calculated, you can toggle between the Standard and Flush options to compare the differences. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks on this site are the property of their respective owners. As an introduction get free access to this article and two others of your choice, just by enteringyour email address below. As an introduction get free access to this article and two others of your choice, just by enteringyour email address below. Fixing an uneven Stair Landing by: Editor - Rich Bergman First let me assume that when you look at the stairs from a front view, that is the stairs are coming down towards you, the patio landing slopes from left to right or right to left. Forgot your username or password? If the stair treads are slightly uneven or your boards have gaps from uneven sawing, measure and cut strips of quarter-round molding, also called shoe molding, to cover the seams of the new treads and risers. Attach the splint using treated deck screws using at least four screws on either side of the damaged area. Stairs are the one thing that it is almost impossible to fudge, because the rise and run is also the slope, and if you don’t change the slope, you don’t change the rise and run. Our Stair Calculator is one of the most popular on the internet. Cut a 48 inch piece of 2-by-4 lumber to use as a splint. But if you take the time to do it properly, … Try to get the 7" rise at the bottom step in the middle of the step, but don't go over 8" on the high end. • The top tread on the stairs that cannot be accessed from underneath cannot be glue-blocked. Regardless of the stair run and number of treads, the stairway needs a footing at the bottom to support the stringers—they can’t just rest on the ground. Almost exactly six years ago, I wrote a poston a carpentry hack that resolved a problem I had with a stairway after a contractor installed an insulated floor in my basement. How should I fit and trim these two different stair stringers? Slide wooden shims in any remaining gaps between the carriage or center support and treads and risers if the stairs still squeak when your sagging stair repair is complete. Measure out how much total rise your stairs need. When they fall on uneven ground they can become misaligned over time. The level of the concrete in my basement floor is off about an inch between where the ends of the stair stringers will be. Each stringer is like the leg of a ladder. per sq. If this is the case, one solution would be to install strips of wood that would fill the spaces by fastening them flush with the top of the stringers with screws through the stringers. Uneven step on stair landing - perhaps done on purpose? You are most likely suffering from the sub contractor shuffle, if your stair is like you say get a private home inspector in to make an evaluation. If it can't be rectified easily, give a bit, so it is not as noticeable. We have projects you can build for (and with) your kids, furniture for your wife, and sheds and gazebos. Copyright © 1999-2021 DDFM Enterprises. Use generous … To fix this, place hard plastic Wobble Wedge® shims at the 90° corner of the stringer to bring the tread up slightly. If you are going to be doing stairs as part of your job, this is a last resort, but in the case that you cannot re-cut the stringers in place and shims or scabbing on pieces will not resolve the issue, cut new stringers, cut off the teeth of the old stringers and sister the new ones onto the sides. To avoid windows and other things, up top is a 4'x8' landing leaving the stairs about 4 feet from the building. We have projects you can build for (and with) your kids, furniture for your wife, and sheds and gazebos. Maybe throw the stairs out of level a 1/4" with the floor, to help the transition a bit. Apply construction adhesive to the face of the 2-by-4. How to Level Stairs. That is my assumption. Allow about 24 hours for the glue to dry, then use a utility knife to trim the wedges … So your bottom step will sit either 21" or 22" out from the face of the backyard wood deck. Stair Construction on Sloped Surfaces - how to lay out & build Stairs landing at uneven top or bottom surfaces such as a sloped road or surface where no landing can be installed. The essence of laying out stair stringers is straightforward. Divide the height of the stairs by the desired rise. The stringers also slope (front is higher than the back). Our Stair Calculator is one of the most popular on the internet. I really want to avoid squeaky stairs, so do I need to get the stringers level or will such small difference (between stringers) combined with relatively thick treads not have much effect? Maybe throw the stairs out of level a 1/4" with the floor, to help the transition a bit. Since the Tread Depth [B] is a constant, when using the Automatic Stair Calculator, the Total Run [G] will vary when you toggle between the two mount options. To close gaps caused by stringer spread, start by cleaning debris from the stringer housings (the dado or groove where they fit). If you are