Breeze block steps are a great way to update your walkway or patio area. The steps look great, they’re super durable and they can withstand a lot of abuse. Best of all, breeze blocks are easy to work with and you can build a set of these in almost no time at all. Before you start, you should make sure that you have the proper materials and tools. For example, You will need mortar and water to set your Breeze Block Steps in place. You will also need a mason’s tool called a pry bar along with tarps and shovels to spread the adhesive for the blocks.
Building steps with breeze blocks has a few major differences from using concrete or brick. First and foremost, you cannot connect blocks the way you do bricks. This means that you need to build steps from scratch, without any pre-made components. That said, once you understand the basic building process, it’s easy to create beautiful steps. Here are some step-by-step instructions for making your own breeze block steps.
Breeze blocks are a type of concrete block that’s lightweight and easy to carry. They’re sometimes called cinderblocks or hollow concrete blocks, and can be made from coal ash and other materials. They’re not usually the right choice for indoor walls or anything load-bearing, but they do work well for other things: breezeblock steps, retaining walls, firepits, and more. If you want to add steps that are sturdy to your home’s exterior (or anywhere else), this is a quick guide on how to build them.
Step 1: Cut the footing block
To begin, you will need to cut the footing block to the desired length of your step. The easiest way is to use a masonry saw and make sure it is square and level before cutting. Once you have cut your footing block, place it in position on the ground (or where you want your steps to go) and hammer it into place using a masonry hammer
Step 2: Fill the trench with a gravel base
You will need to dig a trench and fill it with gravel. To do this, take your shovel and dig down into the ground about 15cm (6 inches) deep. The width of your trench should be enough to fit 1 cubic meter of gravel.
You want it to be deep enough so that when you compact the gravel later on, it fills up the gap between where you want your steps to be placed and where they will sit on top of the ground level once built (where there is no step).
Take care not to compact any stones into this area as they could end up becoming loose over time if not firmly packed in place by hand at this stage.
Step 3: Set the first block
- Make sure you’re using the right mortar.
- Make sure your blocks are level.
- Make sure your blocks are straight.
- Make sure your blocks are aligned with each other, if necessary using a spirit level as a guide.
- Check that the blocks are the right size for the width of your steps and height of your risers, which will be measured from ground level or where you want them to sit on the ground at their highest point (i.e., step one), depending on how high up they’ll go this can vary depending on how many steps there are in total and how wide they need to be overall; once again, make sure all measurements are accurate before starting work.
Step 4: Apply mortar and set next block
Now it’s time to apply mortar to the top of your block, and set the next one in place. First, push a trowel into the mortar on top of your first block so it gets spread out evenly. Then, set your next block on top of this mortar and press down hard with your trowel so that all sides are covered with a thin layer of mud. Repeat for each block until you have built up all four sides of your step.
After you’ve finished building your steps (or wall), make sure everything is level by placing an even line at eye level along each side from end to end. If any part seems lower than others, use some mortar mix and trowels to fill in cracks or holes as needed before proceeding with painting or staining.
Step 5: Continue setting blocks and filling in with mortar
Now that you’ve laid the blocks, it’s time to fill in the mortar. You’ll want to make sure that your mortar is thick enough to support the weight of your blocks. If it isn’t, they could break or fall down when someone steps on them. To help ensure this doesn’t happen, use a trowel and spread a layer of mortar over all sides of each block before placing another one on top.
Your next step depends on whether or not there are any gaps between two blocks:
- If there is no gap between two blocks: Use small amounts of mortar (about 1/4 cup) until they are completely filled in with mud and flat against each other.
- If there is a gap between two blocks: Use larger amounts of plastering mix (about 1/2 cup) until it covers over any gaps and fills them in completely so that everything looks level again
Step 6: Cut the ends of the blocks to fit if necessary
Now that the steps have been laid out, it’s time to finish them. Cut any blocks that don’t fit with a saw and fill in the gaps with cement mix.
Once all of your blocks are in place, use a saw or masonry blade to smooth down any sharp edges and corners. This will help prevent injury if someone bumps into them while walking on your steps.
Step 7: Add supports to hold up the top step if needed
The last step is to add supports for the top step if needed. This should be done using wood, steel or concrete.
Step 8: Fill in holes above the block steps with cement mix.
- Fill in holes above the block steps with cement mix.
- Use a putty knife to spread the cement mix over any holes and cracks in the concrete, then smooth it out with a trowel.
- Let your work dry for at least 24 hours before proceeding with step 9.
You can build your own breeze block steps
You can build a breeze block step just about anywhere, and in any weather. These steps are easy to construct and inexpensive, so you’ll have a new addition to your home that will last for years.
Final words
And that’s it. You’ve just learned how to build your own breeze block steps. Just like that, you’re ready to tackle the next step in your backyard renovation project. We hope you had fun, and we can’t wait to see what you do with your new skills.
