Adding concrete steps whether in your garden, porch, front or backyard, it transforms your outdoor uneven area into a smooth or even surface. Concrete steps are durable and long lasting investment, cost effective and it also require easy maintenance, that’s why mostly homeowners just build concrete steps properly by saving money, then use that money to decorate their area fantastically. If you know the proper measurement skills, have necessary tools, complete planning and concrete handling experience, so building concrete steps by yourself is not that much tricky or complicated you can do it easily. Are you excited to build your concrete steps or want to know how to build concrete steps? Make sure to follow the given steps guide to achieve finest and satisfied results.
What You’ll Need
Equipments:
- Pencil or Powdered chalk
- Level
- Hammer
- Circular Saw
- Wheelbarrow or Concrete mixer
- Shovels and Broom
- Edger
- Measuring tape
- Line level
- Spade
- Scale
Materials:
- Mixed Concrete
- Gravel or Crushed stones
- Wooden forms for shaping the steps
- Water for mixing and curing
- Concrete bonding agent
Tips To Build Durable and Safe Concrete Steps
- Use rebar or wire cage to prevent cracking on concrete steps.
- Ensure the cage is placed evenly before pouring concrete.
- Build a slight slope away from the steps to prevent a water drainage pool.
- Choose a dry weather day for best results.
- Secure the frame perfectly to reduce the collapsing chances.
- Use screws to join the wooden pieces with each other.
- Wear safety gloves before starting the process.
How To Build Concrete Steps – Step By Step
Step # 1 – Plan and Measure Steps:
- 1. After planning where you place your concrete steps, measure the total height of your steps by using scale from the bottom to the height.
- 2. Now measure the rise and run or dimensions of your steps by any youtube tutorial because it will save your time from any problem or issue during measurement.
- 3. Now calculate the no of steps after measuring dimensions.
Step # 2 – Prepare the Ground:
- 1. Firstly, remove any debris or grass from the ground by broom or shovel where you build your steps as it will not break the flow.
- 2. Excavate the ground till appropriate depth i.e at least 4-8 inches for the base making. It will also remove any roots or scrubs from where you build your concrete steps.
- 3. After that, lay a layer of gravel or crushed stones into the excavated area, flatten the area by using a shovel, then pour concrete into that layer for the strong base making.
Step # 3 – Build the Framing Square for Concrete Steps:
- 1. Using your correct measured dimensions, mark those measurements on the wood with a pencil by using scale.
- 2. Now mark those areas where the frame would install or your measured dimensions.
- 3. Place your framework on the surface, make sure the frame is perpendicular to the house door, secure the frame with screws or any support that you will find easy to install.
- 4. Use level to ensure the frame is perfectly aligned on marked areas.
- 5. Now install rise forms into the frame if you do not attach it with the frame initially.
- 6. Use stakes to support and secure the frame for further process.
Step # 4 – Fill the Frame with Rubble or Gravel:
- 1. Fill the framing square with rubbles, gravels or crushed stones to save concrete and time.
- 2. Shovel the rubble surface thoroughly, do not add so much rubbles inside the frame because it will make the concrete layer too thin in the steps.
Step # 5 – Add Rebar Cage:
- To strengthen your concrete stairs , add a rebar cage onto the rubbles or crushed stones.
- Use bolt cutters or an angle grinder to cut the rebar wires to the needed length.
- Now make a rebar cage on the rubbles, which should be above at least to 2 inches from the rubbles, use twisters or balusters to secure the wire.
Step # 6 – Mix and Pour the Concrete:
- Mix the concrete by concrete mixer or wheelbarrow according to the manufacturer’s instructions, make sure the mixture has the right consistency, not too long or too thick.
- Start to pour the concrete inside the frame from starting steps to the ending.
- Tap the concrete risers and run with a hammer and jab a 2×4 up and down in the mix to drive air bubbles out.
- Leave the concrete to settle between the rubbles or rebar cage properly, then add more if needed.
Step # 7 –Smooth the Surface:
- Smooth the concrete surface with a float or level line from rise to the run. Ensure the quantity of concrete is equal in width and height.
- Finish the edges by using an edge to clean or level the edges.
Step # 8 – Curing the Concrete:
- Cover the steps of concrete with a plastic sheet or crying compound.
- Do not remove frames from the steps for at least 24 hours.
- Wait at least 7 days for the concrete to dry completely before using the steps.
Following the above procedure will help you to get the satisfied results. If you are unable to build concrete steps because your project or no of steps are large so we’ll recommend you to hire the professionals. If you are a resident of Shred Wook park, Edmonton or St Alberta then contact Prep-N-Reno for the best experience, large and commercial projects. Their highly skilled team will never ever disappoint you and always be there for you at your one call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Steps
1. How long does it take for the concrete steps to dry?
Typically, concrete steps take 24 to 48 hours to set and 7 days to fully dry for use.
2. How do I make sure my concrete steps are level?
Use level to check the accuracy of your concrete steps especially before the process of concrete pouring.
3. Do you need gravel under concrete?
Yes, gravel smooths the surface to spread the concrete properly and prevent it from flowing into the wrong place.
4. Do concrete steps need rebar? ‘
Yeah, concrete steps need rebar because it reduces the chances of crack, crumble in concrete and also reduce the risk of loss in longevity of concrete.