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Place the risers
Use ground-treated timber or posts 10cm x 15cm (4in x 6in) for the risers. Planks should be ground treated or similar long-lasting wood and 5cm x15cm (2in x 6in). Old railway sleepers are a popular choice for risers, ensure that they are sound, adjust for any slight unevenness and that they will not be slippery.
To make installation of the pavers easier, place the number required for the depth of the tread behind the riser timber at each end and the middle of the step. Use this as your measure to eliminate any cutting of pavers.
Fix the riser timbers firmly in place with ground treated stakes (2.5cm x 7.5cm (1in x 3in) ground treated) driven in behind the riser pegs and nailed into place. Check that they are level. To maintain the levels and depths during construction fix a temporary plank to the risers at each side of the steps.
It is crucial to work carefully to maintain levels. Keep the steps as level and each riser as even as possible. Not only will the finished steps look better but also they will be safer. As you are more conscious of your footing outdoors than in, garden steps that are slightly uneven can still be safe, very uneven steps will be slow and tedious to negotiate.
Preparing the Base Layer
You can simply lay the pavers on the ground but there may be movement resulting in uneven (and potentially unsafe) steps and problems with weeds will be greater. Using a good foundation material will give your steps longer life and make them safer.
Laying a weed cloth, i.e. a cloth that allows water to penetrate but not germinating weeds, under the base layer will reduce maintenance later.
A 3cm-5cm (1in-2in) layer of crusher dust, widely obtainable from builder's supply merchants, mixed with cement using at 1:4 to 1:7 cement to crusher dust mix (e.g. 1 part cement to 4 parts crusher dust) will give a good firm base as the natural moisture binds it together. Mix thoroughly in a wheelbarrow or on a tarpaulin (you don't want it on the lawn) before lying.
It is worth getting the right material here, as although builder's sand can be substituted for the crusher dust it is not as effective. Beach sand should not be used as it simply will not bind and the steps will be unstable.
Add the mix to to each step, compact with a builder's trowel and level carefully. Again use a builder's level and do not rely on a visual assessment of 'level' - you'll regret it later. Reserve any leftover crusher dust and cement mix in a dry place. Once wet it will become hard and lumpy, and you'll need it to complete the job!
Once you have reached this stage, avoid wetting the steps and cover with a tarpaulin if you have to leave the work overnight or because of rain.
Laying the Pavers
Starting from the bottom step and working up, lay the pavers from one side of each step to the other, after completing each step and move on to that above. Tap each paver into place with a wooden mallet or similar tool. Make sure that you maintain the 'line' if using more than one row of pavers- if the pavers skew the steps will look simply awful. And check with the builder's level frequently to ensure you have an even surface.
Lay the extra row of pavers at the base of the steps to make the mowing edge.
When all the pavers have been laid, brush the reserved dust mixture over them, forcing it into the crevices. This will help to keep the pavers in place.
Wait, Don't Rush
Don't water the steps to fix the cement - let natural moisture such as rain and overnight dew do this for you.
Leave any pegs and bracing timber in place for a day or so until the steps have settled and the cement begun to hold. Try not to use the steps during this stage, giving them a chance to fix before becoming subject to the rough of wheelbarrows, bicycles and the trials of life in the garden.
It's a messy job done. Reseed or lay turf to repair and damage to lawns.
Aftercare
Avoid planting small creeping thymes etc into this style of steps as they can break up the paving, lifting individual pavers and force the wooden risers out of line. Ultimately the steps could become unstable and unsafe. Instead, use pots on the steps (allow for extra width at the planning stage for this) or plant in a complementary style beside the steps.
Keep steps free of debris, leaf litter, lichen and moss. These not only make the steps slippery and dangerous but also can damage the fabric of the steps over time.
Do It!
With thought, good planning and careful work you can create great looking steps in your garden. It doesn't have to be hard. Plan well and enjoy!
Previous Page
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Use pavers to measure treads and temporary cross-timbers hold firm
Work carefully - one step at a time
Measure and check levels often
Steps Cross-section
Careful preparation and the right materials are key |
Use the right materials. Beach sand will not bind.
Start at the bottom and work up.
Lay the mowing edge last
Leave pegs and bracing timber in place until the steps settle and the cement begins to hold
Tidy up and repair any damage to lawns
Good planning and careful work result in great looking steps
So much better than 'before'
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