Carpentry question... Uneven stairs, how to fix?
 

Ok, One staircase in my house is tilting down on the left side, kinda like the whole thing is leaning one way. It also creaks quite a bit, more so on the left side.

Now keep in mind this is nothing recent. The stairs have been like this for many, many years. Its just that it now really bothers me and I want to address the issue. The House was built pre-1900 and I would probably say they are the original flight of stairs(we have a tax bill from 1911 that we found in a wall being used as insulation)

There is direct access underneath the un-level stairs, as there is a flight of stairs to a basement room directly under it. I was thinking the easiest solution would to be somehow attach a large 2x6 or 2x8 under the left side of the stairs and use a polejack of sorts to lift the stair case level, and the attach a 2x6 in a way under the side and re-secure that to aid in holding the load of the left side. Being that the stairs lead to a second floor apartment, I want then to be safe, level, and as quiet as possible.

My one friend does renovations and will soon come look at it and see what he suggests but I just want to see if maybe anyone else has and tips of suggestions.

I'll try to post pictures this weekend.

Get some pictures my buddy builds stair cases so I can get his and some installers opinion for you.


Edit my friend asked if there was walls on both sides? It sounds like a no just want to double check.

yea, walls on both side

Pictures would be helpful.

Is the floor at the base of the stairs level?

Does the wall on the inside of the stair case act as a load bearing wall? If so is there a support in the basement that can be shimmed?

Also, if the stairs are late 19th century or early 20th century construction, how are they put together? I've come across a few late 19th century staircases with walls on both sides that have shims between the tread and the stringer. If your stairs are made this way you might be able to just move some shims around.

floors are level at the base and at the top. The wall on the right is a load bearing/former exterior wall. wall on left is not likely load bearing, but is original to the house. When I looked at the underside of the stairs(all exposed), the stringer on the one side seemed to have separated slightly from the wall and dropped causing a visible gap.

I'll post pics when I'm home in a few days, I'm 300 miles away from there.

And keep in mind, its been this way for 20+years, and no one is currently using the stairs so I don't think they will collapse in the next week.

my dad builds elevators as part of our electrical company.... just something to keep in mind

Firepole would be badass....