Stepped Concrete Wall At Stairs

Prepare the sub base and base leveling pad by following gravity retaining wall cornerstone installation steps 1 to 9.

Stepped concrete wall at stairs.

Purchase some concrete mix and pour it all into a mixer with a ramp or hose. Measure and layout stairs. Stair step concrete block walls often crack along their block lines. To build your own concrete steps start by deciding on the number of stairs you need based on dimensions like the height of each stair which is typically around 6 to 8 inches.

Good concrete has a gray uniform consistency. Using a 2 level carlos began measuring out the stairs on the block wall. Construction of concrete block retaining walls with step by step process materials advantages applications and its construction inspection are discussed. Sometimes a stair step crack will mostly follow the mortar joints then take a short cut through a defective block or brick before returning to the stair step pattern.

Bevel the lower edge of each riser except the bottom one to make it easier to float the tread when you pour the steps. Build each step in sequence with each course of the regular retaining wall units for best results of wall to step interlock. These stairs will measure 7 3 4 riser x 11 tread with a 1 nosing. Carlos started by spreading out the bed of 2 stone.

Add water and stir the concrete according to the manufacturer s instructions. A stair step crack is a diagonal crack but since mortar is usually not as strong as concrete block or brick the crack migrates to the mortar joints as it zigzags along a path of least resistance. Mix enough concrete to complete the wall all at once. For each concrete step cut a piece of 2x lumber to the width of the stairs and rip it to the height of the unit rise if necessary.

Next you ll need to clear the area where you plan to build your steps and lay down a base of gravel to stabilize your steps and keep them from shifting. If you notice a stair step crack think of it in the same terms you would a diagonal crack. Vertical movement in a concrete block or brick wall might appear as either vertical cracks but more often as step cracks in which the crack pattern follows the mortar joints between the masonry units in a stair stepping pattern. In most cases you won t have to worry about the minor cracks that appear in your concrete block wall.

When building steps exercise the same care used in typical retaining wall construction. Fasten the top riser form to the outside of the side forms with three 2 inch screws. If you add too much water the concrete turns a little soupy.