how do I fix this problem with my stairs?!

9 years ago

help! my stairbuilder cut my stairs too short and there is a huge gap where the stairs meet the wall. they won't come fix it! my carpenter doesn't know what to do. and I'm suing the stairbuilder for this and other issues. the gap continues across a portion of the tread. brand new house brand new stairs I'm out of ideas!

Featured Answer

anne Symes

9 years ago

You can use Bondo-fill in the crack, smooth it with a straight edge, then sand it flush with the wood when dry. You then can paint the white parts white and the stained parts dark. We had to do something very similar when renovating an old house. We took plaster and lath walls down, and replaced with drywall, but wanted to reuse the door trim. We had a gap between the trim and the new wall, and this was the only solution we could think of. My son is good with his hands, and was able to do this beautifully. Hope this helps!

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Comments (13)

User
9 years ago
I would try to use some moulding and move on. The upper cabinet trim in our kitchen ended up similar because the builder didnt use use a professional carpenter to trim out our custom cabinets. We deducted what we thought was fair from the final payment, my husband bought some trim from the cabinet makers to fill in the gaps himself. That was almost 15 years ago and we never even think about it now. This is my advice if the stairs situation is not a safety issue for you..
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PRO
PPF.
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Could you post a picture standing back a bit so we understand where on the stair this is?

Also one looking down from the top where the tread is away from the wall.
Lindsey
Original Author
9 years ago
carpenter says moulding won't work. stairs are stained with a custom stain so I can't just paint bondo and be done with it. plus stair edge is a bullnose so I'm not sure what to even do with the gap
PRO
PPF.
9 years ago
Just from these pictures, a small piece of molding shown in red to cover the gap. A new, longer piece of cove molding to extend to the wall.

Need more pics to comment on the tread.
PRO
PPF.
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Could you replace the tread? If tread can be removed, you could add a small piece to fill the gap. Stain and replace tread.
Lindsey
Original Author
9 years ago
not sure. can't get the stairbuilder back to do anything. and that seems really complicated since railing is already installed and (now) painted and it requires getting floor guy back to re stain and poly... Ugh
Lindsey
Original Author
9 years ago
also i feel like replacing the tread, that tread will always give me problems and make noise and squeak
PRO
PPF.
9 years ago
All the parts should have been prefinished with only touch ups needed after installation. And if you have the materials, the floor guy should not need to come back to do one tread. That's a DIY project.
Lindsey
Original Author
9 years ago
I can't even do a preschool art project definitely not a DIY...
User
9 years ago
IMO, for a new house build this is not bad if its the only problem, however can understand why you are unhappy. Please let your perfect stair visions to rest and embrace this fixable issue. If you knew what we went through because of the builder just to get an occupancy permit for our house then might help with your perspective. Best wishes for a freat life to you & family in this beautiful new home.
PRO
Ellsworth Design Build
9 years ago
I presume the stairs were built off site then delivered assembled?

Regardless, the stair builder can carefully remove two spindles, then remove and replace the one tread that is too small. The area that ppf highlights in red I would fill with filler painted to match the trim.

None of this is hard for the professional, I wonder why they aren't cooperating. Presumably you still owe a payment on this portion?
Lindsey
Original Author
9 years ago
no, paid in full! they insisted I pay in full before delivery! I am taking them to small claims I don't even want money from them I just want them to come fix it.