How to fix worn steps on a wooden staircase in old terraced house

[bp]

Hi,

I live in a terraced house approx 100yrs old. I have only bought this house a while ago

The other day I lifted up the carpet on the stairs as I have always felt that they were not right in some way.

Lifting up the carpet I could see that the step (the bit of wood that you stand on when climbing) is totally worn out. I would say the stairs are the original ones from when the house was built.

Near the edges its OK (as people dont really step there), but the middle of the step is almost totaly gone on some steps. On others it is very badly worn.

The previous owner attempted to fix the really bad ones by screwing a piece of wood, the same size as the step on top. Some steps have this some dont. So as you climb, those steps with a extra peice of wood make the step shorter to climb than others - this is the 'not quite right feeling' I was getting.

Anyway the fix the previous owner applied does not seem that good. The wood itslef as cracked and broken (i guess because he used chipboard).

WHat I want to know is what is the best way to fix. Do I have to replace the whole staircase. This seems expensive.

Is there a way where just the steps can be replaced?

What the previous owner did (fixing wood on top of the worn steps) - is that OK to do. I could use better wood (possible ply etc) and fix onto all steps. the steps would all be the same. Is this OK in terms of safety etc.

Just to add I would not be doing this I would be instructing a carpenter. I just want to know what my options are and whats a good plan of attack

Thanks

Bhupesh

[Lobster]

[snip]

Yes it's possible, but means virtually dismantling the existing staircase to replace the treads. That's certainly the best way.

There's nothing really wrong with doing that, but using chipboard to do the job is totally, utterly stupid as it's the flimsiest stuff there is. Having said that, bear in mind that the height of the top step will still end up lower than the others, and the bottom one will be higher. Might not be considered safe? You need to use the hardest but thinnest wood possible. Thinks... I wonder if you could clad them in 6mm plywood, and then cover that with a L-shaped plate of thin aluminium to protect the leading edge?

I should ask for quotes for doing it both ways, compare them and decide whether the cost difference is worth it for getting the job done properly.

David

[The Natural Philosopher]

This is another case where I would unhestitingly say that MDF is the best material for the job. IF the carpet totally covers it. .

[John Rumm]

Seems a bit excessive as well...

Only if you have easy access to the underside of the staircase - then it might be possible to replace the tread.

If you do it to all the stpes, and use something a bit stronger like 9mm ply then it ought to be fine. I would route a roundover on the leading edges to stop the corner of the step cutting into the carpet.

An extra layer of carpet underlay at the foot and head of the stairs would eliminate most of the difference in rise to the first and last steps without feeling too odd.

[nightjar]

Not easily. The bit that overhangs the vertical part is called the nosing and I would fit aluminium nosings over the existing ones. They are usually fitted to improve grip and / or to make the nosings more visible. Being relatively thin, all you would need to do is screw them down onto the sound parts of the step. Although this is not a UK site, it gives a good idea of the sort of profiles available:

Bignell

[Dave Fawthrop]

|!Hi, |! |!I live in a terraced house approx 100yrs old. I have only bought this |!house a while ago |! |!The other day I lifted up the carpet on the stairs as I have always |!felt that they were not right in some way. |! |!Lifting up the carpet I could see that the step (the bit of wood that |!you stand on when climbing) is totally worn out. I would say the |!stairs are the original ones from when the house was built.

I have *seen* these repaired in historic National Trust or English Heritage properties where perhaps half the original depth of the step, and 1/2 to

3/4 of the area, was removed and replaced with new wood to match the old, it *looked* glued in. The final repair looked OK to me when I walked up them, but I did not examine them closely. No idea how much it cost.

[Richard Perkin]

"bp" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

As others have said, Yes it's possible to replace just the treads and/or the nosing.

However, my own experience is that it cost the same for a repair as for a complete replacement so get a few quotes - there are many joinery shops which specialise in staircases, and if yours is a standard size you will be surpised how cheap they can be.

However, given the age of the house it's likely to need a made-to- measure job. It's also possible if the staircase is steep with narrow treads to 'lose' one of the treads and improve things.

In my case the existing staircase was not only very worn but the banister + balusters had been well and truly butchered in an attempt to 'modernise' the place.

For a custom made replacement staircase (a direct copy of the original - less one tread - including ornate decorative fretwork to the outer (cut) string) in softwood (no MDF!) togther with softwood sticks + hardwood rail and newels, including rails around a long landing cost £2,050 inc VAT, including removing the old staircase and all fitting. There are 3 newels + one half-newel. Depending on what you need doing, I suspect you will not need to spend quite that much.

Note 1: The BCO was complimentary ("That's nice!") which is almost unheard of :)

Note 2: You may find this link helpful for terminology:

Note 3: The site above gives a price of £199 + VAT for a bog standard straight staircase. Told you they could be cheap!

Hope this helps

[somebody]

In message , Richard Perkin writes

[snip]

Just for comparison, I've been quoted £1000 of folding for a made to measure, single winder, MDF treads, nothing ornate, supplied and fitted.

Hth Someone

[meow2222]

can be a good deal cheaper if you make your own, wood is not that expensive.

NT

[Lobster]

I've bought from them in the past - they were excellent. Mine was a straight but made-to-measure staircase which was about £350 delivered IIRC.

David

[John Rumm]

Cost me about £200 all in for made to measure, two quarter winders, slightly fancy spindles, and balustrade etc.

(had to make them myself mind! ;-)

[somebody]

You *could* do mine :-)

(your experience could also come in handy with the rest of the loft conversion while you're about!!!)

[aside] I've got a cracker of a story about the perils of loft conversions.... give me a week or so to 'frame' it in some sort of sense and I'll spew it all forth :-) [/aside]

Cheers Someone

[John Rumm]

Sure... took about 7 days all in I guess by the time the balustrading was done. So add my normal daily rate to the material costs and you might have a deal! ;-)

(in fact, doing the stairs was actually quite a "fun" job - well worth having a bash at)

Help yourself...

Will await tales of woe then ;-)