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Removing Overhead Joists and Building Staircase Landings

From "DIY to the Rescue"
episode DTTR-311F

The make room for the new triple-landing staircase, some joists will have to be removed. Here, host Karl Champley and homeowner Don Lighter work to remove them safely, before moving on to the construction of the landings.

Materials:

Miter saw
Circular saw
Hand saw
Table saw
Reciprocating saw with all purpose blade
Pry bar
Hammer
Framing square with 2 locking nuts
Measuring tape
Pencil
Construction adhesive with caulk gun
#8 and #16 framing nails
Pneumatic nail gun
Drill with masonry bits and countersink bit
3" deck screws
Drill/screwgun
Carpenter’s level
T-bevel
Eye protection
12 x 2 x 12 pine
10 x 2 x 6 spruce
2 x 2 x 4 spruce
4 x 8 sheet of 3/4" plywood

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Figure A

Figure B

Removal of Joists

IMPORTANT: Always check with a structural engineer or licensed contractor before removing any walls, joists or rafters.

To remove non-load bearing joists:

Use a reciprocating saw to cut through middle of joist (figure A).
Drive a pry bar between the rafter and the joist to loosen the seam (figure B).
Cut through the nails with the saw and remove half of joist.
Cut at the junction of any cross pieces and hammer them loose.
Remove other end of joist by cutting flush with the wall.

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

Building the Landings:

With the joists removed, the crew moves on to building the three landings needed for the new stairs.

Using a compound miter saw, cut the pieces for the landing out of pine 2 x 12s for the frame; spruce 2 x 6s and 2x4’s for the legs and feet (also called skids.)
Assemble boxes out of 2 x 12 pieces, using a framing square to make sure the corners are perfect 90-degree angles.
Use #16 framing nails to attach pieces.
Nail 2 x 4 legs onto frame (figure C)
Measure to the center of the frame and add a center brace out of 2 x 12 across the middle (figure D).
Add 2 x 6 feet (or skids) to bottom of frame (figure E).
Once landing is in place, use 3" deck screws to attach skids to floor.
Build second landing as simple 2 x 12 box.
Attach 2 x 4 ledger strips to side of first landing and wall studs.
Set second landing onto ledger strips (figure F) and screw into place.
Build third landing as a 2 x 12 box.
Use ledger on wall (figure G) and two 2 x 4 legs with skids (figure H) to support the third landing.