How to pave indoor concrete stairs?

[robertagrann13]

Hi everyone, hoping you can help with an indoor staircase flooring project we're doing atm!

We recently removed the really old carpet on our staircase leading downstairs, underneath is concrete (cement?). We now need to pave the stairs, the bottom landing is quite moist so possibly a blend of wood on the actual stairs and tiles on the landing? I've read through a couple other similar posts, but am wondering if there are any step by step in depth guides I could use, since I have no idea how to even start choosing products and how to use them. 

Thanks so much!

[JacobZ]

Hi @robertagrann13,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

When you say the bottom landing feels quite moist, is it cold underfoot, or is it actually wet? 

If you tape a sheet of plastic to the concrete landing and leave it for a day, does it develop moisture beneath?

If it does, you might have an issue with rising damp that would need to be addressed before any floor coverings went on. If this is the case, I'd suggest contacting someone who specialises in rectifying issues of rising damp in your area.

Once this issue has been addressed, you can move on to the flooring.

I'm not aware of any step-by-step guides for dressing the stairs with timber, however, there are certainly guides for tiling such as How To Lay Floor Tiles. You might also benefit from waterproofing the bottom landing, which you can use How To Waterproof Your Bathroom Floor as a guide.

I can't say I'm particularly sure the best way to dress the stairs with timber, but I imagine using timber cleats made of something like 42 x 19mm 1.8m DAR Pine Premium running horizontally across the concrete treads and risers and then attaching your timber to these cleats would be a good way to do it. 

It's worth noting that this would change the rise and run of the stairs. Every step should be consistent until the top landing, which might not be a problem for you, but you would have one step that is shorter than the rest.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Jewelleryrescue and @Dave-1 to see if they have any ideas.

Jacob
 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi  @robertagrann13 

What you are looking at doing is not really a easy job for a new DIYer   and not even super easy for experianced DYIer I am not saying you cant complete this just be very very prepared normally you will need some hands on experiance and practical skill levels on smaller jobs as a  evolution of skills.  Asking  us is a first step so we  will try help guide your ideas.

You say the concrete is wet I think you should put clear plastic taped onto the cement floor and stairs as @JacobZ  suggested to see if any moister condensation forms on it.

Looking at the  photos the concrete is bone dry  But no photo of lower landing where you said it is wet.

If  it is rising damp well that is a major project right there that needs solving first,   I could offer a cementuous paint solution that will stop water in its tracks but this wont stop moister in the walls if it is present.

Ideas you can clad the stairs in timber like @JacobZ  described  but timber can be slippery if some  one used the stairs in socks etc  but there are grip  solutions,   I find prefer tiling and would use timber look alike tiles that will never need maintinance like timber and it has a wood grain texture for grip and there are more help  guides  for you,

So You first steps  is to think about what you want to have there so a  plan can be made.   Seek out you tubes how toos as well as bunnings  guides and  consider if these  skills are in your wheel house.

Great you have taken your first steps.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @robertagrann13 

Once you have sorted out that potential issue with moisture Im wondering if a marine carpet would be acceptable to install?

Main reason I am thinking of this is due to your existing doors and the height they are sitting at when opening, The fall and depth of the stairs plus doors have all been fine for carpet so whatever you decide to use it would be easiset to keep the material at that same height.

I dont like tiles on stairs or the transition space I tend to slip on them and wooshka ouch. 

Timber treads would be nice. (Floating floorboards glued may be an option but id suggest to investigate that before deciding)

Carpet, hard wearing would be nice and also help stop echoing in the stairwell.

Have you wandered into a carpet place and had a chat with them over ideas? 

I dont see it as a hard job, just one that has a few sizing limitations. Definently doable.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @robertagrann13 

I can't add anything further to the great advice from both @JacobZ and @Jewelleryrescue re addressing the potential rising damp. As far as what to clad the stairs with, my choices would be anything leaning towards "non-slip". As @Jewelleryrescue mentioned timber can be very slippery, but even more so tiles both of which would be a very advanced DIY project. So, as with @Dave-1 I would be leaning to having installed a durable low pile carpet or you could also consider a textured non-slip paint. There are ones that have rubber compound in them that you could apply yourself, though it would leave a more industrial finish.

Nailbag