Hi,
I need to replace the stairs to my back deck because the stringers are 
rotting.  The existing stringers are embedded into a small concrete pad, 
and mid-supports are also placed in a small concrete pad.

http://shmish.smugmug.com/photos/507614952_wC8ik-M.jpg

I'm looking for ideas on how I should deal with the concrete.  Do I 
somehow try to chisel out the wood so I can set the new wood in fresh 
concrete?  Cut the wood level with the concrete, set the new wood on the 
top surface, and build forms for a small concrete footing around the 
wood, or???

thanks

On Jun 26, 11:59=EF=BF=BDam, sluggo  wrote:
> Hi,
> I need to replace the stairs to my back deck because the stringers are
> rotting. =EF=BF=BDThe existing stringers are embedded into a small concre=
te pad,
> and mid-supports are also placed in a small concrete pad.
>
> http://shmish.smugmug.com/photos/507614952_wC8ik-M.jpg
>
> I'm looking for ideas on how I should deal with the concrete. =EF=BF=BDDo=
 I
> somehow try to chisel out the wood so I can set the new wood in fresh
> concrete? =EF=BF=BDCut the wood level with the concrete, set the new wood=
 on the
> top surface, and build forms for a small concrete footing around the
> wood, or???
>
> thanks

I would cut the wood off, and if possible remove but use joist tye
hangers to both the new stringers to the concrete.

Wood encased in concrete is guaranteed rot:(

"sluggo" wrote

> I need to replace the stairs to my back deck because the stringers are 
> rotting.  The existing stringers are embedded into a small concrete pad, 
> and mid-supports are also placed in a small concrete pad.

Humm, main reason they rotted probably.  I suspect the concrete was poured 
after the posts and stringer were in place and took a shortcut.

> http://shmish.smugmug.com/photos/507614952_wC8ik-M.jpg
>
> I'm looking for ideas on how I should deal with the concrete.  Do I 
> somehow try to chisel out the wood so I can set the new wood in fresh 
> concrete?  Cut the wood level with the concrete, set the new wood on the 
> top surface, and build forms for a small concrete footing around the wood, 
> or???

The wood needs to be raised above the concrete and all water levels.  It's 
hard to tell for sure but with all that brick and what looks like poured 
cement, it seems you have a wet yard and that was there to address it?

I'm interested in what others have to say here.  I'd personally chisel out 
the wood from the cement and fill it with new (with lifts to hold the 
staircase and removal of rotted part) then raise the cement as needed.  I 
take it just the bottom of the stringer has a problem and not a high 
distance, just a few inches?

cshenk wrote:
> "sluggo" wrote
> 
>> I need to replace the stairs to my back deck because the stringers are 
>> rotting.  The existing stringers are embedded into a small concrete pad, 
>> and mid-supports are also placed in a small concrete pad.
> 
> Humm, main reason they rotted probably.  I suspect the concrete was poured 
> after the posts and stringer were in place and took a shortcut.
> 
>> http://shmish.smugmug.com/photos/507614952_wC8ik-M.jpg
>>
>> I'm looking for ideas on how I should deal with the concrete.  Do I 
>> somehow try to chisel out the wood so I can set the new wood in fresh 
>> concrete?  Cut the wood level with the concrete, set the new wood on the 
>> top surface, and build forms for a small concrete footing around the wood, 
>> or???
> 
> The wood needs to be raised above the concrete and all water levels.  It's 
> hard to tell for sure but with all that brick and what looks like poured 
> cement, it seems you have a wet yard and that was there to address it?
> 
> I'm interested in what others have to say here.  I'd personally chisel out 
> the wood from the cement and fill it with new (with lifts to hold the 
> staircase and removal of rotted part) then raise the cement as needed.  I 
> take it just the bottom of the stringer has a problem and not a high 
> distance, just a few inches?
> 
> 

Yeah, if only the bottom is rotted, you can fake it. Time to poke all 
over with an icepick, and see where rot stops and solid wood starts. 
Clip it off flush, dig out the embedded wood, and use the holes and some 
patching concrete to install anchor bolts for the proper aluminum 
standoffs (Simpson or similar). Impossible to give better advice without 
seeing it in person- a lot depends on how steps were framed. Sometimes 
it is easier and almost as cheap to just tear it all out and build it 
back the right way.  Builder was a slob- you never trap wood in 
concrete, other than maybe expendable fence posts, and even then you 
rest them on gravel, so the water has somewhere to go.

--
aem sends...

"aemeijers" wrote
> cshenk wrote:
>> "sluggo" wrote
>>
>>> I need to replace the stairs to my back deck because the stringers are 
>>> rotting.  The existing stringers are embedded into a small concrete pad, 
>>> and mid-supports are also placed in a small concrete pad.

> Yeah, if only the bottom is rotted, you can fake it. Time to poke all

Cant tell from the pic.

> over with an icepick, and see where rot stops and solid wood starts. Clip 
> it off flush, dig out the embedded wood, and use the holes and some 
> patching concrete to install anchor bolts for the proper aluminum 
> standoffs (Simpson or similar). Impossible to give better advice without

Agreed.  It's hard to do this one without a rebuild unless the depth of 
damage is minimal.  I worry the mid-supports are going too at the base?

On Jun 26, 10:59=A0am, sluggo  wrote:
> Hi,
> I need to replace the stairs to my back deck because the stringers are
> rotting. =A0The existing stringers are embedded into a small concrete pad=
,
> and mid-supports are also placed in a small concrete pad.
>
> http://shmish.smugmug.com/photos/507614952_wC8ik-M.jpg
>
> I'm looking for ideas on how I should deal with the concrete. =A0Do I
> somehow try to chisel out the wood so I can set the new wood in fresh
> concrete? =A0Cut the wood level with the concrete, set the new wood on th=
e
> top surface, and build forms for a small concrete footing around the
> wood, or???
>
> thanks

How are the supports for the deck itself????