Need to build a step - any & all guidance appreciated
Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.51 PM
Hi,
On the insistence of my wife, I need to build a new step, which I'm really uncertain on the design/style choice, it's for recently installed side door. I've made a footing. The main issue is I have to use old reclaimed bricks, they're solid all round with no recesses or holes, so I'm concerned how it's all going to 'stick' together and not just immediately crack apart in use?
It will only be a small step. 2 layers high, 2 deep and about 4 long. It will be brick only, no slabs on top (although it is the exact size to nicely fit 2 slabs the same as our terrace, but that's another story! 😂😂)
Anyway, any help greatly appreciated. Do I need a load of ties? Do I need to tie it to the existing wall?
Completed now, thanks guys for the positive comments, seems successful so far! 🤞🤞
Cheers.
(@RichardBowen - Thanks for your contribution, what an amazing idea, why didn't I think of that!! 😂😂
I think you might have missed the point of the site a little 👍)
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Wouldn’t worry about a french train .Steps are below ffl (finished floor level ) you should have a threshold at bottom of door normally ffl ,below it you should have a water drip 10mm below it keep ur step just below the drip .if no drip bar keep it about 10mm below the threshold.when building the step keep ur bricks on the 2rows bonded not 1 brick on top of other.when building front of step keep the 2 rows lower than the back of step so any water or dampness will fall away from the house.when 2rows r built just fill in centre with semi dry mortar and set ur bricks in side pointing with mortar at the finish.when fairly dry use a soft floor brush to compliment ur job good luck
Keep it off the building put some shingle in between the steps and the building so you don’t get any damp going through to the building it’s called a French train
Answered12 July 2020
1
Anonymous user
You don't need to put shingle inbetween the wall. Just use mortar to bond the bricks together.
1 bucket of cement and 4 buckets of sand, a dark red is best for sand.
Use a plastciser to mix in with the mortar to make it use able.
The mortar will bond the bricks together, even though are not cracks or recesses in the brick, they are just like engineering bricks today.
There will be no damp transfered from the step to the house because of the damp proof course in the house.
Make sure you don't go higher than the internal step height.
Fill the step with concreting sand or type 1 hard core to make it strong, then add the copings
