I'm working on refinishing our basement and the previous owner did not
leave a consistent (or continuous) space between the stairs and the
drywall for the skirt to fit. It appears I have only two options: make
the space or notch the skirt. The latter would appear (to me) to be a
more difficult task and mistakes would cost roughly $50 a crack (price
for a new skirt). The first option could be done two ways: remove each
step, trim off the length, & re-install; or somehow cut them in place.
Not real sure there is a way to cut them in place, but a toe-kick saw
looked somewhat promising. Has anyone encountered this problem before
and may have some advice, tips, etc?
Thanks in advance...
"Doug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm working on refinishing our basement and the previous owner did not
> leave a consistent (or continuous) space between the stairs and the
> drywall for the skirt to fit. It appears I have only two options: make
> the space or notch the skirt. The latter would appear (to me) to be a
> more difficult task and mistakes would cost roughly $50 a crack (price
> for a new skirt). The first option could be done two ways: remove each
> step, trim off the length, & re-install; or somehow cut them in place.
> Not real sure there is a way to cut them in place, but a toe-kick saw
> looked somewhat promising. Has anyone encountered this problem before
> and may have some advice, tips, etc?
> Thanks in advance...
I've done a number of these notch jobs - pretty easy if the finish is carpet
and almost required if the treads are glued. Make the plumb and level cuts
as if you werer going to slip it in the space. Tack it to the wall above
the stairs, parallel to the nosing line. Transfer the riser cut locations
with a level (use attached scraps to avoid the nosing overhang). Measure up
front and rear to mark the tread cuts (if carpet + good rough carpentry,
this can be quick). After cutting the first one, try it on the other side
before going through the entire drill a second time.