On Oct 9, 3:06*pm, jamesgangnc wrote:
On Oct 9, 1:33*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:



On Oct 9, 12:40*pm, jamesgangnc wrote:

On Oct 9, 11:55*am, DerbyDad03 wrote:

On Oct 9, 11:21*am, "Bernie Hunt" wrote:

The tread you can see is the picture is split in the first seam out from the
riser. The stair above it has two seams that failed, the second and third
out from the tread. This places the failure in the higher tread right in the
middle of the tread.

Bernie

"Mike rock" wrote in message

...

Where are the treads split? I can't tell from the pics.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

While I would probably opt for the "fix from below method then
replaster" method, I'll toss out a few other ideas.

Will you be replacing the carpet (wall to wall) leaving the treads
bare, or installing a runner or tread strips?

Replacing the carpet wall to wall opens up options that would be
fairly simple since the tread/wall junction doesn't have to match the
others.

1 - Remove the old tread
2 - Attach some cleats to the wall below
3 - Glue and screw a new tread to the cleats
4 - Cover with carpet to hide the tread/trim junction, or even carpet
the trim.

If you will be leaving the treads bare (or using a runner or carpet
strips) then one possibility for a split that far back is to:

1 - * Drill a series of holes into the face on the tread with a long
bit
2 - Inject glue into the split
3 - Insert and glue some long hardwood dowels
4 - Rig up a clamping system to hold the split closed
5 - Sand the dowel ends (or plug/putty the holes) to finish the
bullnose.

* Obviously the hardest part is drilling straight into the tread while
keeping the drill on the same plane as the tread. Maybe some type of
jig would help with this part of the process.

Another option might be to:

1 - Remove the old tread
2 - Cross-cut a new tread into 2 sections
3 - Glue and screw a piece of hardwood or plywood to the underside of
one section, extending it so it will overlap the cross cut seam.
4 - Insert this section into the dado
5 - Insert the other section into the dado on the other side and slide
both pieces towards each other to the close the seam
6 - Glue and screw the second section to the support piece, obviously
from the top.
7 - Plug/putty the screw holes and cover with a runner or tread
strips.

Obviously the more that the lower support piece extends beyond the
seam, the more glue/screws you can use and the stronger it will be.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I agree with the repair option. *Figure out a way to push on the edge
and put some glue in there. *You never said if it's being carpeted
again? *You didn't find this until you took off the carpet so I'm
thinking it's not a big problem.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"You didn't find this until you took off the carpet so I'm
thinking it's not a big problem."

That may not be so....

I have a couple of creaky treads that I can't get to because they are
carpeted on top and plastered from below. I know a problem exists and
to me it's kind of a "big problem" because they didn't always creak.

I won't be able to find the *cause* of the problem until I rip the
carpet up or remove the plaster, but that doesn't mean it's not a "big
problem" now.

We don't know if the OP stairs were sagging, or creaking or what. All
we know is that he found the split (i.e. the *cause*) when he removed
the carpet. It may have been a big problem for a long time, just not
big enough to warrant ripping up the carpet.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You're not even the op. *If he's putting carpet back on them then
ripping out some of the treads because of a couple cracks is a waste
of time. *Stair treads sit on top of risers, they aren't going to fall
through because they are cracked lengthwise. *And replacing some
treads properly means removing the trim first.

And you probably just need a few nails in the right place.

You're not even the op.

Very astute. What does that have to with anything? All I did was
respond to your comment. Is the OP the only allowed to respond? I must
have missed that in the rules.

If he's putting carpet back on them then ripping out some of the
treads because of a couple cracks is a waste of time.

You're not even the OP. How do you what he doing or why he's ripping
out the treads?

Stair treads sit on top of risers...

The fronts yes, the backs no.

... they aren't going to fall through because they are cracked
lengthwise.

Don't be so sure. Multiple lengthwise cracks as described by the OP
could easily leave a section of tread supported only at the ends,
making it susceptible to cracking front to rear if enough force is
applied to weak spot. However, what is more apt to happen is that the
sections will begin to warp since there is no longer any opposing
forces keeping them flat. See he

http://www.diynot.com/network/rezarf/albums/626/2083