Staircase risers

On 28 Jun 2005 05:26:46 -0700,it is alleged that "sam" spake thusly in uk.d-i-y:

When I worked for a carpet fitter (I was the prep guy who did the fixing of the gripper) we had this issue in a lot of modern houses.

We'd just use No6 twinthread countersunk woodscrews, a power screwdriver, bitch a lot about the building quality these days, and bill the customer for the extra work. 4mm sounds a little thin though, we were used to seeing 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch.

Almost sounds like an open staircase somone has added risers to...

Can you get to the back of the stairs? If so you could screw (into the tread) 1/2" ply to the back.

Failing that take the nails out of the gripper and gripfill them, or use a nailgun that will exert far less "push" on the board.

I had exactly the same problem only the risers were thicker than 4mm. I just could not put a nail in them because they were too springy. The answer. .. screw the gripper rods to the vertical risers and just nail them to the treads. I assume you are using two gripper rods at the internal corner with the teeth both pointing inwards?

x-- 100 Proof News -

Thanks all for your responses - John, you could be right about the open staircase. I can get to the back so I think I will choose a combination of all three - nail the gripper rods to 1/2 inch ply and use No6 twinthread countersunk woodscrews to attach the ply to the tread.

Sam

Pull the nails out of the gripper rod and use screws.