House, Islington: repair
The internal staircase construction was typical of the period, with decorative "tread ends", but with the treads and risers supported by timber carriages (beams) under them (the treads and risers of later staircases are housed in the strings fixed to the side walls). As a result there had been considerable settlement over the years and the treads could be seen to move by several millimetres when walked on.
We strengthened the existing carriages by fixing plywood, cut to follow the undersides of the treads and risers, either side of them, with the desired result. At the same time damage to the handrail was repaired and junctions restored.
