How To Build Steps Out Of Retaining Wall Blocks

Building your own set of steps to an outdoor deck or patio is a great way to add a functional, stylish element to your home. Plus, it’s not as hard as you might think! With these simple instructions, you can build your own steps using retaining wall blocks. In just a weekend or two (and some help from family and friends), you’ll be ready to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Retaining wall blocks are a great option for creating steps. This is because they are easy to install and can be stacked on top of each other to create a sturdy set of steps. Building steps out of retaining wall blocks is a great way to make your yard more accessible, but if you’re not careful, it can also be very dangerous. Here are some tips for building steps that are safe and sturdy.

Plan Your Steps

  • Choose the location for your steps. You will need to choose a level, safe and visible area on which to build your steps. It is important that the location is easy to access as well.

Prepare Your Work Area

You’ll need to prepare your work area and materials before you start building steps. This will ensure you have the right tools, space, and materials for the job.

  • Tools required: Hammer and chisel (or just a hammer if you don’t have a chisel).
  • Space: Make sure there’s enough room to build the steps where they’ll be installed. You should also make sure there are no overhead power lines or other obstructions that could get in the way of your construction project.
  • Materials required: Retaining wall blocks, concrete mortar, bucket of water

Dig And Level The Trench

  • To begin, measure the length and width of your retaining wall.
  • Use a level to make sure that your trench is perfectly straight, and dig down deep enough to accommodate the blocks’ height. (You can use a string line to guide this process.)
  • Once you have dug down deep enough, fill in any gaps with dirt or cement rubble and tamp it down firmly using a tamper or shovel handle.

Add Gravel And Paver Base

To finish your project, you will need to add gravel and paver base to the top of your retaining wall blocks.

Before adding the gravel, use a tamping tool to compact it into a flat layer. Next, place a level on top of this layer and check that it is level by running your hand along its length. Remove any excess gravel with a shovel until they are at the same height as one another.

Install A Leveling Board

You will need to install a leveling board on the retaining wall before you start building steps. A leveling board is used to level a surface and make sure that it is flat and level.

The following steps will help you install your leveling board:

  • Purchase or borrow a long, straight board from someone who has them handy (you can use one of the boards from your retaining wall). The length should be at least as long as the full height of the retaining wall plus 6 inches (15 cm).
  • Cut off about 3 feet (1 m) from one end of the board with a handsaw or circular saw so that this end is even with the top edge of your step molding. This will allow you to check if both sides of your steps are symmetrical after they have been poured.
  • Screw two 2-by-4s through holes drilled into each side of this end piece into opposite sides of your step molding using screws that are at least 2 inches (5 cm) long – 4 inches (10 cm) would be better still! Make sure not to use too many screws because they may weaken your retaining wall over time.”

Install and Level Each Step

  • Use a level to ensure your steps are straight
  • Use a level to ensure each step is level
  • Use a level to ensure the steps are the same height
  • Use a level to ensure the steps are the same width
  • Use a level to ensure the steps are the same length

Create a set of stylish steps for your yard or garden with these simple instructions.

You’ll need the following materials:

  • Retaining wall blocks
  • Leveler board (or 2×6)
  • Shovel, sledgehammer and masonry drill bit
  • Concrete mix, bagged or ready-to-pour concrete and water to create leveler board base for steps

Steps 1 – 3: Create a leveler board base for your steps. The first step is to create a leveler board using either lumber or retaining wall blocks. To make this easier on yourself, use a rotary hammer or jackhammer drill to dig out the earth beneath where you will place your leveler board before installing it.

Conclusion

At last, your steps are ready for use! While constructing outdoor steps is a fairly daunting task, this article should have given you a good idea of what to expect. Once your steps are built, you can continue to landscape around them with plants or gravel. You can also add an outdoor handrail for safety and accessibility. While some landscaping projects may seem overwhelming, they’re really not as difficult as they appear at first glance. With the right tools and instructions—like the ones in this article—you can tackle many of these tasks yourself without having to hire expensive professionals. And once you’ve finished your project, we think you’ll agree that it was worth all the effort.

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