External Staircase Refurb

[pudding]

Hello,

 

I've got this external spiral staircase on my coach house, which is in dire need of some TLC after years of nothing.

 

 

 

 

What would be the best plan of action to improve and protect this without dismantling the whole thing? (The ply treads are integral to the metal structure and cant simply be unbolted and removed, they seem to have been installed one by one as each step was added).

 

My current thinking is to clean and scrub the whole lot, sand the treads, paint them with some new, possible grippy anti-slip external paint, then add some metal nosing to protect the front of the ply treads, some of which are starting to fall apart. Stuff like this is what I've currently found - https://www.taindustrialpaints.co.uk/collections/boat-deck-paints/products/non-slip-marine-deck-paint and - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222840275140 but i'm sure there's better/cheaper alternatives?

 

Cheers.

 

[markc]

If the treads are breaking up and you want to use the stair then you really need to sort them properly, not just make them look pretty. If something looks rotten then you are careful using it, if it looks good and someone falls the resulting lawsuits could be very costly.

when the pics are available we will be able to get a better feel

[Mr Punter]

I have used GRP tread covers before.  They look good and are non slip but are expensive.

[Redbeard]

Chequer-plate alu? But as others have said, can't overlay the ply if it is at all soft. It doesn't look very happy.

[pudding]

I don't think the wood is rotten, just a couple of treads at the front have worn down so the paint is gone and wood starting to break up. I could use this kind of product maybe to firm up any front edges before putting nose covers on?

 

 https://www.screwfix.com/p/ronseal-wet-rot-wood-hardener-clear-500ml/63540?tc=LT7&ds_rl=1243321&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=CjwKCAjw_YShBhAiEiwAMomsEEtg0rcgQjpr0ObpYxAfnaFUlV_drdskQi1YRZct4DjTc4eov_Ka3hoCCZsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[markc]

I can see the pics now, that’s actually a cool stair, shame they went through the boards. That said it’s a well made stair with a support on the walking line under the ply. This means the ply is isn’t subject to bending loads :).

the timber ‘hardener’ will be fine, good scrape and wire brush to remove any loose stuff. The nosings may allow puddles to form on the treads, if so a few drain holes will be needed behind each nosing. Bed the nosings onto a thick bed of paint or thin bed of OB1 or CT1 to prevent water collecting between them and the ply causing accelerated rot

[pudding]

Another update. Steps refurb finished. Wet rot wood hardener added with extra holes drilled to really get it into the wood. Filler to pack out the damaged areas then sanded, 2 coats of this elastomeric paint - https://www.promain.co.uk/heavy-duty-elastomeric-floor-coating.html , finally fibreglass tread nosings stuck on with sticks like sh!t. Looking waaaay better, plus not a death trap anymore! 😁