Master Brian
DIY Senior Member
I am trying to figure out what to do with a staircase that goes down to my basement. Part of the problem is that there is dirt in direct contact with wood and there has been past termite damage. The other part is at the top of the landing is an exterior door. This is a low point outside and I get water intrusion under the door. I have a termite solution and my thought for the water intrusion is to cap the landing, which is already concrete, with about 2-3" of concrete and then raise the door up the same amount. If I determine the pad on the landing isn't very thick, it will get torn out and totally repoured vs. capping it.
Currently none of the steps are equal heights or depths. The bottom two steps in the basement are cement, the rest are wood.
I am including a quick sketch, I hope it is clear enough, but to help....
The last step, in the basement, is sandwiched between cinder block walls. It stops 5" from the inside edge of the wall. The last 2-1/2" of that step has 74" of headroom, the rest of the tread has more than that. Like I said, there is a door at the end of the landing, so it is 23" from the stairs. There is also a door at the top of the stairs if that matters. The only headroom issues are the last 3 steps in the basement side.
My question is does anyone have a good solution to reworking these stairs? If my math is correct my treads going from landing to main floor will be 8.4" deep(+overhang) and the distance between treads will be 6.67". I think that seems fine and makes them actually less steep, which is good. I have little children.
Then the ones going from landing to the basement will be 8.2" deep and 8.67" between treads. That is a pretty steep step and a 2" height change per step from the other stairs. Doesn't sound safe. Could I add a step to the lower flight?
If I come out 5", to the inside edge of the block wall, that gives me approx. 73.82" of headroom on the last step, and steps with treads of 7.666" and heights of 7.428". Much better. Problem is that puts the edge of the 2nd to last step at 66.22" of headroom. IF I stay at the 41" space I have and add a 6th step, then I have a height of 7.428", but a tread depth of 6.833". Of course if I overhang each tread about 1-1/4", then I have 8"+ of tread width.
What would any of you recommend? Are my figures correct? I'm not overtly concerned with codes as this is an old house and I have to do what I have to do. It will not be inspected!
Also, how hard is it to pour concrete steps? That would drastically help keep the termites at bay. If I pour the steps would it be possible to cap those with oak treads? Thought on that is construction adhesive the heck out of the tread, then drill 3-4 holes and tapcon screw the oak tread to the concrete base. Thoughts??
Currently none of the steps are equal heights or depths. The bottom two steps in the basement are cement, the rest are wood.
I am including a quick sketch, I hope it is clear enough, but to help....
The last step, in the basement, is sandwiched between cinder block walls. It stops 5" from the inside edge of the wall. The last 2-1/2" of that step has 74" of headroom, the rest of the tread has more than that. Like I said, there is a door at the end of the landing, so it is 23" from the stairs. There is also a door at the top of the stairs if that matters. The only headroom issues are the last 3 steps in the basement side.
My question is does anyone have a good solution to reworking these stairs? If my math is correct my treads going from landing to main floor will be 8.4" deep(+overhang) and the distance between treads will be 6.67". I think that seems fine and makes them actually less steep, which is good. I have little children.
Then the ones going from landing to the basement will be 8.2" deep and 8.67" between treads. That is a pretty steep step and a 2" height change per step from the other stairs. Doesn't sound safe. Could I add a step to the lower flight?
If I come out 5", to the inside edge of the block wall, that gives me approx. 73.82" of headroom on the last step, and steps with treads of 7.666" and heights of 7.428". Much better. Problem is that puts the edge of the 2nd to last step at 66.22" of headroom. IF I stay at the 41" space I have and add a 6th step, then I have a height of 7.428", but a tread depth of 6.833". Of course if I overhang each tread about 1-1/4", then I have 8"+ of tread width.
What would any of you recommend? Are my figures correct? I'm not overtly concerned with codes as this is an old house and I have to do what I have to do. It will not be inspected!
Also, how hard is it to pour concrete steps? That would drastically help keep the termites at bay. If I pour the steps would it be possible to cap those with oak treads? Thought on that is construction adhesive the heck out of the tread, then drill 3-4 holes and tapcon screw the oak tread to the concrete base. Thoughts??