Copyright© The first thing you need to do is examine your stairs and determine if the newel post actually sits on top of the stair tread or if the tread itself is notched to accommodate the newel post. That profile is quite simple to do on the ends with a router and roundover bit. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent If you have access to the back of the stairs, do your best to remove the newel posts from that position. If this is what you are up against, then you may need to take the step of cutting the tread and riser out. Replacing or retrofitting these existing stair treads with a non-slip metal stair tread can create a safe walking surface that will last years longer than these other treads. All information is provided "AS IS." We welcome your comments and Once you’re done upgrading your step, read 7 Décor Ideas To Make Your Stairwell Stand Out for a few ideas on upgrading your look! If you can't access the back of the stairs, you will need to find some way to remove the balusters and newel posts. Replacement Stair Treads. I have some stairs that are very basic. They may be dovetailed into position with a piece of wood covering the edge of the stair treads, hiding the dovetail. If there is an open stringer on one side of the staircase and access from beneath, remove the open-side mouldings and release balusters. Providing a definitive answer for how to fix wood stair treads is difficult because there are literally hundreds of scenarios with respect to how the stair was constructed, and newel and baluster placement. Replacing your stair tread takes careful attention but will result in a safer and quieter staircase. The stairway is a closed stringer stair - so I have no access to either side of the stringers as everything is enclosed by. Work the entire front of the stair tread from the edge of one stringer across to the other, lifting in a maximum of 1/8 inch increments as you go along the front of the stair tread. Your stair stringer layout probably rises in the traditional stair-step pattern. Now that you know what you are up against regarding the newel posts and balusters, you need to get started on the actual removal process. Newel posts can be anchored in a variety of different ways. View our Privacy Policy here. Stair treads are the part of the stairs where you place your foot as you climb up or descend them. If you decide to do this, make sure that you take precise measurements of the remaining treads and risers so that you can have pieces cut to the same size to replace them. A similar situation applies to balusters. It has been painted up the sides in the past - so is past being able to stain/varnish. In all these cases, you may want or need to replace your stair treads. Measure and cut to fit. The stair treads could also be mortised into position. Check that the wood wedges, used to lock the treads into their mortised slots, haven’t worked loose or fallen out. A stair tread can be made from many different types of material including laminate, wood and concrete among others. Website operating suggestions. If this is what you are up against, then you may need to take the step of cutting the tread and riser out. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. I had to replace the stair treads on my deck stairs. Kolin Smith Depending on how long the turner takes to make the replacements, you may have a couple of weekends to clean up the wood around the baluster holes-in-waiting. Doing as you describe will compromise all of this. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Step 2- Remove Trim, Newel Posts and Balusters. It is drastic, but a well made staircase was never meant to be taken apart. Cordon off the staircase until the treads are replaced. If the newel post sits on top of the tread, then you will need to remove the newel post before you can remove the stair tread to work on it. We welcome your comments and You may freely link Often, a stairway can be repaired, by replacing the damaged concrete treads. Mortised or "housed" stringers are, in my opinion the best way to fabricate a stair. When you think of stairs, treads are likely one of the first things that come to mind. With the hammer or pliers, pull out any nails left in the staircase structure after the tread has been taken up. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Some of the steps on stringer are damaged - Repair/Replace. Replacement stair treads, also called retro stair treads, are made of real hardwood and are designed to fit right over your existing treads. 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