Midwest Iron has built a reputation as an industry-leading commercial stairs fabricator, but did you know that we also offer replacement services?
Staircase upkeep, and eventually stair replacement, is essential to maintain the safety of your building. In this blog, we’ll share vital information that will tell you how to inspect your stairs for damage. These insights apply to the products we specialize in: steel stairs and aluminum stairs. When the time comes to replace your commercial stairs, Midwest Iron is ready to step in.
1. Visual Damage
The easiest step you can take is to regularly visually inspect your stairs. Rust, corrosion, warped treads and cracked welds all point to damage that threatens the structural integrity of your staircase.
How To Spot Corrosion on Aluminum Stairs
If you notice that the powder coat or paint appears to be bubbling up from the surface of your aluminum stairs, it is likely an early sign of corrosion. Keep a close eye out for this, because this will likely show up before other signs of damage.
Also keep an eye out for deep pitting (small, deep holes) and any chips or cracks on aluminum stairs, especially around high-stress points – these often indicate or lead to corrosion.
Since aluminum is not a ferrous metal, rust is not a problem. However, if your aluminum stairs have any steel fasteners, make sure to check those regularly to ensure rust does not accumulate there. If aluminum touches steel, the aluminum will corrode before the steel due to galvanic corrosion. This means that if you have rusty bolts in an aluminum structure, there is a strong chance the aluminum has already corroded. If you see powder coating bubbling up around the steel bolts, you should be concerned about galvanic corrosion due to the dissimilar metals.
How To Spot Corrosion on Steel Stairs
Rust is an issue to be aware of with steel stairs. When steel is exposed to moisture, it undergoes the oxidation process, which produces rust and weakens the steel’s structural integrity. The brittle texture of rust also makes the steel more prone to breaking. The appearance of rust may be indicative of extensive structural damage that requires a full stair replacement.
In addition to looking for rust, we strongly suggest examining your steel stairs for pitting, chips and cracks. Just like with aluminum, the first sign of damage often appears as bubbling paint or coating and flaking finishes.
Lastly, pay special attention to horizontal surfaces where water tends to collect. The bottom of a steel staircase resting on concrete is especially vulnerable and often rusts out before other areas.
2. Movement or Wobbling
Your staircase should always be solid and unshakable. If you notice any movement like shifting, dipping or wobbling as you walk up and down your stairs, that means the connections have come loose or the support structure is deteriorating. Any unexpected movement may be a sign of approaching failure, so don’t hesitate to contact a professional to assess the level of damage.
3. Failing Safety Features
Check your staircases often to make sure that safety features like railings, non-slip treads and toe plates are all firmly intact. For example, if your railings frequently come loose and require repairs, it could mean there is a structural issue with the mounting points, at which point staircase replacement is the only option.
4. Code Compliance Conflicts
It’s no secret to anyone who works in building construction and maintenance that building codes change over time. Wisconsin has updated its building code as recently as September 2025 to bring the state up to code with the 2021 International Building Code standards.
After you install your commercial stairs, building proprietors must stay on top of code updates to ensure your stairs remain in compliance throughout the duration of their existence. It is very likely that building codes will change and render your commercial staircase incompliant due to riser height, tread depth, weight capacity or any number of other considerations. When that time comes, Midwest Iron is here to help.
5. Frequent Repairs
Keep track of how often you need to call in repairs for your commercial stairs — and how much they cost. Frequent repairs not only rack up expenses, they also signify deep rooted structural issues that simple patch repairs won’t be able to fix forever. If you’re spending more than 30% of the replacement costs on repairs within a year, it’s time to replace your commercial stairs.
Bonus: Aesthetic Deterioration
We’re adding this one in as an extra, since it isn’t necessary to maintain safety. That being said, we urge you to look after the appearance of your staircase to maintain your reputation. Any noticeable aesthetic issues – like staining, discoloration or poorly maintained finishes – threaten your professional character. Commercial stair replacement can drastically improve your overall image.
Replace Your Commercial Stairs with Midwest Iron
If any of the items on this list apply to stairs in your commercial building, the time for stair replacement is now. Midwest Iron is a proven leader in the commercial stair manufacturing space with our proprietary pre-fabricated steel and aluminum staircases. The Midwest Iron team of expert engineers and welders is ready to take your project from design all the way through to installation. Request a quote to start your staircase replacement project.
