Done laying down hardwood stairs, but...

davie101 · **Joined:** Mon May 16, 2011 6:09 am **Posts:** 4

Finally finished this month long project. This was my first and it came out okay, but my very first plank/bullnose almost made me want to cry.
Instead of locking in the bullnose in place with a face nail, I thought the adhesive would be sticky enough to hold it place while I shot nails in at the tongue. Low and behold, it didn't... it moved. I quickly learned and the rest of the steps came out fine. Now Im stuck with this huge gap(last picture). I can't leave it this way. Any suggestions on how to fix it or should I pull it up??

Help

RhodesHardwood · **Posted:** Mon May 16, 2011 9:23 pm

Are you painting that part of the skirt boards? If so you might be able to caulk it. If not, it is just one stair nose. So it would not be that hard to fix.

davie101 · **Joined:** Mon May 16, 2011 6:09 am **Posts:** 4

Yes, still have to paint the stringer and the risers. Caulking stands out too much. I even bought the wood color caulk, very awkward looking.

I'm wondering what kind of damage I will do if I try to pull it up. Its glued down and has about 5 2" nails going 45 degrees into the tongue.

I mean its on there good. Whats the best way to pull it?

RhodesHardwood · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 3:30 pm

The best way to pull it would be to get a wonder bar up under there gradually start prying it up. Move the bar around from side to side then in the middle prying a bit more in each area. You may damage the plywood if their is some under it. If thats the case just remove all the rest of the flooring off the stair and then replace the plywood. As for the idea of caulking it; I meant to use a white caulk that matches the paint that will be on the skirt boards.

davie101 · **Joined:** Mon May 16, 2011 6:09 am **Posts:** 4

thanks for the advice rhodes,

because the board behind the nose is closer to the stringer even the white caulk sticks out. I attached a picture of what underneath. Its looks like pine but a lot stronger. If I damage it I'm screwed. I've never built a step before. Maybe I should bite the bullet and get a pro to pull it.

floormeintucson · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 5:51 pm

I'd take a screw driver or chisel to it and split it off.

davie101 · **Joined:** Mon May 16, 2011 6:09 am **Posts:** 4

FIT, If I decide to pull it that is a thought.

In the meantime lastnight I did something that doesn't look too bad. I chiseled a notch the same size as the biggest gap(nose) all the back to the riser. Then caulked it. At least its a straight line. When I paint the stringer and riser it should blend in with the caulk even more.

What do you guys think?

floormeintucson · **Posted:** Sat May 21, 2011 6:14 pm

Looks good from my house. :mrgreen:

MagicCarpet · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:08 pm

by the way, I like the color of your wall. It looks very neat and matched with the floor. :wink:

Done laying down hardwood stairs, but...

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