Repairing Steps

I was recently telling my Dad how I had spent two days repairing the back garage door step. I was quite proud of myself. He sort of yawned. "Just one step?" Well, yes, but it was a very special step.

Normal back door steps are simple planks; replace a couple and you're done in, oh, half an hour or so.

But this was not any ordinary step. Our garden architect (these people, I learned way too late, exist) built us a step no carpenter ever would. It was topped with 3x1 cedar that was angled to match the patio brickwork. And all the edges were artfully routed. I had dreaded this project from the start.

Apparently, he had felt 4" nails would be a good choice for the 1" thick planks. I had to use a hammer ON the pry bar just to remove them. One lousy step. I had my hammer, the pry bar, a saw, a drill, the router, and special screws out before I was done.

That sucker better last. You don't mess with a curmudgeon.