Check Tread Level and Stringer Fit
From How to Measure Outdoor Stairs for Treads · Step 5 of 6 · Video by The Tall Carpenter
Showing 12:00–14:21 of the source video. Watch the full video with every moment.
What happens in this clip
Place a spirit level on various treads to ensure they are perfectly horizontal. The presenter notes that some treads might be slightly high or low. Also, check the bottom of the stringer where it meets the floor. Mathematical calculations confirmed a 6.6mm discrepancy, indicating a small amount needs to be trimmed from the bottom stringer for a perfect fit. Use a spirit level to check the plumb of the newel posts, ensuring they are vertical.
Goal: Use a level to check all treads for levelness and verify the fit of the stringer against the floor, making small adjustments as needed.
What's used
Tools
- Oscillating Multi-tool
- Spirit Level
- Tape Measure
About the full video
This video provides a detailed, step-by-step guide on installing a pre-fabricated wooden staircase in a new build or renovation project. The process covers preparing and notching newel posts, assembling the staircase components with glue and dowels, securing the main structure, installing the handrail, and fitting the decorative bullnose at the bottom, highlighting precision measurements and adjustments for a flush and stable fit.
What's said in this clip
see if we need to put this here. uh see uh if we need to trim any off the bottom of here. Obviously, as I said, I'll put my level on there to make sure that they're level. Check this uh once that's level across that tread as well. Check this for right. We can also double check the measurements cuz we know what the uh rise is so we can times it by how many however many treads are. But yeah, even if hopefully uh either that's got to be jacked up a little bit, it may be spot on, but worst case we can jack up a little bit or we can cut a bit off it. So, let's double check that. Right. So, put my level on it there. Let's have a look. So, we can see there. Interesting. Look, that shows it's very slightly low. If I try the next one, shows it's very slightly high. The next one slightly high. So I think slightly high. Look. So I think uh we're very slightly high. So I'll check the mathematical measurements here. But it looks like we we're on the right side here. We might just have to trim 5 mil off the bottom of that. So brilliant. Right. So just done a bit of mathematics. As I said, the rise is 196.8 and we got 12 treads down to this tread here. So uh that times by that is 2361. So, we should be looking for a measurement of 2361 from this tread up to the floor up here. So, let's have a look. As I said, I think we're a bit high. So, I'll pull my tape out. Here we go. What we got? Hold the camera as well. There. Yeah. So, as we thought, look what we got there. Can you see that? 2 3 55. So basically what we talking uh five or six mil we got to come down. So yeah spot [Music] on. Right. That's that bottom cut there. What I've done now is cut a little prop if you can hear me. Cut a little prop under this side here. Um put a level across. It's showing very slightly high there, but I'm not worried cuz there's slight diff a little bit of a discrepancy in this bottom step. More
Automatically transcribed from the source video.
Step 5 of 6: Check for Stair Squareness and Level
Use a carpenter's square to check if the corners of each tread are at a 90-degree angle. Use a level to confirm that the tread surface is flat and level from front to back and side to side. Note any discrepancies or deviations from square and level. These imperfections will need to be accounted for when cutting and fitting new treads, potentially requiring shims or adjustments.
Every video in How to Measure Outdoor Stairs for Treads
Step 1: Inspect Existing Stair Structure
- 0:00–0:13 Assess Existing Stairs and Planning
- 0:00–0:59 Assess Existing Unsafe Staircase
- 0:00–0:12 Remove Old Stairs and Assess Site
Step 2: Measure Tread Depth
- 0:31–1:01 Measure Riser Height and Tread Depth Consistency
- 0:00–0:03 Measure Individual Stair Components
- 0:55–1:05 Measure and Cut First Tread
Step 3: Measure Tread Width
- 0:21–0:53 Measure Stair Tread Width
- 0:00–0:03 Measure Individual Stair Components
- 7:25–8:46 Measure Winder Steps Width
Step 4: Measure Riser Height
Step 5: Check for Stair Squareness and Level
- 1:11–2:23 Identify and Measure Out-of-Square Deviations
- 12:00–14:21 Check Tread Level and Stringer Fit (this video)
- 0:18–0:24 Verify Overall Frame Squareness, Plumb, and Level
Step 6: Document All Measurements and Irregularities
- 3:09–4:52 Record All Measurements on Template
- 0:00–0:03 Measure Individual Stair Components
- 1:36–2:16 Measure Worn Sections for Code Compliance
How to Measure Outdoor Stairs for Treads
This project outlines the process for accurately measuring outdoor stairs to determine the correct dimensions for new treads. This involves understanding the existing stair structure, taking precise measurements of each step, and accounting for any irregularities.
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