One Step Closer

The weekend at The Ridge was spent with Brent working on the stairs.  All the risers on both stringers have been adjusted to a riser height of 7-1/16".  This was accomplished by cutting out "filler" pieces which were attached to the tread base of each stringer.  The filler pieces were held in place by using plywood has a coupler along with liquid nails and wood screws.  After each piece was attached to the stringer a 2 x 4 was inserted between to provide added strength and stability for the oak treads.

Next weekend, Brent plans to install the skirt boards, drywall and build the landing at the top of the stairs.  If this is accomplished we should have the new oak stair treads installed the weekend before Christmas.

The girls drove over from UT for the weekend.  Classes have ended and finals are in process.  Jennifer already had a test and has two (2) more.  Jessica has several papers due and one (1) test this week.  We also had the 99 Dodge 4x4 pickup towed to a garage at the base of ski mountain road.  The mechanic should advise us the week of the financial impact.  It is very strange not to see the truck parked in the driveway, but there is a lot of extra parking.

The temperature was very mild for this time of the year and we did not have a fire all weekend.  In crossing Newfound Gap, there was no snow and very little ice hanging from the rocks.



The tread base on the stringer before any modificaition.  This stringer was originally fabricated in the 1960s.  This bottom step was about 2-1/2" different in height which caused alot of stumbles at the bottom of the stairs from family members.




Above is a typical filler piece with the plywood coupler.  The filler piece was liquid nailed to the plywood along with three horizonal wood screws.




Here the assembly is set which "caps" the orignal tread base on the stringer and brings the tread base height to 7-1/16".  Additional liquid nails was applied to the coupler and more horizontal screws are used to fasten the coupler to the stringer.




Finally, two long wood screws are inserted in the verticle postion to bind the filler piece to the stringer.  Not shown:  4" nails were shot into the studs and a 2 x 4 member was used as a cross member.  This process was repeated on the other side and for each of the remaining 15 steps.



The deck in front of the house was the ideal location to set-up the saws and work.  The weather during the weekend was great.

 

A view of the mountains from Newfound Gap.  There was no snow or ice.





The state line is at the top of Newfound Gap.