How To Repair Steps Separating From Housed Stringers When They Can't Be Pulled Back Together

[@2010stoof]

Thanks for the link. I just used Simpson strong tie brackets with their SDS 1/4"x1.5" fasteners to every step. Rock solid now. Just in case anyone is having this issue, especially with lumber costs About $100 for 20 brackets and 5 fasteners per bracket. 3 into stringer and 2 into tread for the right angle brackets. Got 8" brackets and cut off 3". Used 5" ones for treads and 3" ones for stringer to risers. But risers were alot thinner wood so I just used pocket screws to attach to riser and the SDS fasteners into the stringer. The wood to fix would have cost many hundred dollars. But for 100-150 you can use the 12 guage Simpson right angle brackets. That was enough for 10 steps. Feels rock solid now.

[@stairbuilding]

If you use an inch and 1/2 fastener like a lag bolt or screw and the stringer is at least an inch and 1/2 thick then I say go for it, but the stairway I'm talking about usually has side stringer's that aren't more than an inch thick and in some cases they are three quarters of an inch thick. Smaller thicknesses might make it difficult for the screws to hold over time and thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[@J.Weldon]

Thank you so much for making this video! I have this exact problem on the first three stairs in a townhouse I'm fixing up and I had never seen stairs built like this. Earlier today I used some 2x4 and 1x4 scraps vertically to support the treads and also added some blocking that I screwed into the stringer, I wasn't sure if this was the best way to repair the stairs, so I decided look on youtube . I had already planned to continue the repair tomorrow and now after seeing your video I know I'm on the right track. I'll remove the blocking and add more vertical support. I don't think I'll have to remove any treads or risers...luckily, I have access through a storage area. Thank you again for making this video!

[@stairbuilding]

You're welcome and thanks for sharing your story.

[@kevingay5032]

Simple clear easy to follow. Well done a great help

[@stairbuilding]

Glad it helped

[@TheChoirDirector]

Your video is so perfect to help in my situation - thanks!

[@stairbuilding]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pdub_originalpdub8173]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@stairbuilding]

You're welcome!

[@TheChoirDirector]

This is so helpful!!! Thanks!

[@stairbuilding]

Awesome!!!

[@thomasalati1662]

All my treads are split and not safe for my young children. We can’t get behind them. But we’re getting the new treads in but now the sides are bowing out and cracked the old plaster. I noticed it is also all tied into the railing in the middle given these are third floor stairs with a two step landing. How should I fix or how can I ensure the stairs fit well into the slots of the stringers. The repair man also really damaged and scratched the molding everywhere. Any recommendations??

[@ryanjones6406]

this is awesome, thank you!

[@stairbuilding]

You're very welcome!

[@thecrazybiggin]

I would love your opinion on, I have a similar issue though I can get under the stairs. the stringers are 1.5 inches thick as are the treads. I can see the nails holding up the stair tread still. I was going to jack a tread and use a clamp to pull the stringer in and then screw a 2.5 in construction screws in between the two nails that were attached to secure it better and also hammer the nails in. do you think this is a good plan since they are separating?

[@stairbuilding]

If you can't get under stairs, then can you remove the riser or tread to make repairs?

[@augmentos]

Great video tnx

[@stairbuilding]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jjmo33]

Thanks

[@stairbuilding]

Welcome

[@Cardinalfloors]

Do you continue to add verticals even all the way on the top stairs?

[@stairbuilding]

If needed, yes. Sometimes it will be better to do it anyway.

[@Cardinalfloors]

@@stairbuilding thanks for the response! I did it today and put a vertical 2x4 where the riser and step meet all the way to the top and it fixed the issue! Thanks so much for this vid it helped immensely

[@MrWolfSnack]

I have a minimal traditional house from 1950. The kind of postwar homes that are all laid out exactly identical for an entire neighborhood. My staircase has the stringers and then the stair step is just routered into the stringer a few MM's and then its nailed into place with smooth nails. A single smooth nail on each side holding those steps up for each step. The entire staircase itself is just nailed into the floor joists with bigger smooth nails I noticed that my steps are beginning to separate from the stringers and the nails are showing. There is no brace blocks or any other wood under the stair tread. It relies solely on those two nails holding it in. I have no idea how to reenforce this. One side is closed off to a wall and the other side is open to the room. The side closed off to the wall is the worst side. I had an idea to peel the carpet up and go through the top of the step diagonally into the stringer with a deck screw to try and pull the stair back into the stringer without disturbing the nail's position and hopefully get the nail to go back into its hole. Then for the other side just go straight on from the side. Not sure if this would solve it? The side open to the room is just free-floating with no supports to anchor it. The side closed off to the wall is anchored into the wall studs. Another idea I had was to whack it with a sledgehammer and try and force the other side back in from the shockwave, but the wood used are soft and just a normal hammer will dent or punch through the wood. Also the stairs were originally open steps but evidently were closed off to make full steps and they just used wood wall paneling to make the riser and glued the carpet to that. This is so stupid. I need to get this fixed or else my stairs are gonna fall down trying to get my broken water heater carried out of the basement. Another idea I had was to add some jack posts under the middle of the stairs to help ease the weight load of going up/down the stairs.

[@stairbuilding]

You can email me some pictures or go to the website and check out some of our repair and remodeling videos for stairs.

[@sephiroth7818]

I have a staircase like this and one of the stringers is sinking at the top. I may have to take down the whole stair case and re hang it. There are only vertical studs at the last tread and there are no horizontal studs for the vertical studs.

[@trystonromero7182]

The way an entire stair just fell through my house 😂😂

[@stairbuilding]

That's horrible, I hope no one got hurt.

[@terryandlindaoshea2398]

HELP!!! Our house was built in 1927, and now the stairs going up to the second floor are leaning to the left. We can only see a small area under the stairs, and everything looks good. So why are the stairs lean to the left approx 1/2 inch?

[@stairbuilding]

I have no idea, but it might be time for an inspection. Email me some pictures and I will be glad to provide an opinion, other wise check out our stair repair videos at the website.

[@terryandlindaoshea2398]

@@stairbuilding ….thanks for replying, but I’ve no idea how to send the photos to you here🥴

[@stairbuilding]

@@terryandlindaoshea2398 I think you can find some good stuff at the website, don't worry about the pictures.

[@terryandlindaoshea2398]

@@stairbuilding ….I watched your videos on the website but nothing like the problem we have….is there another way I could send them to you? Sorry but I’m old and not very good with all the new techniqes

[@stairbuilding]

@@terryandlindaoshea2398 I don't have another option, but if you figure something out, let me know.

[@gloriadale2765]

How to repair risers on stairs that is b😮xed in with ceiling

[@stairbuilding]

You might need to remove ceiling, but most of the time risers can be replaced from above.