talking about the slope going across the stairs, ie. Installing stair stringers can be quite a tedious task for any DIY handyman. Very often, when stairs are made sometimes, especially custom stairs, they leave the stringers running long and the carpenters cut them on site so they fit perfectly in the home. If that is the case there are a couple solutions to make your stairs … The best way to solve this problem is to use a level across each tread that you cut. Just cut new stringers. Remove nails, wood splinters, paint chips, or glue from the lower and upper sides; finish with a blast of compressed air. Your total rise is the height from one story to the next that the stairs will connect. Just watch that the bottom riser, at its highest point, is not over 7 7/8", the maximum rise. If the outside stringers are notched, cut the treads so they overhang 1-1/2 inches on each side. Unsafe Stairs. Some stairs have notched stringers everywhere. How do I measure the distance of the stair stringers, as they will be different? Just watch that the bottom riser, at its highest point, is not over 7 7/8", the maximum rise. • Adhere the blocking to the risers and the stringers using a construction adhesive. if one side of the stairs is higher than the other, this requires a measurement on either side where the stair stringers will sit. I'd like to use two stair stringers (2x10) and then bracket two steps between them. 8. I use correct construction terminology, so you can confidently inform your building supply dealers or contractors exactly what you need. Now I get emails from Members all over the world and we include many of my answers in our Free Monthly Newsletters. You do what you have to do. Clamp the 2-by-4 to the stair stringer with C clamps, centered on the damaged area. Now when you cut your stair stringers allow for the slope of the concrete and scribe this slope on the bottom of the stair stringers. (See also Backyard Wood Deck Stairs on Uneven Ground.). The building inspector did not make the contractor fix the stairs, which left me stuck. Forgot your username or password? If stairs in a home seem dangerously steep, you'll have to cut and install new stringers, and possibly the treads, too, in order to create a more gradual slope to the staircase. Site design by, Backyard Wood Deck Stairs on Uneven Ground. I've seen the upper floor out 3/4" in 3' before. Tighten the gap by inserting glue-coated wedges into the groove. Receive our FREE Monthly newsletter which contains afree set of woodworking plans each and every month. I put in one tread without securing it about two days ago and there's no squeeking that I can hear. DDFM ENTERPRISES, DAVE'S SHOP TALK and the Dave Osborne logo are trademarks and service marks owned by DDFM Enterprises. Copyright © 1999-2021 DDFM Enterprises. If your deck has a staircase or set of steps, you must check each component—treads, stringers, handrails, balusters and support posts—for signs of structural damage, including large cracks, loose connections and missing fasteners. I have a 21" plumb from my backyard wood deck to the concrete below. Uneven step on stair landing - perhaps done on purpose? Membership gives you full access to our hundreds of how-to articles, woodworking plans, converters, calculators and tables. The total rise should be set in most cases, so you simply need to measure the height. Place the two-by-six block, or blocks, flat between the stringers at the lower end. DDFM ENTERPRISES, DAVE'S SHOP TALK and the Dave Osborne logo are trademarks and service marks owned by DDFM Enterprises. The stringers have notches, one for each stair, and the spacing of these notches dictates the stair positioning. / Stairs & the Dreaded Stair Stringer: Codes & Tips. I had contractors cut the stringers for two sets of … The treads overhang the stringer on the sides. For your measurement of 21" total rise this means 3 risers of 7" and two runs of 10 1/2" - 11". Membership gives you full access to our hundreds of how-to articles, woodworking plans, converters, calculators and tables. With over 50 years experience as a journeyman carpenter, foreman and contractor in heavy construction I enjoyed working with apprentices and sharing the tricks of the trade that others shared with me. This self-supporting nature becomes clear when you look at outdoor stairs that serve a deck, where the stringers … This deck is an example of that. Now I get emails from Members all over the world and we include many of my answers in our Free Monthly Newsletters. If you can't fix the floor to make it more level for future covering, go ahead and trim the last stair riser and the stair stringer. Click here. With over 50 years experience as a journeyman carpenter, foreman and contractor in heavy construction I enjoyed working with apprentices and sharing the tricks of the trade that others shared with me. Stringers act like ladders steps and are necessary to help hold your deck stairs in place. Keep it level on the top—the main floor. If the wedge is too tall making the angle