How Wear And Tear on Stair Steps Can Create This Building Code Problem - Old House Remodeling

Moments in this video

1. 0:31–1:01 Measure Riser Height and Tread Depth Consistency From How to Measure Stair Tread Depth and Nosing Overhang, Step 3: Measure Total Tread Depth (Including Nosing)

   To perform a precise measurement, take a framing square and position it firmly against the riser and tread of a step. Place the short arm of the square on the tread and the long arm vertically against the riser above it. Note the measurement at the top of the riser. Then, position the long arm of the square along the tread, extending towards the front edge (nosing) of the step, and the short arm vertically against the riser of the step below. Note the measurement for the tread depth. Repeat this process for every step on the staircase. The purpose is to compare the measurements for each riser and tread, ensuring they are consistent throughout the staircase. The video demonstrates this technique on a theoretically perfect staircase to show expected uniformity.

2. 0:31–1:01 Measure Riser Height and Tread Depth Consistency From How to Measure Stair Tread Depth and Nosing Overhang, Step 4: Record Measurements

   To perform a precise measurement, take a framing square and position it firmly against the riser and tread of a step. Place the short arm of the square on the tread and the long arm vertically against the riser above it. Note the measurement at the top of the riser. Then, position the long arm of the square along the tread, extending towards the front edge (nosing) of the step, and the short arm vertically against the riser of the step below. Note the measurement for the tread depth. Repeat this process for every step on the staircase. The purpose is to compare the measurements for each riser and tread, ensuring they are consistent throughout the staircase. The video demonstrates this technique on a theoretically perfect staircase to show expected uniformity.

3. 0:31–1:01 Measure Riser Height and Tread Depth Consistency From How to Measure Outdoor Stairs for Treads, Step 2: Measure Tread Depth

   To perform a precise measurement, take a framing square and position it firmly against the riser and tread of a step. Place the short arm of the square on the tread and the long arm vertically against the riser above it. Note the measurement at the top of the riser. Then, position the long arm of the square along the tread, extending towards the front edge (nosing) of the step, and the short arm vertically against the riser of the step below. Note the measurement for the tread depth. Repeat this process for every step on the staircase. The purpose is to compare the measurements for each riser and tread, ensuring they are consistent throughout the staircase. The video demonstrates this technique on a theoretically perfect staircase to show expected uniformity.

4. 1:02–1:35 Visually Inspect for Staircase Wear and Damage From How to Prep Stairs for Holiday Guests, Step 4: Inspect for Loose or Damaged Components

   After understanding the measurement technique, the video shifts to visually examining the staircase for any obvious signs of wear and tear, which are more common in older structures. It points out that the center sections of the treads are most susceptible to abuse from repeated foot traffic over time. Look for chipped or missing nosing (the front edge of the tread), split sections of the wood, or noticeable depressions and unevenness on the tread surfaces. These visual cues often indicate areas where code violations due to excessive variation are most likely to occur.

5. 1:02–1:35 Visually Inspect for Staircase Wear and Damage From How to Update a Spiral Staircase, Step 1: Assess Existing Staircase Condition

   After understanding the measurement technique, the video shifts to visually examining the staircase for any obvious signs of wear and tear, which are more common in older structures. It points out that the center sections of the treads are most susceptible to abuse from repeated foot traffic over time. Look for chipped or missing nosing (the front edge of the tread), split sections of the wood, or noticeable depressions and unevenness on the tread surfaces. These visual cues often indicate areas where code violations due to excessive variation are most likely to occur.

6. 1:36–2:16 Measure Worn Sections for Code Compliance From How to Measure Outdoor Stairs for Treads, Step 6: Document All Measurements and Irregularities

   Return to the steps identified in the visual inspection as having significant wear. Re-engage the framing square to measure the riser height and tread depth in these compromised areas. As demonstrated in the video, wear can create a noticeable gap or inconsistency between the square and the step surface. Measure this deviation. If this variation (the difference from other steps, or the inconsistency shown by the square) exceeds the maximum allowable 3/8 of an inch, the step is non-compliant. The video implies that such issues can exist even if the overall staircase structure appears consistent, as wear is localized.

Guides that use this video

• How to Measure Stair Tread Depth and Nosing Overhang
• How to Measure Outdoor Stairs for Treads
• How to Prep Stairs for Holiday Guests
• How to Update a Spiral Staircase