last-reviews.com

Building concrete steps is a very difficult task, however, it is a project that you’ll end up very happy with. For the first time, to build it perfect, you require concrete steps. Anyone who has had to deal with uneven or cracked steps can attest to that.

Risers and treads are names for the parts of staircases, the risers being the vertical surface of the step, while tread are the parts that run horizontally, this should be outlined in the regulations. The rise and run of your new entry steps is something you want to figure out. The concrete steps should evenly span the distance from the ground to the porch, called “the rise”. By measuring the horizontal length starting at the foundation and ending where the first step will begin you will create what is called the run.

The standard for a stair riser is usually around 7.25 inches tall. Divide the total rise by the number of steps you need. The average tread is approximately eleven inches in width. To determine how far the steps will extend from your house, multiply the tread width by the total number of steps. These measurements are necessary in order to complete the gravel and concrete footings.

The depth of your footings will be determined by your local building code. When building stairs, forms made from plywood according to the measurements you took when preparing for the job, will need to be constructed. In order for them to be even the forms are required to be placed on top of your footings. Use stakes to keep the forms in place.

You should pour your concrete steps from the bottom up. To mix the concrete, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Wait around 20 minutes for each step. After setting the concrete it is time to take the forms away and smooth out any exposed surfaces. Read more about how to build concrete steps yourself.