You could use waterproof “marine” plywood for the risers. Looks like the failure is at the bottom of the risers on the lower steps. Prime all sides (incl underside) with waterproof primer before painting exposed surfaces (incl bottom edge) with exterior or heavy duty paint.

How do you keep stringers from rotting?


Quote from Youtube video: When they're screwed in they hold your stringer up off the ground half an inch. So that water doesn't soak into the bottom of your stringer.

How do you waterproof stairs?





How to Waterproof Stairs

  1. Sweep dust and dirt off the concrete, using a broom. …
  2. Apply painter’s tape along the edges of stairs, preventing sealer from seeping onto surrounding areas. …
  3. Mix the concrete sealer, using an electric mixer. …
  4. Seal the edges of the concrete, using a paint brush.


How do you protect stairs after installation?

Now, let’s take a look at some good indirect ways to help prevent any untimely damage to the stairs of your house.

  1. Protect furniture. Wrap in thick protective blankets any furniture pieces that you intend to carry down or up the stairs.
  2. Use strong boxes. …
  3. Use a rubber-wheel dolly. …
  4. Place a doormat. …
  5. Use shoe covers.


What do you put on first riser or tread?





Do work at least one riser ahead before installing treads. Installing two risers is one way to ensure proper strength and performance. The important thing is to remember to install riser, tread, riser, tread or install the risers first.

How do you protect stair stringers?

You can protect your new stairs by simply applying a generous coat of DAP 230 to all of the notched surfaces, before you install the treads. This will seal the surface of the open wood grain, protecting the stringer from water, cracks and rot.

How do you protect wooden stairs outside?

When completely dry, apply a sealant on the deck and stairs to protect them from external elements. However, if there is a growth of algae or mildew on the outdoor stairs, don’t use a pressure washer as it can erode the wood. To remove the algae, scrape it off with a putty knife.

What is the best waterproof sealer for wood?

According to them, these are the nine most effective wood sealers:

  • Thompson’s Water Seal. …
  • Rainguard Premium Wood Sealer. …
  • DEFY Crystal Clear Sealer. …
  • Anchorseal 2. …
  • Roxil Wood Protection Cream. …
  • Eco-Advance Exterior Wood Waterproofer. …
  • Ready Seal Stain and Sealer for Wood. …
  • Pure Tung Oil Natural Wood Sealer.



How do you waterproof under stairs?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: In about 10 minutes you can buy a sheet of this sheet metal and just work five screws to the back of the stairs on each side and you've got a nice little place to start waterproof.

How do I waterproof my deck stairs?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It just rolls off the tongue maybe easier that way it's a moisture membrane that will keep water off of the non-treated wood a good thing about this product is it's it's a rubberized.

How do I seal my porch steps?

  1. Step 1: Check the Weather. …
  2. Step 2: Remove Furniture. …
  3. Step 3: Sand the Deck. …
  4. Step 4: Sweep the Debris. …
  5. Step 5: Cover Your Plants and Siding. …
  6. Step 6: Stir the Sealer or Stain. …
  7. Step 7: Apply the Sealer or Stain. …
  8. Step 8: Repeat Step 7 for the Entire Deck.
  9. How do you seal wood steps?



    Brush on a coat of floor-grade polyurethane varnish.

    1. Stairs are high-traffic areas, so sealing them is essential.
    2. Remember to use a compatible varnish—oil-based with an oil-based stain, or water-based with a water-based stain.
    3. Allow the varnish to dry for the recommended time, such as 4 hours.


    How do you seal steps?

    SEALING THE STAIRCASE

    1. Lay out all the materials you need for this job. …
    2. Wipe the stairs clean. …
    3. Apply plenty of sealant evenly along the joint. …
    4. Finally, smooth the sealing joint gently by running a wet finger or putty knife over it. …
    5. After 30 minutes you can paint the joint. …
    6. Admire the result!


    Should you caulk stair risers?



    3. The final finishing step to this process is to go back and caulk all around the stairs. Caulking truly gives a project like this a finished, professional look to it and is a necessary step if you want to be sure your stairs look nice.

    How do you fill gap between riser and tread?

    Run a heavy bead of the silicone along the gap to fill it, and then use a wet fingertip to smooth it out if necessary. It’s the fastest way to fill minor gaps, and if you’re not happy with the way it looks, you can always install molding over it.

    How do you fill stair risers?

    Quote from the video:
    Quote from Youtube video: You can see I did one up here pocket hole screws on the top. And then I'll put screws straight through the back into the back of the treads. Along the back here.

    How do you cover open riser stairs?

    Quote from the video:
    Quote from Youtube video: I decided to do the majority of the caulking. But I'm using painters made for this by GSL. I think that's what it's called this is brilliant stuff and it's flexible.

    Why are there holes in stair risers?



    It appears to be found on Victorian era staircases. One idea is ventilation, although that seems a bit far fetched; another guess would be that it is something added to aid construction, perhaps to enable the riser to be pulled vertical with a finger before fixing (pure speculation).