How to Build Small Front Steps Between Stone Walls

The sides of the steps should touch the sides of the walls.

Building a set of stairs between two stone walls isn't really harder than building stairs set away from stone walls, except that the size of the stairs will be limited by the width between the two walls. As long as you can lift concrete blocks and stones, you should be able to complete this project. If you have back problems, consider hiring a contractor or at least asking a friend to help you.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Tamper
• Gravel
• Mortar
• Concrete blocks
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Trowel
• Work gloves
• Stones

1. Excavate the Site

   • 1
     Dig out the space between the two stone walls where you'll be placing the stairs. The left side of the excavated space should abut with the left-hand wall, and the right side of the excavated space should abut with the right-hand wall. Don't dig any farther than you need -- just enough to create a level surface for your staircase. Since your staircase is presumably on a slope, the hole will be deeper at the back than the front. The top of the hole in the back should be level with the top of the staircase when the stairs are in place.
   • 2
     Tamp the ground with a tamper to flatten it.
   • 3
     Lay 2 inches of gravel on the ground in the excavated site. Spread the gravel evenly.

   Concrete Block Structure

   • 1
     Lay a foundation of concrete blocks over the gravel, covering the entire excavated site. The front of this first course of blocks will form the structure for the first step in the staircase. Use a trowel to spread wet mortar over the side of any block that faces into another block. Leave a 1/4-inch joint between each block for the mortar. Scrape excess mortar off the joints with the trowel.
   • 2
     Spread the top of the first course of blocks with wet mortar, but leave a clear space the width of one concrete block at the front of the staircase. Lay the second course of concrete blocks over mortar on the first course. Spread mortar on the sides of the blocks that face other blocks. When the second course is finished, scrape excess mortar off the joints with the trowel.
   • 3
     Continue to lay one course after another, setting each course farther back from the edge until you've formed the structure of the staircase.

   Stone Veneer

   • 1
     Use the trowel to spread the front of the first step with mortar. Place a long flat paving stone the same width and height of the front of the step over the mortar, covering the front of the concrete blocks entirely.
   • 2
     Spread the top of the first step with mortar and place a long, flat paving stone the same width and depth of the top of the step onto the mortar. Use your trowel to scrape any excess mortar out of the joints.
   • 3
     Continue to lay stone veneer over the concrete blocks and scrape excess mortar out of the joints until the stairs have been completely covered.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to cut a concrete block in half during this process, use a chisel and hammer to score a line around the block where you wish to make your cut, then chisel into the scored line to cut the block in half.
• If the side of the staircase make contact with the sides of the two stone walls, clean the stone walls with a stiff brush and place mortar on the sides of the walls touching the stairs.
• If the ground on which you're building your stairs is already stone or concrete, you won't need to dig a hole and lay gravel. Instead, simply spread a thin layer of mortar over the foundation and start to build.
• Use work gloves when working with wet mortar. Don't get wet mortar on your skin.

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