[hunisukl]

Hi, all! I am new to the forum and need help re-securing basement stair treads to the stringer and possibly securing the stringer to the cinder block wall.

The house is a 1956 ranch with unfinished basement. The walls are made of cinder blocks. The stringers are made of a solid piece wood that was routed, meaning the treads slide into the routed space on the inside of the stringers. I think the stringer and treads are separating because the previous owner has run a drip line from furnace along the wall behind the stairs. After the treads began to separate from the stringer, several of the wooden treads broke because they were improperly nailed into the stringer. I can only get to one side of the treads since one of the stringers butts against the cinder block wall. I have attempted to reattach them using a ratchet belt to pull the stringer and treads back together, but they are separating again.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to secure the treads to the stringers so they won't come apart again, and how to possibly secure the one tread to the cinder block wall to keep it from moving as well? I have photos but don't know how to upload them.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Huni

 

[BigJim]

From your description it looks like you have mortise stringers. Can you access the stairs from the bottom? If so you can secure all the treads and risers from the bottom. If you use a pocket hole jig you can screw the treads in from the bottom and install wedges with glue to tighten up the treads and risers.

 

[hunisukl]

Hi, Jim! Thanks for your quick response.

I am able access the stair treads from the bottom. However, because one stringer is up against the wall, I cannot remove the treads from that one easily. Huge nails were used to fasten the treads to the stringers before the staircase was moved into place. I am not sure what a pocket jig is. Please explain. Thanks

Huni

 

[Yodaman]

I like the idea of using the pocket jig, but short of that why not just use angle brackets on each end of the tread, from the bottom

 

[BigJim]

Hi, Jim! Thanks for your quick response.

I am able access the stair treads from the bottom. However, because one stringer is up against the wall, I cannot remove the treads from that one easily. Huge nails were used to fasten the treads to the stringers before the staircase was moved into place. I am not sure what a pocket jig is. Please explain. Thanks

Huni

Sorry I just took for granted that you knew what a pocket hole jig was. This is the one that would be easy to use on the treads.

 

[BigJim]

Here is a video showing how to use the jig:

 

[Yodaman]

Simpson TA9Z Staircase Angle - Zmax Finish

Part #: TA9Z


Click to View 2 more images

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Price: $3.11