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staircase construction help

6 years ago

Hi
does anyone know where I can find info on the building codes for stair construction?
We are in a new construction home and noticed that several of the steps are not level. As in if we are walking down the stairs the tread is also slanted downwards. We put a leveler on the step and it is definitely not level. We are just wondering what is considered “normal” vs “abnormal”. We have small children and I haven’t felt safe walking down the stairs carrying them or having them walk themselves.
Thank you!

Featured Answer

millworkman

6 years ago

"We closed in oct on this new construction by toll."

Rut Ro.........

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Comments (13)

User
6 years ago
https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/IRC2018/chapter-3-building-planning

But, there is no good excuse for interior stair treads to be anything but level.
smileythecat
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Normal is level, abnormal is not, Are they[stairs]temporary ? or permament. All treads and risers should be the same.
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Kinda sounds like you're getting tired of the whole process. BUilding a house is like having a baby....it's hell during the process, but you love it afterword. I'll take a piece of this....The only problem I know of with painting the treads is usually the wood is still "wet", so the primer doesn't get a good grip especially with people walking on it. Horizontal surfaces take a beating...sun, rain, people. I would let it set and dry out (maybe a couple of weeks with no rain), then prime and then use a porch floor paint. I use all-latex outside and oil based on interior woodwork.
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Risers with no landing is code, as long as the door swings into the house. However, it's not a good plan because when you step out of the house then you step onto a stair. A landing as shown in your original plan safer. My second pic is the safest and also gives you the most room in the garage depth-wise. But doing without a landing is easier for him to build. I also question his 12" risers. This is the absolute maximum allowed by code. I've walked steps like that and it's not pleasant or safe-feeling. Remember that you will be carrying groceries etc into the house up these stairs. These are not stairs for occasional use. I would want them to be a comfortable rise and run, not the maximum allowed by code. Although it may save a step or even two to build them to the maximum allowed, I would not want it in my house. Who cares if the stairs go further along the top of the garage. And remember that for stairs, comfortable - safer. The stairs only need to be 3 feet wide. There is no code that requires 5 foot wide stairs. I don't know why he wants to build them so wide. Do not trust him on this. And he idea that he will build something that you need to change later is ridiculous. Why should you have this extra expense? You can easily have something to code that is comfortable. https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2016/08/04/2-rules-comfortable-stairs If it were my house I would want 8 risers that are 7.5 inches high, which gives you your 60" of total rise. There is no reason to have an uncomfortable and unsafe stairway.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
That would be my question to the builder, not here. How can even help. Often the treads are temporary in the bulding phase so ask.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
If it is noticeable, something's wrong.
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
6 years ago
Sometimes when they put the stairs in, they put temporary blocks under them so if your flooring is going to be tile or hardwood, they would slip a few pieces of flooring or 3/4" scraps of plywood to keep the stairs up. If they don't secure this temp pieces to plywood, they get kicked out or when the house is being swept sometimes sweep them out so the stairs will drop down and get out of level. Just bring it to your builder's attention and he will correct the issue, I'm sure they will not leave them that way (hopefully).
Clarissa Wong
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you everyone for your comments. We will bring it up again and be more persistent. We were told we’re too picky
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
When your builder finds a big 'ole red tag on his stairs, he'll have no luck explaining to inspection that they are "too picky", believe me.
Clarissa Wong
Original Author
6 years ago
We closed in oct on this new construction by toll. We didn’t notice it initially
I guess the inspectors already came thru...
just_janni
6 years ago
put a small level on them and take a picture showing the gap at the front of the stair tread. Even with a ruler there showing how much slope. Provide this to your builder as part of your punch list / home warranty.

I am sorry you are going through this and worried about your kids hurting themselves.

If it's noticeable to you on "feel", and you feel uncomfortable walking on them - there is no way you are being 'too picky'. I freaking hate that - somehow the defect here is you and not the sloppy construction? Takes a lot of nerve....
gtcircus
6 years ago
To all new home purchasers, before you close on any house from the builder, you should pay to have a home inspection. Now you are stuck with the problem. I follow this procedure on remodels and it has saved me a lot of headaches over the years.
PRO
Cabinetix, Inc.
6 years ago
bellburgmaggie is right. I suggest that when purchasing a new home you have it inspected twice: First time before sheetrock, second time before closing. Most inspectors will make a fair arrangement for this.
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
6 years ago
Your tread should not slope more than 2% per R3.11.7.7 of the International Residential Code. On a standard tread that should be less than 1/4" Jannicone's method will let you know if your stairs are to code. I would also check the stairs for level across the width of the stair where you're noticing the awkwardness.

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