How to fix these steps?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/27289#Comment_27289

I do not know what the general height and depth of a step is (I know I have a bunch of different sized steps like yours tho)

Your reference to 6foot height makes me think the steps are high for easy stepping. I just googled "Stair height Australia" and this was the first off the bat.

"In Australia, riser heights should be uniform across the flight and should fall between 150mm and 180mm. The nosing of each tread should generally not extend more than 30mm beyond the riser" (Outside steps can be different yet again)

I was going to suggest maybe to remove the stairs and redo so the heights are consistant but think I get where you are coming from now. Can the steps be removed and taken further into the soil to allow a resonable step height over a longer distance?

Dave

Hi Dave,

I posted step sizes. Eager to learn of any ideas, had wondered about cutting out and reforming ?

Tread widths

Top down 26cm

1st step width 37cm

Down 26cm

2nd step width 35cm

Down 27cm

3rd step width 40cm

Down 29cm

4th step width 37cm

Down 26cm

5th step width 40cm

Down to ground level

sloping 0 to 15cm

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/76280#Comment_76280

Have you got a photo of the area behind the steps? Only way I can mathematicaly think of making the step height not so great is to go further into the soil area behind the steps. You say the steps are made of limestone? They look like my old steps that had mortar over them and ended up having bessa blocks underneath the thin layer of concrete covering them. The reason I ask is the amount of work involved in removing and putting new ones in would change.

Dave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/76280#Comment_76280

Hello @SN

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your concrete steps.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Dave-1. I'm in agreement with the recommendation of either re-doing the steps or creating more space so that your steps fall within the parameters of Australian standards. The National Construction Code indicates a riser distance between 115mm to 190mm max with a step width of 240mm to 355max.

However, I also suggest checking the rules and regulations of your local council just to be on the safe side, they might have other requirements when building steps.

One other option I recommend is removing the steps all together and using a Stringer H3 Treated Pine Suits 5 Tread. It does come in a bigger size if you need more steps and a longer distance.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/102024#Comment_102024

Photo of the top of steps looking down

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/118011#Comment_118011

Hi @SN

Thanks for posting that extra photo of your steps. If the bottom step is the boundary, then the repair would have to begin at the bottom on that first step. All the old concrete would need to be removed in order to correct the step and riser distances.

Once all the old concrete is off, I suggest taking the measurements of the limestone and building formwork at the correct height and distance. The formwork will serve as the frame for the new concrete cover. Once the concrete cures the formwork can come off and you then paint and seal the new concrete steps.

Here are some handy step-by-step guides:

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/127349#Comment_127349

Thanks Eric,

I don’t think reconcreting will work as the same limestone blocks are beneath.

Because the steps are old limestone blocks I think I will need to cut them back and put another form of steps over the top.

Still thinking. Thanks

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/133494#Comment_133494

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137280#Comment_137280

I was trying to work out the steps yesterday (Thought I had the answer wrong) I redid the calculations and came up with the same answer just now.

From adding up all your step heights I have ended up with 1490mm height of existing steps.

From adding up the depth I have come up with 1890mm

Step width for how to fix steps.jpg

So at 180mm per riser to get to 1500mm its 8 steps (the top one is the top ground level)

and if you go 270mm depth per step it should go into the land by 1890mm (multiplied by 7 as the top step is ground level)

That means you may have enough room in that space you already have but with a smaller depth of step and a smaller height? Its doing my head in trying to nut it out lol. But the sketeches of how i work it out really solidifys what I want to do.

Does it make sense what I have shown?

Dave

Many thanks Dave,

it makes perfect sense to me, I assume that it would require plates fixed to the wall either side with a strong tread across.

now I just need to find someone to help me.

once again thanks

Sue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139899#Comment_139899

Hi @SN (Sue)

I suggest speaking to your local builder or handy person concerning the revamp of your steps. You can then ask for a quote on how much it would cost to bring the steps back to the correct height and length. It would also be a good opportunity to ask what material you should use for your new steps.

It's possible to use wood, but it would all depend on the thickness of the concrete sides of your steps. Once you get your builder to inspect the area, they should be able to tell you if the sides of the steps can be used as anchor points.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the start of the repair project.

Eric

Thanks Eric,

I have that in mind, I believe the side walls are also limestone as they are all part of a large retaining wall which someone decided to render.

We have a lot of strong winds which may have caused erosion to the limestone.

The anchor points will need to be strong as will the material for the treads.

Now to find someone who can build it with an eye for detail,

Will post a finished photo

Thank you

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139899#Comment_139899

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139899#Comment_139899

No problems. One thing that may be an idea to try before you start thinking of tread with and height is to take a stroll around various steps with a tape measure 🙂 You may look a little odd (I always have a tape ,measure somewhere around me) but if we think back to various stairs there are good ones and there are bad ones. If you find a set that feel comfortable take a measure and then at least you will have some knowledge on how it should work out.

Dave

I have finally worked out the “how to” for my steps.

Working from the top down fixing the top step first, I used bricks and a measure to test my theory.

so it will be limestone rounded steps when it gets to the bottom step, it will no longer be at ground level but a step up.

hopefully have found someone to do the job.

Will completed project

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141714#Comment_141714

Hi @SN

I'm glad you've found a solution, please don't forget to post a photo of the process so that our members will see how the steps were fixed.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to the start of the project.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141714#Comment_141714