How To Identify and Address Dangerous Staircases

Staircases are a crucial part of many homes but can also be dangerous if not properly designed and installed. Several issues can make a staircase unsafe for children and adults, from low railings to wide gaps between treads. In this article, we explore common staircase safety problems and how to address them, which This Old House expert Tom Silva also explains in the video above.

Staircase Safety Codes

Building codes ensure occupants’ safety in residential and commercial buildings. These codes address potential hazards on staircases that could lead to serious accidents.

Railing Height Requirements

One of the most important safety features of a staircase is its railing. The height of the railing prevents falls and provides support when using the stairs.

According to building codes, stair railings must be between 34 and 38 inches high, measured from the nose of the stair tread to the top of the railing. This height range makes the railing easily graspable for most adults while providing adequate protection against falls.

In the video above, Silva demonstrates how to measure railing height correctly, emphasizing the importance of this safety feature.

Tread and Riser Specifications

Building codes specify requirements for the depth of treads and the height of risers for a comfortable and safe climb.

For staircases with open risers, the gap between treads must not exceed 4 inches. This requirement prevents small children from slipping through or getting stuck between the steps. If your staircase has gaps larger than 4 inches, you may need to add material to close the space or install riser boards to meet code requirements.

Pro Tip: Tom Silva stresses the importance of precise riser heights: “Risers higher than that leave you feeling like you’re climbing a ladder. And a tread more than 12 inches deep can force you to take a step and a half.” He aims for risers no more than 8 inches high and treads around 10 inches deep for optimal comfort and safety.

Baluster and Cable Railing Spacing

Balusters and cable railings are barriers that prevent falling off the side of the staircase. The spacing between balusters or cables must not exceed 4 inches, which is especially important for the safety of small children. This 4-inch rule applies to both vertical and horizontal spaces.

For cable railings, the cables must be installed with sufficient tension to prevent them from being pushed apart beyond the 4-inch limit when applying pressure.

Pro Tip: Silva recommends vertical balusters over other infill options for families with young children: “Go with vertical balusters because they’re more difficult for kids to climb than lattice or horizontal steel cables. But they’re only safer if they’re properly spaced.”

Identifying Safety Issues in Your Staircase

You’ll need to conduct a thorough inspection to determine if your staircase meets safety standards. Here are some steps to help you identify potential safety issues:

1. Measure the railing height from the nose of the stair tread to the top of the railing.
2. Check the spacing between treads on open-riser staircases.
3. Measure the gaps between balusters or cable railings.
4. Inspect the overall condition of the staircase, including loose treads or wobbly railings.
5. Check that the handrails are easily graspable and continuous along the entire length of the staircase.

Pro Tip: Silva advises checking that step heights are consistent across the entire staircase. The International Residential Code says that step height shouldn’t vary by more than 3/8 inch over an entire stair run. If your steps are uneven, have a building inspector come out and take a look—and have the inspector check the handrail while they’re at it, since codes call for at least one handrail wherever there are more than two risers.

Addressing Staircase Safety Concerns

Once you’ve identified safety issues in your staircase, take action to correct them. Here are some solutions for common staircase safety problems:

Raising Low Railings

If your railing is too low, you may need to replace it entirely or add height to the existing railing. This can often be done by installing a new top rail or adding a rail above the existing one.

Closing Gaps Between Treads

For open-riser staircases with gaps exceeding 4 inches, you have two main options:

1. Install riser boards to close the gaps completely.
2. Add a filler strip to the underside of each tread to reduce the gap to 4 inches or less.

Correcting Baluster Spacing

If the gaps between balusters are too wide, you can fix this by doing the following:

1. Add additional balusters to reduce the spacing.
2. Replace existing balusters with a style that offers closer spacing.
3. Install a mesh or plexiglass barrier behind the existing balusters.

The Importance of Professional Staircase Assessment

While homeowners can identify many safety issues, having a licensed contractor or home inspector assess your staircase has several benefits, such as the following:

• Identifying code violations you might have missed
• Making sure modifications meet local building codes
• Offering expert advice on the best solutions for your specific situation
• Providing a comprehensive safety evaluation

Pro Tip: In one This Old House project, homeowner Lauren Payne had long worried about her two small children bounding down a precarious set of winder stairs. When a contractor finally assessed the staircase, the results were eye-opening. “Once our contractor told us just how out of code the old staircase was, deciding to replace it became that much easier,” she says. Though the new code-compliant unit required sacrificing some living room space, the peace of mind it delivered made it well worth the trade-off.

Staircase Safety for Different Age Groups

Staircase safety concerns vary depending on the age of the home’s occupants. Understanding these differences helps you prioritize safety measures.

Safety for Young Children

The focus for homes with young children should be preventing falls and eliminating spaces where a child could become trapped. Key considerations include the following:

• Choosing nonslip materials for stair treads
• Installing gates at the top and bottom of stairs
• Making sure all gaps are less than 4 inches wide

Safety for Elderly Residents

Older adults may require additional safety features to navigate stairs safely. Consider these modifications:

• Adding nonslip strips to stair treads
• Checking for adequate lighting along the entire staircase
• Installing handrails on both sides of the staircase

Pro Tip: According to This Old House Magazine, stairs 42 inches wide allow for a stair lift or for one person to help another. Aim for treads at least 11 inches deep and risers 4 to 7 inches high. A second handrail, 34 to 38 inches above stair treads and at least 1½ inches from the wall, allows for holding two rails at once—the best way to travel. A low-pile runner can improve traction, and the top and bottom of the stairs should be well lit, with paddle-style light switches 36 to 48 inches above the floor.

Negotiating Staircase Safety in Real Estate Transactions

If you’re buying a home and encounter a house with a noncompliant staircase, you have a few options:

• Include the cost of repairs in your offer and plan to fix the issues after purchase.
• Negotiate a lower purchase price to account for the cost of necessary repairs.
• Request that the seller bring the staircase up to code before closing.

While you may be willing to live with a noncompliant staircase, it could become an issue if you eventually sell the home. Additionally, think about the safety of all potential visitors to your home, not just the current residents.