When homeowners incorporate a stone patio or pathway into their yard, many will like to join the two by constructing some steps in matching pavers. Steps made from pavers are also beneficial in areas of your yard when the path would otherwise become quite steep. So, how do you build steps out of pavers?
Marking and Measuring
- Use spray paint to outline the path that your steps will follow, then drive stakes into the ground at the top and bottom of this line. Tie a piece of string to the top stake and run it all the way to the bottom one, attaching a line level as you do. Adjust the string until it is level (the bubble on the line level should be in the centre).
- Measure the total distance that the pavers will run from the bottom stake to the bottom stake; this is known as the ‘run’ of the steps.
- Measure the vertical distance from the string to the ground on the bottom stake (which you leveled off earlier). You can then calculate how many steps you will need by dividing the total rise of the slope (in inches) by 8 (for a steep slope) or by 6 (for a more gentle one).
Eg. For a 24 inch rise, you will need 3 or 4 steps. - Use spray paint to outline the width of each step on the ground. You will need to estimate the width of each paver you’ll use at the top of the steps, but flat pavers that are at least 12 inches wide tend to work best.
Excavating and Setting Risers
- Dig a base trench inside the paint outline that is about 6 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Fill this trench with about 4 inches of gravel and compact it with a compactor.
- Place your first lot of pavers into the trench. Use a level on top of each paver as you lay it to ensure that their line is level. Add more gravel underneath is the need to raise the height of a paver or two.
- Run a 1 quarter inch S-shaped line of masonry adhesive along the sides of your pavers to glue them together once you have laid them.
- Dig a trench for your next lot of pavers, ensuring that you are starting straight back and at the same level as the top of the pavers that you have already laid.
- Place your next lot of pavers into the second trench, ensuring that the distance from the ground to the top of the pavers is equal. You can add gravel underneath to level out the pavers if needed.
Continue this process until you have arranged your steps from top to bottom. If you have left any gaps between the pavers, you can fill these in using a mix of 50% compost and 50% soil. Pack it in
tightly using your hands, as this will help to prevent the pavers from shifting.