To repair steps on a deck, the typical process involves identifying the damaged component, removing it carefully, and installing a suitable replacement piece. This often focuses on repairing or replacing damaged stair treads or structural elements like stringers.
Here's how to approach repairing deck steps, focusing on common issues like damaged treads:
Damaged treads are a frequent issue on deck steps, often due to rot, splitting, or excessive wear. Repairing them involves removing the old tread and fitting a new one.
Steps to Replace a Damaged Stair Tread:
- Inspect the Damage: Assess the extent of the damage. Is it just the tread, or are underlying components like stringers or risers also affected?
- Prepare to Remove the Old Tread:
- Identify how the tread is attached. Treads may be set into a dado (a groove cut into the stringer), nailed or screwed to a cleat (a small block of wood) attached to the side of a stair stringer (the angled support board), or resting on a notched stringer (where the stringer itself is cut in the shape of the steps).
- According to the reference, if the tread is significantly damaged, you can cut through the middle of the damaged stair tread to remove it. This often makes prying up the two halves easier than trying to remove the whole board intact, especially if nails or screws are stubborn.
- If there is a notched stringer in the center of a wider set of steps, using a nail puller will be necessary to extract any fasteners driven down into that center support, as access might be limited.
- Remove the Old Tread: Use a pry bar, hammer, and potentially a reciprocating saw to carefully remove the cut sections of the old tread. Be cautious not to damage the stringers, risers, or adjacent treads. Remove all old nails or screws.
- Measure and Cut the New Tread:
- Measure the length, width, and thickness of the space for the new tread.
- Measure and cut new board to the exact dimensions of the old tread or the opening, using weather-resistant decking lumber (like pressure-treated wood, cedar, redwood, or composite decking). Ensure the cut edges are clean and straight.
- Fit and Fasten the New Tread:
- Test fit the new tread piece. Trim if necessary.
- Secure the new tread using appropriate outdoor-grade fasteners (deck screws are often preferred over nails for better holding power and easier future removal). Fasten into the stringers and any cleats or dados. Ensure fasteners are driven flush or slightly countersunk.
Understanding Tread Attachment Methods
The reference mentions different ways treads can be attached. Knowing these helps in removal and installation:
- Dado: A groove cut into the stringer where the end or edge of the tread fits. Removal might require sliding the tread out or cutting it to free it.
- Nailed/Screwed to Cleat: A small piece of wood is attached to the side of the stringer below where the tread sits. The tread is fastened into this cleat. This method requires fastening into both the stringer and the cleat.
- Notched Stringer: The stringer itself is cut out to create ledges for the treads and risers to sit on. Fasteners go down through the tread into the top edge of the notched stringer.
Other Potential Step Repairs
While the reference focuses on treads, deck step repair can also involve:
- Repairing or Replacing Stringers: If the main angled supports (stringers) are rotten or damaged, they may need reinforcement or complete replacement, which is a more structural repair.
- Repairing or Replacing Risers: The vertical boards between treads (risers) can also rot or split and are typically nailed or screwed to the stringers and treads.
- Fixing Loose Railings: Handrails and balusters on step railings can become loose and may need re-fastening or strengthening.
Always use lumber and fasteners rated for outdoor use and compatible with your existing deck materials. Proper sealing and maintenance can help extend the life of your repaired steps.
