…… Need stair/stoop recommendations.

[Loretta Van Riet]

Hello. I hope to tap the collective TB2K braintrust.

I had a total hip replacement last January. All is well with that.

I had to move recently and didn't realize the almost 9" drop to the first step on both my front porch and back porch makes me feel uneasy. (and feels awkward)

Is there some retro-fit I can do myself to remedy this? (concrete steps/ landing)

Thanks in advance!

Loretta V.

 

[bw]

You can cut that in half by getting a 2x6 or 2x8 at a lumber store and cutting it into about 12" or 16" lengths. 2x12 is better, just depends on what your piggy bank can stand. You can get 6 16" pieces out of a standard length 8' plank.

Nail these little steps on the side of the main step, so most people will just avoid them. Nail one piece to your step, then nail the next piece on top of that one, and then one more on top of that. Do one of those 3-piece stacks on each of your steps. That gives 4 1/5" per step, minimal construction work, and it cuts your step-down in half. Step onto the mini-step, then unto its main step, then down to the next mini and so on.

If you can't do the nailing get someone to do it for you. Even better is using construction screws. If your steps are concrete these can be glued with waterproof glue using a caulking gun. You absolutely want the mini-steps to be secure and not wobble under you when you step on them. You also want them big enough that you won't miss!

 

[TerryK]

Ingenious idea BW.
You can get the wood cut at your local box store if you don't have a circular saw.
This idea is simplicity itself and requires absolutely minimum work to accomplish, while still leaving the rest of the stairs alone.
Like BW says, make sure the wood is securely fastened. Screws for wood, adhesive for concrete steps.
Dry fit them all in place and make sure they work for you before you attach them permanently.

 

[Txkstew]

Standard residential stair steps should be 6 1/2 inches, max. Less would be better for someone with mobility issues. 9 inches is way to big of a step. The pre cut stair stringer board from a Home Depot type store, is a 6 1/2 inch step up.

 

[Txkstew]

Here's the steps I built on the back of my parent's house 15 years ago. Not quit finished in this pic. Still solid as a brick.

 

[summerthyme]

Ingenious idea BW.
You can get the wood cut at your local box store if you don't have a circular saw.
This idea is simplicity itself and requires absolutely minimum work to accomplish, while still leaving the rest of the stairs alone.
Like BW says, make sure the wood is securely fastened. Screws for wood, adhesive for concrete steps.
Dry fit them all in place and make sure they work for you before you attach them permanently.

It is a *really* good, simple idea, especially if someone doesn't have a shop full of tools. I'd make one more suggestion... paint them with some sort of "gritty" paint (non-slip... I'm sure it's sold somewhere; if not, simply mixing a handful of sand into some good quality outdoor paint before applying would work). And consider painting the edges a brighter color than the main steps, so someone won't miss them in the dark and step halfway on them... I probably would even consider using "glow in the dark" paint on the edges.

Summerthyme