https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4816197,-77.4500711,3a,37.7y,191.94h,90.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4cp6evBD62MCuR-mxIGOEw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
As of Jul 2023 the mailbox still says 2827 Godhe, so he probably still
owns it.
Where is that nasty old geezer? He hasn't posted in a little over 3
years. Probably overdosed on Vitamin D and is sitting in his chair with
long hair and becoming mummified.
Notice the crumbling stair treads, the weeds growing in the gutter and
what appears to be cracked windows.
To fix the stairs:
* have Home Depot cut the new treads to length.
* use a sawzall to cut the old treads down the middle, then lever them
out. Or hammer up from the side.
* remove all nails and screws.
* very important: before installation, lightly sand the treads by hand
all around with a sanding block. Water seal them, then stain
them
* squirt wood glue onto the stringer surface (the stringer is the zig-
zag piece on which the treads rest).
* press the new tread into place and put some weight on it for a few
minutes. The glue won't set right away but it will help keep the
tread in place.
* stand on the tread and drill screw holes straight down through the
tread and about 1" into the stringer
* screw the 4" wood screws in (I'd go with qty 2 screws on each side of
the tread)
Hints for GodHesDumb:
* before putting the new treads in, I would go under the porch and
add some hangers or screws to strengthen the stringer connection to
the porch
* likely the railing will block you from putting screws in at 90
degrees, so you probably should remove the bottom 2 rails and put
them back in when you're done.
* on your short height porch, I'd start from the bottom when removing
and installing new stair treads. You'll need a certain amt of
leverage and strength to drill holes and put the screws in, and
standing on a new tread might help
* leave your back door unlocked until the job is finished
the building materials are inexpensive:
1) 2"x10"x8' (or 2x12) pine boards at Lowes 3 @ $12 each = $36
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Top-Choice-2-in-x-12-in-x-8-ft-Southern-Yellow-Pine-Lumber-Common-1-5-in-x-11-25-in-x-8-ft-Actual/1000009752
2) 4" flathead phillips wood screws, 4 per tread + spares $4
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Phillips-10-4-in-Phillips-Square-Flat-Head-Wood-Screws-25-Pack-25400/100348669
3) $35 corded drill at Harbor Freight
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/drills-drivers/corded-drills-drivers/63-amp-12-in-variable-speed-drill-59519.html
4) small drill bit to predrill the holes for the wood screws, plus a
Phillips head drill bit. Total $5
5) $55 corded reciprocating saw at Harbor Freight
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/reciprocating-saws/10-amp-variable-speed-reciprocating-saw-56250.html
The saw should come with at least one blade.
6) some wood glue. $4
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-4-fl-oz-Wood-Glue-Epoxy-62020/306912991
7) sanding block, wood stain and wood sealer $20
$90 for power tools, $70 for materials. So total around $160 if you
have to buy everything. Not bad at all for tools and new 2" treads,
glued and screwed and solid. 1" treads might even do the job, but
they'll flex some. The 2" definitely won't.
You might also have a handyman come bid on the job, just to compare.
DO NOT buy the cheapest power tools from Harbor Freight. They might not
even make it through this small job.
If you can't do it yourself, hire someone to clean the gutters and seal
them. Otherwise water will find a way to get out of the gutter and into
the house and cause serious damage.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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