Tahoe Donner Entry Deck and Stair Repair

The project began with full demolition of the failing entry stairs, the front section of deck boards, and the surrounding stair railings. Temporary shoring posts were installed to support the porch roof above while the deck boards beneath the existing roof posts were removed and replaced. Debris was hauled off across two trips to the local transfer station.

A new concrete landing pad was formed and poured at the base of the stair location, running the full length of the front of the deck out to the existing asphalt driveway. Footings and the slab were tied together with rebar and dobie blocks, formed with framing lumber and stakes, then poured, vibrated, screeded, and floated. A high-speed mud mixer was used on site to keep the pour moving at roughly 45 bags per hour, which is standard for Tahoe Donner pours where ready-mix delivery is impractical for a job this size.

With the new pad cured, a pressure-treated landing board was anchored to the concrete with Titen anchors, and approximately twelve new stair stringers were cut and hung at 16 inches on center, spanning nearly the full width of the front deck. All stringers and existing joists in contact with new framing were wrapped with joist tape to protect against future moisture intrusion.

New redwood deck boards were installed across the front of the deck using hidden fasteners for a clean finished surface. Redwood treads were installed on the new stairs with exterior construction screws. No riser boards were used, keeping the open look consistent with the cabin's original style. The existing peeled-log posts and railings around the deck were left in place and worked around throughout the project.