Please advise how to create a form for a solid concrete staircase that will rise up 4 feet to a wood deck.?

Question

I can't have an open cavity underneath it because i don't want critters making a home down there. This will be a straight shot up. One builder wants to pour concrete into a form with rebar and do the entire thing from a concrete truck. Another builder wants to use cinder blocks to build up most of the base, and then hand mix concrete to cover the rebar and stairs - forming a 2" slab across all the steps. I don't want to spend more than 800 dollars.

Does anyone know the best way to build this staircase? 4 feet high, 4 feet wide and a total length of 6 feet from end to end as measured on the dirt. Exterior. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

First consideration is that the concrete stairs have a substantial footing underneath them. The footings should be below the frost line and rest on undisturbed soil according to local building code requirements. The footing must be sized correctly so that the considerable weight of the stairs is evenly distributed. Failure to do the above will ensure that that the stairs will surely heave and settle as the seasons change. Eventually the stairs may even become unsafe and unusable.

It is common practice to use block, rock, soil, and other rubble to fill the bulk of the space inside the forms. Doing otherwise is simply a huge waste of money since concrete is expensive. I would insist on ready mix concrete from a concrete truck because bagged concrete mised by hand tends to produce a less than desirable result when used in flatwork and stairs.

Even with concrete steps, you will still need to install handrails according to code. This is more difficult and expensive on concrete. I guess you can see where I am going with this.

I would seriously consider having a good set of wooden stairs and railings built instead of concrete.

Good luck with your project.

Answer 2

The solid concrete pour will require temporary forms to built for the sides and each step. Plywood and 2x4s, plus some bracing - that's a day or two of time for a carpenter, then you throw it all away after the pour.

The concrete (cinder) blocks won't need a form - they will be the form. So you are paying for someone to lay bricks.

The biggest cost will be determined by how large of a landing do you need at the top step. If you can just build steps and a small landing, you save yourself a lot of time and materials because the size of the landing will require either a lot of concrete under it, or a lot of blocks. Your building code might have a minimum requirement for the landing dimensions.

I would think the concrete blocks will be more cost-effective. You might ask that builder to see if he can use an expanded metal lath to hold the 2" of concrete on top of each step row. Rebar could be use to connect the blocks together, but the lath would have small holes to hold the concrete steps. If you decide with the concrete block design, I suggest you build a 4" thick rebar-reinforced base for all the blocks to have a level base on which to sit.

Also consider the rise & run of each step. Again, codes will be a guide, but I have seen stairs from 7" by 7" up to 9" by 9", and any combination within those limits. A solid concrete poured stairway will give you exactly what you want, but a concrete block stairway rise and run will be determined by the height and width of each block (typically 8" x 8" x 16".)

Answer 3

if you build the form it will take along time do to the wieght of the concrete the form would need to be very stong. Use std 12" block that's 8" high 16" long 12" deep mortar them together and fill the core with concrete you will achieve the same results with less time because when you fill the core solid you can use dry readymix from the bag it will harden over time and it will be a very stong structure. then you can cap the treads with concrete or buy stone and take it up a notch.. BAM

Answer 4

Wow! and for under 800 bucks? I also think you'll have settling and cracking problems with that much concrete. Whoever offers to build something for you, ask to see one thats been around for a few years.

Answer 5

If your dog is running around and playing he should be okay. If he starts limping real bad or anything you should take him to the vet, but he'll probably be fine, dogs are tough. Don't feel guilty you couldn't have known he would jump off:)