Free Hanging Stairs

mikelscrole

Hi All,

I hope the following desription makes sense and I can take some pictures tomorrow if it does not.

I am renovating a 90+ Year Old home. The stairs to the attic are constructed in three sections (3 Stairs, platform & 90 degree turn, 9 Stairs, another platform & 90 Degree turn, and 3 Stairs) that total a heigh of 8.5 Ft.

The second section of stairs is free hanging on one side and the second platform is free hanging on two sides. The sides that are free hanging have rough cut 2*3s attached to the right side of the stringer up to the left side of the rafter tacked in with one nail in the top and three in the bottom.

I was not planning on changing these but once I had removed the wall I noticed that two of the hanging 2*3s had a striaght saw blade cut through the 2*3 leaving only 1/8" of board remaining attached.

This did not seem safe to me and I feel I should replace these two boards, but I first searched google to see if there was any reason these cuts should be there as it seems like it was on purpose. And even if it was on purpose then if it would be the correct process for today's construction.

Let me know your thoughts / questions and if a picture would be more helpful.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

joecaption

Your going to have to post some pictures.

Millertyme

Please post pic

mikelscrole

Thanks folks, I am not on location until tomorrow, so I will post an update tomorrow...thanks for your time and apologies on not having pictures first.

hand drive

stairs can be confusing and seem they should not be held in the air in such a way but they are. from your descrip it could be that they kerfed ( cut a notch) the board because it had a crown /bow in it and that helped to straighten it out...