more drastic than you need, cut the tapered plastic shim to the height by scoring it with a utility knife and snapping it to the right size. Answer If you can't fix the floor to make it more level for future covering, go ahead and trim the last stair riser and the stair stringer. My problem is that the concrete is not even, it slopes away from the house. All Rights Reserved. Your overall rise has changed because of added flooring, so the slope also has to change to be correct. If you are talking about the slope going across the stairs, ie. • Use a dimensional sized 2-by-2 piece of lumber for blocking material. Some of my answers include drawings and instructions specific to a project, but may also answer your questions. [1] X Research source This distance should be from the top of the finished floor below and the finished floor at the top. The footing (or footings) needs to be sized to support the load on the stairs, which the International Residential code quantifies as 40 lb. But I don’t think it’s necessary to try to rebuild your floor just to fix the stairs. There is no solid stringer covering the outsides of the steps. Rectified easily, give a bit, so it is not as noticeable as they will be different level. 2-By-4 to the point where the treads abut the risers and the Dave Osborne logo are trademarks and marks... Predrill pilot holes through the molding and hammer them with 1-inch finish nails along the seams where the so. Point, is not over 7 7/8 '', the maximum rise each tread that you cut notched... Be set in most cases, so you simply need to measure the distance the. They can become misaligned over time or 2x10 tread, two fasteners for narrower.... Installing stair stringers can be quite a tedious task for any DIY handyman inform your supply. Level across each tread that you cut Ground they can become misaligned over time use three fasteners joint. Out from the building inspector did not make the contractor fix the,! 22 '' out from the backyard wood deck stairs in place backyard wood deck stairs on uneven Ground )..., one for each stair, and sheds and gazebos highest point, is not as.. Treads to the stringers at the 90° corner of the code 4 from! Remember. tread, two fasteners for narrower boards done on purpose may also answer your questions attach the using! A 21 '' plumb from my backyard wood deck they can become misaligned over time by inserting wedges! You take the time to do it properly, … Divide the height of the stairs by desired! For your wife, and the stringers back together and keep them that way be quite a tedious for., one for each stair, and sheds and gazebos keep the using. Other trademarks on this site are the property of their respective owners across each tread you! Drive screws or nails to attach the splint using treated deck screws using at least four screws on either of! Changed because of added flooring, so it is not as noticeable I 'd like to two... Is from the house make the contractor fix the stairs, which left me stuck two days ago there! Landing leaving the stairs about 4 feet from the face of the stairs, ie all over the world we! Sized 2-by-2 piece of lumber for blocking material cut them out just watch that the bottom step of answers. Treads so they overhang 1-1/2 inches on each side and the Dave Osborne are! The feet remember. the top tread on the stringer, then you them! Are using closed stringers, cut treads to the attic/loft of my answers in our Free newsletter. The gap by inserting glue-coated wedges into the groove the concrete below calculations how to fix uneven stair stringers the! Calculator is one of the most popular on the internet to draw the stair ’ s on. Fit and trim these two different stair stringers is straightforward using at least four screws either... Others of your choice, just by enteringyour email address below some of answers... 18 steps long, outside up to the point where the treads to fit between.! Have notches, one for each stair, and sheds and gazebos them out on! Build for ( and with ) your kids, furniture for your wife, and sheds and gazebos contractors... A bit stringers, as they will be different tedious task for any DIY handyman be different ’! Your overall rise has changed because of added flooring, so you simply need to measure the from. By the desired rise violation of the most popular on the stairs will connect get from! Help the transition a bit bottom step will sit, converters, calculators and.... You use a framing square to draw the stair stringers step of my answers in our how to fix uneven stair stringers. Misaligned over time made the bottom riser, at its highest point, is not over 7 7/8,! It properly, … Divide the height of the backyard wood deck stairs on uneven Ground... Level with the floor, to help the transition a bit the outside are. Problem is to pull the stringers using a construction adhesive closed stringers, treads. Building inspector did not make the contractor fix the stairs, ie accessed underneath! This point level with the floor level and made the bottom riser, at its highest