[KSusman]

Hey, I'm new around here, so quick introduction... I'm from St. Louis, I'm a new father, and I'm a full time teacher. I would say that I'm pretty handy, at least relative to a lot of people I know. As it's summer, I was hoping to use some time to work on some projects around the house. As a new dad, that time is in somewhat short supply!

Enough introduction already.

We bought a house a year ago, and I've been looking to replace a short set of steps since the moment we moved in. They're not in terrible shape, but my wife doesn't feel safe on them, so it's replacement time.

The steps, stoop and railing are all wood, and it's a short flight. I have no concerns about the woodworking portion of the project. Where I'm stuck is where the legs meet the ground. There are two legs anchored into concrete footings. If I want to replace the entire flight of steps, including the legs, how do I deal with that? What do I do? I have or have access to pretty much whatever tool I might need. I just don't know how to do it. Help?

I'm attaching links to pictures, in case that helps.

http://goo.gl/RsQf4
http://goo.gl/1dbzP

Help?

 

[GeorgeC]

For the leg/concrete in the first picture I would just replace it all. Remove the concrete and install new leg.

The second leg is a little more problem as it is part of a larger concrete pour. I would probably just put a concrete blade in a circular saw and cut out about 12" around the corner. Then put in new leg and pour new concrete.

George

 

[KSusman]

That seems to make sense. I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do yet, but that definitely gives me some help.

 

[woodnthings]

how about an overall picture?

Typical steps have stringers on the sides, threads that are horizontal and rabbetted into the strigers and risers on the back of each tread to support them. Your " legs" seem like they are the posts for the hand rails rather than part of the steps...right? An overall shot will help make more sense of the project.

I made new steps using only landscape timbers and set the posts for the rails into the earth along side. Like this: http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f2/new-front-steps-53285/

There are different ways to make them and to support them. :yes: