Rant: My uncle told me to always double-check the tack strip on concrete stairs

He said a loose strip on a basement stair in a house in Omaha would ruin a whole job, and I didn't listen. Sure enough, last month a stair edge came up after a week because I didn't use enough concrete nails. Had to go back and redo the whole flight for free. Anyone have a better method for securing strips on old concrete steps?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliver_anderson6d ago

Ugh, been there. A little glue with the nails is the only thing that holds on that old concrete.

lane.angela6d ago

Your uncle was right, but at least it was just a basement. My cousin skipped checking the subfloor in a sunroom addition and the whole thing squeaked like a haunted house. The homeowner made him pull up the brand new hardwood to fix it. Sometimes the old guys know what they're talking about, even if we hate to admit it. For your concrete, maybe try a construction adhesive along with the nails next time.