A potential client would like the stair treads replaced in her 120 year old farm house. The current treads are all split in the middle lengthwise and sag even as the dog trots upstairs (treads are made of a light pine or cedar.) These treads are not let into the stringers, but rest on the stringers and are nailed down (with old cut nails, btw), no wedges.
Replacing will be relatively straightforward, and I intend to counterbore and screw the treads to the stringers and risers.
My question is, will gluing the treads down to prevent squeaking cause more problems than it’s worth? I’ve never heard of gluing treads down, and any comments would be helpful.
My other misgiving with this job is the sinking feeling the treads will need to be replaced in so many years. Screwing (gluing or nailing) the treads down will prevent wood movement, which will probably cause the treads to crack down the road. Just like they are now.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Replies
Several years ago I ran into a similar situation. The stringers had been cut by a hack using a hand saw, the surfaces were anything but flat. The new treads didn't rock on the stringers but close inspection showed they only made contact in a few places, slight gaps were visible everywhere. I solved the problem by running a generous bead of clear silicone on the stringer before screwing the treads down. The silicone is very gap filling, minimizing squeaks but is elastic enough to still allows for some seasonal wood movement. After the stairs had been in about a year I enquired about the squeaks, so far none.
Sounds like site built stairs, it's the only kind we do when trimming a house with two floors. The framing is never perfect, it's framing. After you figure if the rough stringers need any shimming to make the tread lay level and flat, goober construction adhesive on the shims and stringers and screw away if you like. Nails work fine for me. Try to keep traffic off as long as possible (a couple of days, or not). If you put the treads down solidly, I don't see why you'd ever have to worry about removing and replacing them.
EliphIno!
I do more of my stairs framed on site like that than prefitted and housed. I always run a bead of construction adhesive and nail or screw the treads down. If you've ever taken Const adhesive apart, you know that it is slightly pliable after many years. I reason that it allows for some movement without breaking a bond. I have not heard of or seen any splits. I know of treads installed that way fifteen years ago that are still fine. As a matter of fact, the polyuretheene is barely beginning to show wear so I doubt you will ever have to replace those treads again. They'll last a couple of lifetimes.
Excellence is its own reward!
A stairbuilder I know swears by Gorrila Glue.
Thanks to all for the replies. Hack is an appropriate term for these stairs; the stringers look to have been made with a hatchet, and not a very sharp one, either.
The poor lady tore up the carpet on the steps, and that was about all that was holding these things together.
Thanks again.I never met a tool I didn't like!