I have a staircase leading upstairs directly above another staircase leading to my basement. I’m trying to find a way to remove or replace the center stringer of the upper staircase so I don’t have to duck every time I need to go to the basement. Both outer stringers are supported by walls or at least they will be once the project is finished.
Treds: 1′ x 10’x 28′
Risers: 3/4 x 8 & 3/8 x 28′
I may also distance the stairs below by moving them out and dropping them by one step. I’m looking forward to any advice or alternatives I can use for safe and sound results.
Replies
Can you move the whole upper stair assembly out, affording you one more riser headroom?
Or
Pull the basement assembly back the opposite way, effectively adding one more riser headroom.
Remove the center stringer and you’d have to resupport the treads/risers. With a stair width of 28” I suppose you won’t be moving a refrigerator up there….
But, you never mentioned the “load” that lives there.
Get a long metal sawzall blade and cut along the stringer to release the nails holding it to the wall. It should come out as one piece fairly easily.
Seems like the center stringer was there to support the lath and plaster rather than the stairs. 28 inches isn’t much of a span for treads or risers.