Replacing split stair floorboard

MrBroccoli

Hi

Myself (and MrsBroccoli ) are getting a new carpet fitted tomorrow and whilst we were taking up the old carpet today we found that one of the corner steps has a split all the way across it.

We decided that we would ask a joiner to come and replace it However I've just spoken to my dad who said it might cause more problems trying to replace it than leaving it alone. This is a picture of the split: imgur.com/nncfU

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of replacing floorboards in a staircase. Or is there a way to toughen up the step - my dad suggested using expanding glue and someone else said to put a piece of thin hardboard on the step.

Thanks

Hintza

Looks like a horrible job and I don't know anything about this but my gut feel woul be if there is no movement then just leave it.

One thing they now lay carpet on stairs in individual pieces ie one piece for 1 riser and 1 tread. So if it poses a problem in the future it shouldn't be too trick to just lift the carpet at that point.

accountingbod

Hi MrBroccoli

Did you come round to my house and take this picture?!!
I have exactly the same split on what looks like the same kind of stairs on the same step!
Do you have an understairs cupboard? If so, i think this step is accesible from boxing under there.
I am not a DIY expert and am not offering advice but thought that if you could get under the step then what i was planning to do was try to support the split from underneath with a brace or something and then use filler on top to hide the split.
If anyone can offer any insight in to this suggestion then perhaps it could help both of us?

MrBroccoli

Thanks. We got it sorted before the carpet people arrived! Used glue in the crack and then added a thin piece of hardboard cut to size.