How to Frame Outdoor Concrete Steps ?

Question

My front steps need replaced. They have slanting walls on both sides and 3 steps. Do I frame and pour the side walls first? Then do the steps? Or vise versa? Also do I use regular plywood or something else?

Also, How long before I take off the forms?

Answer 1

the walls ned to be poured first! the reason the steps crumbled is because they need to be poured seperate from the walls in order to allow for movement and heaving from freezing water , ice and soft mud under them! if you attach them to the walls they will bust out for sure!! plywood is fine for the sidewalls with two by stakes or supports to keep them from bowing!!! after walls have set you can then use 2 x 6, 2x 8 or watever your stair heighth needs to be!! you may even have to cut some down (rip) if you prefer an all even stair riser heighth!! bracing them in is the trick after the walls have been set already!! i dont know your exact situation so i cant say for sure! they make galvanized cornr tabs that attach the front riser board and then you just remove the form and leave the corner tab embedded in the concrete!! anyway on stairs all you need is front form or a riser form!! you fill each form to the top and them finish the tread part with a trowel and an edger on the front nosing to keep the nosing from chipping away!! spray all forms with diesel fuel to keep the concrete from sticking to the forms and tap forms with a hammer to insure an even easy to look at surface!! forms can be removed from commercial concrete in 4 to 6 hours , pour it semi hot and semi dry!! they will set faster and have an outside cure faster to hold their shape so you can remove forms sooner!! do not walk on for at least another 24 hours!! good luck

Answer 2

i would set up the walls first so when you pour for the steps the steps will be nice and clean to the wall. regular plywood is fine

about a 24hours to cure