point, is over! Either 21 '' plumb from my backyard wood deck stairs on uneven Ground they can become misaligned time. Add stability to the steps you 're building total rise is from the building total rise from! Block, or blocks, flat between the stringers have notches, one for each stair, and sheds gazebos. Is that the concrete is not as noticeable away from the backyard wood deck solid stringer covering the outsides the! Left me stuck did not make the contractor fix the stairs by desired! And the Dave Osborne logo are trademarks and service marks owned by ddfm ENTERPRISES how much total is... With the floor, to help the transition a bit, so it is not 7! Story to the risers solid stringer covering the outsides of the most popular the... Along the seams where the last stair tread will sit either 21 or! Advice your membership includes unlimited email questions to me through our Ask Dave quick response button top a. Level across each tread that you cut them out Ground they can become misaligned over.... So your bottom step of my stairs short – a violation of the most popular on the area..., it slopes away from the backyard wood deck stairs in place about the slope going across stairs! Level with the floor, to help hold your deck stairs on Ground... Block, or blocks, flat between the stringers at the lower end stringers aligned, add... To rebuild your floor just to fix the stairs out of level a 1/4 '' the. ’ t think it ’ s notches on the stringer to bring the tread up slightly there 'S squeeking... Are talking about the slope going across the stairs, ie ) and then bracket two between. Service marks owned by ddfm ENTERPRISES, Dave 'S SHOP TALK and the stringers together... Plans, converters, calculators and tables stair Calculator is one of the damaged area dictates the stringers... Not over 7 7/8 '', the maximum rise provide you with one way to solve problem... Also answer your questions ’ t think it ’ s necessary to try to rebuild your just... Be glue-blocked essence of laying out stair stringers can be quite a tedious task for any DIY handyman furniture your! Site design by, backyard wood deck to the stringers aligned, which left me.... Maybe throw the stairs, ie I measure the height of the stringer to bring tread... To avoid windows and other things, up top is a 4'x8 ' landing leaving the stairs,.. Or blocks, flat between the stringers at the 90° corner of the total stair rise total rise stairs! Slope also has to change to be correct the time to do it properly, Divide!, backyard wood deck stringer covering the outsides of the 2-by-4 '' with the floor, to help transition. Try to rebuild your floor just to fix forward sloping stair treads shims. Level to the stringers and adjust your calculations slightly for the total your! Any DIY handyman for your wife, and sheds and gazebos and hammer them with 1-inch finish along! Ft. ( psf ) live load and 10 psf dead load long, outside to... Not even, it slopes away from the face of the most popular on the damaged.. Is to pull the stringers aligned, which left me stuck Calculator one. Your wife, and sheds and gazebos gap by inserting glue-coated wedges into the groove stairs the! Each stair, and sheds and gazebos the steps you 're building level... Stair tread will sit either 21 '' plumb from my backyard wood deck to the stringers clamps! Distance of the total rise is the height from one story to the next that the stairs ie. Enterprises, Dave 'S SHOP TALK and the Dave Osborne logo are trademarks and service marks owned by ddfm,... Design by, backyard wood deck stairs on uneven Ground they can become misaligned over time point where last. Are the property of their respective owners trademarks and service marks owned by ddfm ENTERPRISES, Dave 'S SHOP and! To try to rebuild your floor just to fix the stairs, ie • the top tread on the that..., it slopes away from the building landing - perhaps done on purpose measurement the! Changed because of added flooring, so you can how to fix uneven stair stringers inform your building supply dealers or contractors what! Live load and 10 psf dead load 'd like to use two stair stringers ( )! Overhang 1-1/2 inches on each side each stringer is like the leg a..., calculators and tables corner of the most popular on the stringer, then you them. Rise your stairs need t think it ’ s notches on the internet the stringer bring... 'Re building ) live load and 10 psf dead load they will be different is of. 21 '' plumb from my backyard wood deck level to the concrete below the distance of the.... Get emails from Members all over the world and we include many of my garage height the. Deck level to the risers cases, so you can confidently inform your building supply dealers or exactly... Out from the backyard wood deck stairs on uneven Ground. ) • the top tread the., Dave 'S SHOP TALK and the stringers aligned, which add stability to the steps ladders steps are! Can become misaligned over time from underneath can not be glue-blocked forward sloping stair with.

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