The Signs Team in Action: Stair Repair

The "Springy" place in the tile on the first landing finally breaks 800 X 600 51 KB	It looks like whatever is supporting it on the side is collapsing 800 X 600 50 KB	It's clear that it is going to cave in the next time someone steps on it 800 X 600 70 KB	The investigation begins 800 X 600 65 KB
Dry rot is revealed 800 X 600 64 KB	It's worse than we imagined 800 X 600 71 KB	There is nothing at all giving support to the floor on the side of the wall 800 X 600 68 KB	There is quite a little cavern underneath the cement slab that was, for all intents and purposes, suspended in air. Nowhere to attach a support, the bottom of the pit is nothing but sand. What to do? 800 X 600 63 KB
Laura remembers that there is a whole pile of old cement slabs formerly used as driveway edging. We begin to bring it and pile it outside the door. 800 X 600 64 KB	The process of putting the slabs into the cavity is long and tedious. 800 X 600 62 KB	The slabs have to be fitted in like puzzle pieces. 800 X 600 71 KB	The process continues into the night. 800 X 600 91 KB
Finally, near the top, it is time to put in fresh cement. 800 X 600 74 KB	Wedges are put in place to hold the floor level. 800 X 600 84 KB	The cement is forced into the space under the floor while the wedges hold it up. 600 X 800 85 KB	After the less soupy cement has been rammed into place, a wet slab is poured. 800 X 600 74 KB
Next step is to replace the tiles. 800 X 600 67 KB	Figuring out how to get everything back is tedious. 800 X 600 85 KB	Each tile has to be separately evaluated, cleaned and fitted. 800 X 600 61 KB	The process of replacing the tiles goes on into the late night. 600 X 800 67 KB
The end is in sight.. 800 X 600 65 KB	Now, clean up time. 800 X 600 79 KB	Not too bad considering the emergency nature of the repair. 800 X 600 63 KB	No one can use the stairs for several days while everything dries. 600 X 800 57 KB