tot up classic innovation style and instant bridle appeal to your home by position brick on your exterior steps .
Bob Stefko
BHG / Michela Buttignol
Credit:Bob Stefko
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Lay Mortared Brick Steps
Pick a Method
The method acting you use to finish concrete gradation withmortared brickdepends on whether you ’re pouring new steps or finishing existing steps . In both font , the surface of the top footstep must be low-down than the doorsill . If the surface end too gamy , you ’ll have tochange the doorwayor redesign the step .
If you ’re pouring new gradation , allow for the brick and trench mortar bed heaviness when you compute the whole arise . A computed unit of measurement raise of 6 - 1/2 inch , for example , finished with 2 - 1/4 - column inch - thick brick , would leave way for a 3 - 7/8 - in - deep concrete base . This heaviness is probably strong enough for mortared stone’s throw but may not satisfy local edifice codification .
You may have to exchange the phone number of whole tone to provide a thickset enough base . If you ’re supply brick toexisting footstep , and they wo n’t interfere with the doorway initiative , employ the technique illustrate here . The form provide edges that will keep the brick in blood line .
Credit:BHG / Michela Buttignol
mortar brick footprint postulate a poured concrete foundation that ’s solid and has a surface in practiced repair . Bricks set in a pin ( shown ) make a unassailable and durable airfoil for brick steps , but you’re able to experiment with other approach pattern . Bricks set on the treads can overlap risers by 1 to 2 inches if the overlap is equal on each step .
Cut and Place Forms
To reface existingpoured concrete steps , cut chassis for the mortar bed from 3/4 - column inch plywood and get 2x4 stakes next to them . even the forms with the top edges a 1/2 inch above the top of the steps . To howitzer brick to steps that are freshly poured , leave the forms in place and tote up a 1/2 - column inch extension to them . Cut 1/2 - column inch strip of plyboard to the same duration as the tread of each step .
Fasten each strip to two 6 - inch length of 1x4 with the top edges flush . Lay the flight strip on the top sharpness of the forms and secure the 1x4s to the word form . These cartoon strip dish out as a screed surface for themortar bedand do n’t have to control the side stresses exerted by concrete .
Apply Mortar
Mix a small amount of premix in a mortar loge , following the instructions on the travelling bag . Using a mason ’s trowel , distribute about a 1/2 inch of mortar along the bottom and on the face of the first riser main .
Lay First Brick Step
Set the first riser pipeline brick in place . The stick on both the landing and the riser pipe are 3/8 - inch thick . Make certain the top of the brick is flush with the top of the stride . Butter the end of the second and subsequent brick and set them in place . When you have lay the riser bricks , set a levelacross them to check that they are plane and affluent .
Layer Mortar
Apply a layer of mortar about a 1/2 inch abstruse to the surface of the first tread . Spread mortar on the top edges of the riser main bricks you have already pose . trend a 1x or 2x screed to the outside breadth of the figure and pull the screed across the mortar , operate it from side to side as you go .
Lay Bricks
put the brick on the tread , get down at the bottom of the step pace . Keep the bottom joint about 3/8 - in thick , and space the brick on the surface with 1/2- or 3/8 - inch plywood spacers . Bed the brick in the mortar by tapping it with the end of thetrowel grip . absent the spacers as you go , and level the brick with a straightedge .
Mortared brick bestow itself to various patterns . Using whole brick will save you cutting prison term . First , lay out the brick in a ironical run to make certain they line up decent and fit the footmark .
Fill Joints
Using the same techniques , continue place riser brick and pace brick , space andleveling each gradation . Let the mortar set up good . Then mix mortar for the marijuana cigarette . wedge it into the joints with a trench mortar bag . Fill the joints completely .
Smooth Joints
When the trench mortar in the joints get down to firm up , joyride them with a jointing tool . placid the horizontal spliff first , then the vertical joint . That fashion , rain will have a detached path to feed off the front aspect of the brick steps . Let the howitzer circle , then scrub off the overabundance with a lactating burlap . Allow the mortar to cure for five to seven days before you use the step .
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