Building Concrete Steps
Concrete is a great material for steps. It’s durable, low-maintenance and good-looking. The fact is we use concrete steps almost every day, at home, office, school – concrete steps are everywhere. Innovation in design and finishing has expanded options to property owners.
Interested in getting a good-looking, long-lasting set of steps for your home? Consider the time, cost and labor invested in doing it right.
Step by Step – Concrete Step Installation
Follow these steps if you want to tackle it yourself. Otherwise, call Capital Masonry for fast, expert installation of concrete steps that will last a lifetime.
1. Excavate the Spot
Concrete’s heavyweight requires a deep, solid base. You need to clear an area around the steps, dig down several inches and then fill this area with gravel.
2. Build the Frame
Use plywood stakes and 2×4’s to build a frame where you want the steps. Be sure to add stakes to brace the forms. It’s also a good idea to coat the wooden pieces with oil or a lubricant to make it easier to remove them from the dried concrete.
3. Mix the Concrete
While precast concrete steps are available, they’re not adaptable for home use as they require a crane to lift them onto your framed area.When building your own steps, you’ll need to calculate how much concrete you need and mix it up on the spot. If you can rent or borrow a small concrete mixer, that will make the job easier.
4. Pour it On
As you pour the concrete into the form, be sure to add an extra amount for the next step, screeding the concrete.
5. Screeding
A necessary step in curing concrete, screeding involves sliding a plywood plank along the top of the wet concrete until it is smooth and even.
6. Finish it Off
Once the concrete is in the shape you want, you’ll need to keep it wet for about a week to let it cure properly. Every day, pour water onto it and let the water evaporate. Once the concrete dries, pull out the wooden forms and enjoy your new steps.
Make it Easy
Installing concrete steps is a job that requires patience and skill. Working with concrete is not for the faint of heart because if you make a mistake it’s set in stone.Make it easy on yourself by hiring a professional mason to install the steps for you. Our expert masons will measure, mix and build with precision so all you have to do is enjoy your beautiful, durable new steps.
Call the Concrete Experts
If you have a job involving any kind of masonry in the Virginia, Maryland or Washington, D.C. areas, give Capital Masonry a call. We’re a third-generation family business with a sterling reputation in the community and a commitment to customer service that will not quit.
Get ready for warmer weather with durable, attractive concrete steps where you can show off your planters or just sit and enjoy the sunshine. Your family and guests will be safe whenever they walk up and down these strong, secure steps. Call Capital Masonry today and let us take care of all your stonework or concrete installations and repair.