Slippery/Steep Deck Stairs

[WaterWitchin]

Mountaineer... How about putting a long ramp in that runs parallel to the deck? You could take a baluster or two from the deck railing, a little "landing" for start of ramp, then just run it down side of deck parallel to the deck itself.

Or I like DC's idea of wide steps with a 4" rise. You could even double each step so it's wide enough to hold the whole dog before they had to step down again. You could even do that by having a second "landing" four inches down, then run the series parallel to the deck.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

In a perfect world, I would have a contractor come and install a long ramp along the back side of the deck, which is 20 feet long. That way, the angle would be spread out and not be too steep. This would be the most difficult solution, I believe, largely because of the difficulty in getting an appointment with contractors around here. It is not a do-it-yourself project. I don't have the skill, and my husband has health issues and can no longer take on big projects like that. I'm also worried about what it would be like in winter, trying to keep snow and ice off of a 20-foot long ramp. I shovel our deck all the time, but the idea of shoveling a long sloped surface like that scares me.

WW, the above quote is from my first post, where I mentioned the perfect solution would be a long ramp down the long side of the deck. But I would want it done right, with the proper width, safety railing, etc. This is more of a job than I think we can DIY. I would need to hire a contractor to do that. I may start the process of calling around to see if I can get an estimate. I'm not hopeful, though. Last summer, when I wanted some drywall and paint work done in my living room, I made probably 20 calls and either didn't get the courtesy of having my call returned or was flat-out turned down or told they had a months-long waiting list.

In lieu of posting an actual picture of my deck (which I'm working on), this is not my deck but my stairs look almost exactly like the first set of stairs pictured on this site:

Outdoor deck stairs to finish your project - quinju.com

And what I would like and what I think would work easier for the dogs would be something more like this, the third picture down, with the black railing:

how to design safe, functional, beautiful stairs | mecc interiors inc.

I hope that helps everyone to better understand what I have now and the different design that I think might work better (assuming I stick with stairs instead of some kind of ramp).

[WaterWitchin]

Gotcha! And I did read that... then started brainstorming and forgot it. Your deck is about what I figured stepwise.

I like the idea of the lower rise, but I'd go even lower than 7" and wider than that. I would sure still try getting someone to do it. And know what you're talking about. I've STILL not come up with someone to give me a quote for my greenhouse plan. So frustrating... especially when I KNOW that ten years ago I could have just done it myself. Makes my blood boil (the age limits thing).

Maybe with all the Covid stuff, you could find a contractor who's laid off and wanting side jobs? Of course, that was also my hope that hasn't been exactly successful. I'm about ready to put the pressure on my son in law, who is fully capable, and have a short term temper tantrum.

[Mountaineer370]

Yes, I would want the rise to be less than 7 inches, too. I had just looked at the picture there and didn't notice that it said those are 7 inches. It looks like less than that. But around 5 is maybe what I would want.

I'm frustrated, too, trying to get anything done. There are so many things we would have just done ourselves in the past, but we are getting older and it's not so easy anymore. We also used to have family in construction, but they are either retired with their own health issues, or way too busy with their full-time jobs to ask them to do a side job for us. And so it goes........

[estación seca]

If any technical or community colleges near you offer woodworking and construction classes, people there might be interested in your project.

[WaterWitchin]

Excellent idea ES! Not here, but SE Michigan much more likely.

[DirtyCoconuts]

What tools do you have?

With either a jigsaw or better a circular saw you can cut stair runners.

Buy a 2x10 foot board and do the diagonal orientation to cut a runner with the rise and run you want.

You can buy wide boards for the treads or use 2x4 to create a wider area

The steps can extend out further by lengthening the landing with either pavers, gravel or cement.

How tall is the total drop from the porch to the ground?

[Mountaineer370]

DC, we have plenty of tools but not necessarily the skill or physical ability to tackle a large, heavy project anymore. We did discuss this yesterday, and we feel we could replace the steps ourselves with something wider, with a more gentle angle. That could be a DIY project for us, but definitely not a full-length ramp. That would have to be hired out.

I'm going to be looking into a few different options. I am concerned, though, as to whether the new style of steps I had envisioned would really solve the problem. So there's no sense going through that unless I'm sure it would help. I think the first thing I need to do is get the one dog into the vet soon for a thorough exam and x-rays to try to determine why he is falling. The vet knows about his issues, but they have worsened over the last couple weeks or so and he needs to be seen again. I have put it off due to the difficulty of vet visits nowadays. I'm not even sure I would be allowed to go in the building with him, or if I was, whether I would feel safe doing so. But I will do whatever is necessary to take proper care of my dogs. So I will address that before making any final deck-remodeling decisions.

I thank all of you who responded here for your great ideas and thoughtful encouragement. If we manage to build something or get something built, I promise I will try to post a picture!

[DirtyCoconuts]

We are here to help!

If it makes it easier you can drive around town and look for govt buildings (they tend to have wider steps to make them look more dramatic architecturally) you could see if you find any that are really shallow in slope and test your pooches.

It’s a lot of work but better than building them and have it not work.

[Ray]

Cheri - what is the floor-to-top height? Ramps are really not all that difficult to build.