Build Update: Making A Staircase || Dr Decks

[@therabbitchannel2059]

I've built a lot of stairs. We get some ice from time to time so I started raising the bottom of the stringer so the nose of the steps were 1/4' above level. That way you would slide into the stair instead of off it. You could never feel the difference and it made it much easier to get up and down in the winter. I got the idea after sliding off of one too many steps. Customers loved it.

[@richardmckrell4899]

I doubt that's code which means you take a risk of getting sued and losing. It's best to make treads as level as possible.

[@therabbitchannel2059]

@@richardmckrell4899 How long have you been a carpenter? I did it for over 30 years. Now cite the code that says I can't raise the stairs.

[@richardmckrell4899]

@@therabbitchannel2059 Actually if you want to be really technical about it. Solid exterior steps are supposed to have a 1% slope toward nose so water drains and doesn't freeze. Now for deck steps with a space between tread boards, no slope is really needed however if there was any slope it should still be toward the nose not the riser. Guess you have 30 years of carpentry work flushed down the drain. Better luck in your retirement.

[@dougcarlson6800]

Mid-span support thank you for code compliance. I have seen many instances where there wasn’t any support. Scary stairs

[@samnorris6336]

Thanks for this one. I’m getting ready to install stairs on my deck (with bladder). Very helpful!!

[@drdecks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pcatful]

With stringers so close together the deflection of the deck boards is not an issue, really, but the solid risers do make the whole assembly better and help brace the stringers from twisting.

[@jennm1505]

What railing is this?

[@sobyx1]

How do you account for the extra lateral and vertical forces of adding the stairs since they are supported by the deck? Any potential concerns?

[@kwaskeconstruction3382]

Question, we haven't found any tapes that are UV warranted... Have you? We're using Sherwin Williams fluid applied flashing/sausage tubes. It does have UV warranted protection

[@pjm360WA]

what happened to the IG?

[@s2krookie]

5 stringers and 2x8 risers on a 36" stair is such a waste of time and money. People really can't control their emotions and think logically.

[@samu3813]

Customer paid 50 grand for it, they are just making sure they overkill in quality. Seriously tho, that stairs need only 2 stringers and a 2x6 risers flushed top would do it. I have also done 2 2x4 with a slight gap to make it look nice (assuming no more spending on the decking board to cover them up) Also, i hope that post you are taping goes top side up, cause if you are putting it top side down then all you are doing is creating a pocket for moisture to collect.. with wood, any kind, best option is keep moisture away, not trap them in while trying to keep some out.

[@Maccongroup]

#how to build one set of stairs in the 4 days 😂

[@chopshop523]

exactly!

[@richardmckrell4899]

First, I don't think the stairs he's building are to code. Most towns require a platform every 147" of run. I counted 14 treads with 10.75 inch treads or 150.5 total stair run. He needs to make the last step a platform. If someone fell down those long steps, he'll probably be sued. Even when you are close to the 147" max run, it's best to do a design with a platform for safety. Falling down 14 steps will kill you. Installing risers has nothing to do with the number of stringers. Stringers are a maximum of 16" on center when using PVC 5/4" decking, just like on the deck itself. 5 stringers is unnecessary as 4 stringers would give you up to 48" wide steps. You'd rather not have unnecessary stringers as too many stringers can cause issues with the treads. Not sure if the riser block in the middle is permanent, if you install on one step, every step needs one. The optimum riser/tread ratio is 2r + t= 25, which would make his treads 10.75. He seems a little foggy on stair requirements as the width of the deck boards has nothing to do with tread depth. Tread depth is determined by the riser height. Always pour the stair end support first, it's simple math to locate. Digging holes and shoveling in concrete with the steps installed is a clown show. The midway stair support is code on long deck stairs, I think a 6 foot maximum run is allowed before a stringer support is needed. He needs to go back and understand stairs a little better, stair mistakes can be deadly.

[@joemaniaci]

Code is totally going to vary entirely on where you live.

[@richardmckrell4899]

@@joemaniaci Very true

[@samu3813]

​@joemaniaci true but what i seem to notice is that some places tend to go on the safer side instead of weaker. Not been any place yet where i saw (per observation as i dont check code every town i visit) a stairs that that i wonder : hmmm, what were they thinking, unless its another DIY. A lot of DIY i see tend to overkill fearing code voilation but then they also make mistakes where it matters most and overkill where it makes no diff.

[@kojoenu1402]

The composite decking manufacturers require closer on center spacing. Trex requires 12” on center. And if you go with their scalloped decking they require 9” on center. Crazy I know, but gotta do what the manufacturer calls out to maintain warranty.

[@nitrometh42]

@@joemaniaci city is following code from 30 years ago???? very unlikely