How to Recover Stair Treads
- 1). Place the point of the nail puller at the seam under the top tread. Strike the opposite end of the flat bar with your hammer and push the bar down to loosen the tread form the riser frame. Slide the bar further under the tread and push down to remove the tread from the staircase. Flip the tread over and flatten the nails protruding from the board to prevent injuries.
- 2). Slide a replacement tread board into place into the empty spot. Drive 2 nails through the tread on each side and 2 nails through the center to secure the new tread to each or the risers below. Countersink each nail with your nail set and hammer driving each nail head 1/16 inch below the surface of the tread. Press wood putty into the holes above the nail heads. Wipe away the excess putty with your fingers.
- 3). Remove and replace each of the stairs one at a time working your way down the staircase. Finish installing each stair tread before removing the next so that there is not an open void in case you, or someone else must use the stairs unexpectedly during the project.
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