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That time a stair tread blew out on me in a client's house

I was fitting a new oak handrail in a house out in Bethel, about 3 years ago. I put my full weight on this one tread to test it (dumb move) and the whole thing just cracked right down the middle. The homeowner walked in just as I was picking splinters out of my jeans. Has anyone else had a hidden defect like that catch them off guard?

2 comments

2 Comments

alexlewis3d ago

Nah, that's just bad luck. Wood does what it wants sometimes.

troyjackson3d ago

Yeah @alexlewis, it's not just bad luck. I've had treads delaminate on new lumber before. My rule now is I always tap test each tread with a hammer before I put any weight on it. Saves you a lot of splinters and awkward moments.