Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - BRICK STEPS
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : BRICK STEPS
03-27-01, 05:50 PM
WE WANT TO REPLACE OUR WOODEN ENTRANCE STEPS TO OUR HOME WITH BRICK STEPS. IS THIS SOMETHING WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO BUILD OURSELVES? DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A BOOK OR WEB-SITE WHICH COULD TEACH US HOW TO BUILD THE STEPS??
2000
03-27-01, 08:21 PM
Basic Masonry (http://www.bhglive.com/homeimp/masonry.html)
03-28-01, 11:29 AM
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO. ON THE WEB SITE. ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT WISH TO INSTALL TIMBER AND BRICK STEPS, BUT RATHER TOTALLY BRICK. WISH I COULD FIND INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAME.
2000
03-28-01, 10:58 PM
My mistake. I should have realized that you are new to the internet. Save the former URL.
Solid brick steps is a very old construction method. Today it is rarely used, because of the problems involved (constant moisture, spalling , and erosion, are among them).
Overview: build 8" walls for the landing, then 4" walls for the steps directly on firm soil. Fill the interior with soil & compact. Add 4" of crushed stone & compact. Then lay 30# felt, a 2" mortar bed, then lay the brick. The former URL has how tos for laying brick walls that are easily adapted to a box form.
A better method involves a concrete base. The former URL has a how to for forming and pouring concrete steps. This URL shows a side view http://www.bia.org/BIA/technotes/t29b.htm
If you need step by step instructions the BIA has a project guide that may be of help http://bia.org/acatalog/BIA_Homeowner_4.html I have not read it myself so I don't know which of the many possible methods of construction is used. Other sources include how to masonry books (Better Homes and Garden and Sunset Magazines are two large publishers of how to books) and the public library.
For bond patterns consult the BIAs technotes. The landing should extend one foot on either side of the
door, extend 3 feet in front for auxiliary doors and 5 feet for the main entry.
In every instance some planning and adapting to suit is involved.
Solid brick steps is a very old construction method. Today it is rarely used, because of the problems involved (constant moisture, spalling , and erosion, are among them).
Overview: build 8" walls for the landing, then 4" walls for the steps directly on firm soil. Fill the interior with soil & compact. Add 4" of crushed stone & compact. Then lay 30# felt, a 2" mortar bed, then lay the brick. The former URL has how tos for laying brick walls that are easily adapted to a box form.
A better method involves a concrete base. The former URL has a how to for forming and pouring concrete steps. This URL shows a side view http://www.bia.org/BIA/technotes/t29b.htm
If you need step by step instructions the BIA has a project guide that may be of help http://bia.org/acatalog/BIA_Homeowner_4.html I have not read it myself so I don't know which of the many possible methods of construction is used. Other sources include how to masonry books (Better Homes and Garden and Sunset Magazines are two large publishers of how to books) and the public library.
For bond patterns consult the BIAs technotes. The landing should extend one foot on either side of the
door, extend 3 feet in front for auxiliary doors and 5 feet for the main entry.
In every instance some planning and adapting to suit is involved.
03-29-01, 06:58 AM
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELPFUL REPLY. WE WILL PROCEED TO CHECK IT ALL OUT.