How to Replace Stair Steps
Are your stair steps squeaky, cracked or downright dangerous? Well, here's a fast and easy way to get them back into good working order. This article will describe the tools and skills needed for your stair step replacement project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Notepad
- Carpenter's pencil
- Wood
- Screwdriver
- Screws
- Hammer
- Hand or power saw
- Drill
- Screwdriver attachment
Instructions
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Examine your existing stair steps and select an intact one as the template for your replacement stair steps. Using a tape measure, measure the template step in all three dimensions--length, width and height--so you can get or make an accurate replacement. Also measure the supporting bracket just underneath the step. Write the measurements on a notepad.
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Use these measurements when purchasing your replacement wood at your favorite lumberyard. Important to selecting your wood is the width and height, or thickness, as most lumber is available only in long planks and will require cutting. If possible, have the lumberyard cut the wood to the length you need. Otherwise, get the next longest size available and cut it yourself. Once you have the steps cut, you may elect to sand, stain, or paint them prior to their installation. Brackets usually do not require additional treatment.
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Select flat head, stainless steel, Phillips screws of a length that is just longer than one and one-half times the thickness of the wood. This will ensure adequate stability for penetration into the supporting structure
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Remove the damaged stair steps by unscrewing the screws that hold it together. If nails were used instead of screws, you will need to pry the wood apart. Begin this by hammering from underneath the step to loosen the nails. Once the wood begins to separate from the attached support structure, you can use the claw end of your hammer to start pulling the wood away from the support brackets. The support brackets are attached to the stair railing. Continue to hit and pull using the hammer, until you can pull the stair step free.
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Because a stair step will need to accommodate heavy weights and heavy traffic, the supporting brackets should also be replaced. Remove the supporting brackets from the railings using a screwdriver or using your hammer as above, with pulling and hitting action.
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Hold the replacement wood supporting brackets, one at a time, just below their former positions so you can see the screw holes exposed. Using your pencil, mark these positions onto the brackets. Place the brackets into position, and use these marks as guidelines for the new screw positions. For stability, do not use the exact same positions as the originals. Using your drill with screw attachment, add the same number of screws but at positions about 1/4 inch from the originals.
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Place your finished wood steps onto the supporting brackets. Use the pencil to mark screw locations, approximately every 2 inches, on the top of the wood, where screws will connect the stairs to the brackets below. Using the drill with screw attachment, drill the screws into the wood. Alternate adding screws to the right and then the left sides of the steps. Continue adding all of the stair steps until the job is complete.
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