volcano
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Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
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stairs..another stupid question
we are not builders...but non-the-less...are doing all the finishes on our cabin...need to build a small set of stairs...3 steps...to a back door.
Cannot find any instructions online to build steps with block. Is it o.k....if the blocks are filled with concrete? assumed to set bottom blocks in
cement pad, and do some anchoring with rebar. Np power nor cement mixer...we do all by wheel barrow batches, so poured steps by us not ideal.
Thought we would cover with plaster and do a little decorative tile. Designs, photos how to's?
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vgabndo
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Standard blocks are 8" high, with a mortar joint that is 8 1/2". A conventional stair riser is around an inch less than that, and that is a noticeably
tall step. The combination of rise and run of a stair tread should add up to around 17 inches to feel "normal". Exterior stairs often have less
rise/run for a more gentle slope. Now, if you could find some 6" blocks.....
Also, laying-out and forming stairs for a monolithic concrete pour is no huge challenge. A half sheet of strong plywood and a couple of 2x8's would do
it, and pouring by hand will prevent damage from too much hydro-static pressure on the system.
The drawings show all dimensional materials, but the sides could easily be plywood.
If you did get a 'dislocation' of your forms, your tile cosmetics may just hide it nicely. After all, this is Baja construction, right?
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Russ
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Thanks I'm saving that
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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J.P.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by volcano
we are not builders...but non-the-less...are doing all the finishes on our cabin...need to build a small set of stairs...3 steps...to a back door.
Cannot find any instructions online to build steps with block. Is it o.k....if the blocks are filled with concrete? assumed to set bottom blocks in
cement pad, and do some anchoring with rebar. Np power nor cement mixer...we do all by wheel barrow batches, so poured steps by us not ideal.
Thought we would cover with plaster and do a little decorative tile. Designs, photos how to's? |
My neighbor built their steps much like you described, They used the 6in block and filled all the cells then filled the void under the steps with
compacted soil then former and poured the steps. I have ben up and down them many times they not only fit your stride but look good also.
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roundtuit
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 12-21-2004
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7" high and 11" or 12' is the ideal steps.===.8' is to high and uncomfortable.
Never learned from a book-Only from mistakes, mine and yours
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volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
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Mood: always pining to be there
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well...it is a back entrance that does not have major use......so perfect feel is not essential...we have been either using it with no aid, or with
loose shakey block
great plans if we use the wood form...thanks so much
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RnR
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Use 6" thick blocks. (Or 4" if you want a smaller tread)
Place a double row of block back to back to create a 12" wide tread. Stagger the joints.
For a 12" tread, the rise should be about 6" for the next step.
Set the bottom of the next double row of blocks for the next step 2" below the top of the lower step. This interlocks the two steps and provides a 6"
riser.
Build appropriate side walls, of block, as you go. Plaster the side walls.
Fill the cells with compacted dirt (or mortar/concrete) to within 2" - 3" from the top.
Pour a concrete tread surface at least 2" thick and extending down into the partially filled cells.
OR
If you want to use tile for the tread surface, fill the remaining portion of the cells with tile mortar and continue over the top of the blocks. Set
tiles directly into this mortar.
You need at least a 30" landing at the top, 2"-4" lower than the door sill. Then your stairs below that.
[Edited on 9-27-2013 by RnR]
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-27-2003
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RnR = Rise and Run ???
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Santiago
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I did an 8" rise with a 12" run out of block for the first three steps of my small stairs to my deck. We use it a few times each day and while I
would not want to climb it 20 times a day, it's ok for mild use.
By the way, in the 1990s, the steepest stair allowed by the UBC was an 8" rise with a 9" run. KB homes in So Cal used to build them all the time.
follow what Vagman posted above and you can't go wrong. Fence bock is often 3" wide and you can stack those for a 6.5" rise
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volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
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Mood: always pining to be there
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thanks for all of the suggestions...very helpful
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bajacalifornication
Junior Nomad
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Location: Al otro lado
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According to my carpenter book the perfect Rise 7" and Run is a 11"
Todo por servir se acaba. Y acaba por no servir.
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bajabuddha
Banned
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I used to do stonework, mainly flagstone patios, both sand-beeded and concrete-bedded, and did many a step with concrete blocks. Here in my house i
have them coming and going into the center part, only 3 steps in all (including the upper floor). My last house i built 3 sets of steps and porches,
all 5 steps tall to (and including) the porches.
Here's my suggestion; DRY-STACK 'em, and over-lap the joints... 2nd tier overlapping 1st, 3rd over 2nd, etc. Cut the short blocks to fit with an old
skill saw w/blade turned backwards (or buy a masonry blade, lotsa $$). Then fill the holes of the steps w/ concrete mix, doesn't need too much
portland, 4-4-1 is plenty. Then the void between each row of steps fill in with dirt, and pack well with a block. Leave 2" free to cap w/concrete,
and either finish the top w/ stone or just the cement.
It's a 7 1/2" rise and a 17" run, and i love it better than the typical 'code' 7x12. Gives a longer stride, more smooth ascention, and if you really
wanna get fancy you can facia the concrete blocks either w/ stucco or 'quick-wall' product (a stucco w/fiberglass, can be tinted) that looks great.
The trick is, you have to inset the first set of blocks (when you figure out what your capping method will be) and make sure all the steps from
ground-to-top are equal distances.... that's the basics for code, regardless if your steps are 3" or 15" talll, you don't want one or two more than
3/4" different than the rest, or you find yourself ''goof-stepping" on the off-one(s). You can figure your distance from top to bottom and discern
whether 5" or 7" blocks will work best for the # of steps you need.
Also forgot to mention, it's good to pour a simple footer for the outer size of your project... if in soft soil, a little rebar in it doesn't hurt.
[Edited on 10-5-2013 by bajabuddha]
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
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Mood: always pining to be there
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thank you Buddha.....very helpful. No power,no generator, so no cutting, but do-able
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woody with a view
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or just get some sacks of ready mix concrete and place the bags where you want steps. water thoroughly and you have instant concrete steps.
[Edited on 10-6-2013 by woody with a view]
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