Undersized & Uneven: A Complete Staircase Overhaul
The staircase looked fine - until it wasn't.
Undersized stringers, uneven steps, and multiple code violations made it a safety risk. We rebuilt it from the ground up, the right way.
13 Steps to Doing It Right.
The Existing Condition:
Our customer's staircase was built with multiple code violations and structural shortcuts that made it both unsafe and a liability. What looked like a functional staircase was anything but.
Why it was a problem:
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Stringers were undersized 2x10s with no center stringer on a 42" wide staircase, leaving the structure without adequate support
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Tread depth measured 9-1/4", falling short of the 10" code minimum
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The top step stood 9-1/2" tall, exceeding the 8" residential maximum
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Code allows no more than 3/8" variation in tread height across a single flight. These stairs had a 2-1/2" discrepancy at the top, a serious tripping hazard
Behind the Build
The Solution:
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Rebuilt stringers using proper 2x12s and added a center stringer to provide full structural support across the 42" width
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Carefully calculated and adjusted tread heights across all 13 steps - ranging from 7" to 7-3/16" — to bring every step into perfect, consistent alignment
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Brought tread depth up to code, meeting the 10" minimum throughout
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Fastened all connections with 3" structural screws and PL400 subfloor adhesive for a staircase that is strong, silent, and built to last
Old materials don't haul themselves. Ask about our debris removal add-on.
Clean site, zero hassle.
