How to build a base for Travertine stairs?

[toffeeapple]

Hi all,

I am putting stairs in instead of the stepping stones for our front yard and hoping to extend it to the door which means to change the current tiles to the same Travertine.

Would someone be able to assist in guiding me on the base work prior to and if it's best to lay timber sleepers as a base instead of concrete?

This is the inspiration 

   

[Dave-1]

Evening @toffeeapple 

I would make another backing row of bessa blocks for the top step, that way it will keep the steps even. I would also factor in the height of the concrete slab slope at the rear most point, plus mud for the height of the riser of that step. I figure walking on a sloped tile surface may not be the best is why I am suggesting that the tiles on teh slab stay level.

Dave

[JacobZ]

Hi @toffeeapple,

Nice work so far, it is really coming along nicely.

As @Dave-1 has mentioned, you should factor in the slope on the concrete path from the steps at the front door to your new steps.

How much fall is there along this concrete path?

You may be able to just add another row of blocks flush with the height of the concrete slab and then run the pavers up over it, but if the slope is too severe, you may need to level it off.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[toffeeapple]

I have been using adbri versawall blocks.

It would be too high of a rise (200mm for the block + 30mm for the paver capping).

Essentially, I have a remaining 200mm gap between the last step to the concrete slab, trying to find a way to make another step up (164mm) which will cover the concrete slab and the first step but we are thinking of just attaching a timber sleeper on each side of the first step running down and creating a frame which we can then pave on top of. I hope that makes sense.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @toffeeapple 

Would it be possible to have those blocks sit lower (dig out the soil) and instead of the 200mm rise, have a shorter rise compared to the step? Note this may throw off your step when using them. My old steps were like that.

Im trying to figure out how to lesson the slope of that concrete slab. I dont know if there is an outside leveling compound that would hold up?

You could still end up with a slope but not as steep.

Dave

[JacobZ]

Hi @toffeeapple,

I was thinking the exact same thing as @Dave-1.

Would digging out the soil so the blocks sit lower be a viable option?

Jacob

[toffeeapple]

Hi All,

You can see the gap between the last step and the concrete slab. It's 200mm gap, I think the same retaining block would be too big to fit into there as the concrete slab slopes down (highest point towards the stairs).

[JacobZ]

Hi @toffeeapple,

Is the issue that the blocks are too wide to fit in the space I have marked below?

Is this because of the spillage at the bottom of the concrete slab? If so, you can chip away at this spillage without any issues.

If you were to build some kind of structure out of timber, you would need to use H4-treated timber as it will be in direct contact with the soil and concrete. 

You could also build a small retaining structure out of the brick-style pavers and mortar then fill it with compacted base material. You can then lay your travertine pavers over the top.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Evening @toffeeapple 

When you calculated the steps where did they end up in relation to the concrete? I sat for a few days trying to nut out mine and it has still turned out I didnt factor in my pavers after the top step Will work around it somehow yet to be figured out. So you may have to shift the depth of the steps to allow the steps to work with the concrete, You could cut the concrete but think that will add an issue to the path going to the driveway.

The area on the other side of the steps/concrete that you are excavating are you putting in a path? The reason I am asking is to work out how they could all be tied together.

The last thing I can think of is to halve the bessa blocks in width and effectivly use them as tiles against the concrete slab. I am not sure if the depth of the steps work that way but it could work.

Dave

[toffeeapple]

Hello

Yes I will be making a patio on the area where I excavated.

The current step without a tread on top will be in line with the concrete slabs lowest point. I have left a 200mm gap as I don't know how to finish it. I definitely don't want to have that concrete slab/steps as I will be paving the front porch in front of door and the patio

  

so it would look out of place