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How to fix brick stairs to shed?

RustyCustoms

Hello, hope everyone is well.

I need some help deciding what would be the best option for the entry into my shed. Keep in mind this will be the first time laying bricks and mortar so advice on this too would be appreciated. Please see attached photo for reference.

I would like to bring sections B & C to the height of section A. As it is right now every time it rains water just comes straight down those stairs and into my shed. But from there should I continue with the stairs made from bricks down into the shed or should I go with a set of bolt on stairs.

Thank you for any advice you can offer.

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R4addZ

Hi @RustyCustoms

I doubt bringing the stairs area level with the pavers will help as the water will still have to go somewhere and that is likely to be over the newly raised section and into the shed as usual. You need to look at ways to get rid of the water. Some pictures of the surrounding area may help us to advise you.

EricL

Hello @RustyCustoms

I agree with @R4addZ suggestion, would it be possible for you post a photo of the surrounding area along with a picture of the full entrance. This will give our members a better idea of the current situation. Perhaps there might be a way to divert the rainwater or cover your steps and prevent water from flowing into your shed.

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

Eric

RustyCustoms

Hey R4addz and EricL,

Thank you for your response. I will take a couple in the morning for you.

Cheers, Rusty

RustyCustoms

Hey R4addz and EricL,

I’ve included two other photos, hopefully they are what you are after.
On the immediate right of the first photo is a swimming pool which is about 1.5m away from the stairs. I was thinking that if the entrance was ramped up to about 20-30mm above the paving then the water would flow to both sides of the entrance. On the left hand side there is a drain for the down pipe off the house and on the right there is a drain for the down pipe off the shed. I’ve cleaned the gutter out that’s above the entrance because that was becoming an issue. Would a lack of an eave be a problem too?

R4addZ

Hi @RustyCustoms

Unfortunately I can't see the photos!

RustyCustoms

I’m having a bit of trouble uploading the photos. Sorry

JacobZ

Hi @RustyCustoms,

As R4addz mentioned, your new images haven't come through. Could you please try uploading the images again?

If you have further issues, feel free to send them through to workshop@bunnings.com.au and we can upload them for you.

Jacob

RustyCustoms

Hey Jacob,

I’ve emailed them through to you just now.

Thanks

MitchellMc

The lack of eaves is likely a strongly contributing factor @RustyCustoms, and due to it, even if you fill in this area, it's probable that you'd still get some rain shed in the opening. Have you thought of adding a canopy awning over this area? That would help deflect a significant portion of the rain.

Alternatively, filling in the stairs, adding internal stairs and then adding a door with weather stripping would likely be a good solution. I don't think moving the stairs in is going to resolve the issue entirely for you.

Mitchell

R4addZ

Hi @RustyCustoms

There doesn't seem to be a simple answer to this one. How much water are we talking about here?

JacobZ

Hi @RustyCustoms,

Thanks for sending them through, I've added them to the above comment.

Unfortunately, it's really not an ideal scenario as your shed sits considerably below the height of the paved area and there is no real overhead protection.

Adjusting the stairs is unlikely to have any real effect. I would suggest you need to install some kind of physical barrier, such as a row of bricks on either side of the stairs to prevent water from entering from the sides, then with the assistance of a plumber, install a channel drain across the top of the stairs to capture any surface water that flows towards the stairs.

Then, like Mitchell mentioned, some kind of overhead protection, such as an awning or portico could help to keep rain from falling directly onto the stairs.

Unfortunately, with your shed being below grade, it is likely you're always going to have issues with water, but these options could help.

Jacob

RustyCustoms

Hi MitchellMc,

Yes, the plan was to make the entrance the height just above the surrounding paving, replacing the old door which I’m doing now, and to have some overhead cover.
This would stop 90% of the water coming in, I believe anyway.

R4eddz, probably looking at maximum 20-30L when it’s the bad storms.

R4addZ

@RustyCustoms

If you are building out the steps, could you build in a waterproof void and install a grate and small self start sump pump to get rid of the water before it gets to the cellar

RustyCustoms

Hey @R4addz, funny you mention about the self start pump, that was one of the first ideas that came to my mind. But I would rather try and stop the water getting in than deal with it when it’s in there. Hope that makes sense.

Do have any advice on how to brick in those stairs? I’m an absolute novice when it comes to brick and mortar and any advice, suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

RustyCustoms

Thank you to @EricL, @JacobZ, @MitchellMc and @R4addZ for taking the time to help me. Greatly appreciated.

Any advice on bricking the stair section, please?🙏

R4addZ

Hi @RustyCustoms

The first issue you will have is that you need something the thickness of the pavers to put over the upper step. You can create a slope by increasing the depth of the mortar bed as it approaches the shed but then it comes down to how to increase the next step to make sure the step isn't too high (or deep in this instance) for comfort!

JacobZ

Hi @RustyCustoms,

Like any project, getting your head around things first, measuring, laying out, and making sure things are clean and well prepared for what you are planning to do are key to achieving the best results.

When you say bricking the stair section, what exactly are you looking to achieve after having had this discussion?

Is it still to level that top step with the patio?

If so, then you would need to, as R4addz said, find something that is an appropriate thickness, with the addition of a mortar bed of about 10mm, to line up with that top step. This could be simple, but it could also mean cutting bricks or pavers to suit, in which case, you might need to use a brick saw, like this one that you can hire through our hire shop - https://www.bunnings.com.au/for-hire-brick-saw-with-blade-24hr_p5470013 .

As long as your bricks or pavers are the correct size, you'd want to wet the bricks down to aid with adhesion, lay down your mortar bed, then lightly tamp the brick or paver down, checking for level as you go. You can see the process here - https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/walls/how-to-build-a-brick-wall .

If there was any particular question you had, please let me know so I can assist further.

Jacob

RustyCustoms

Hey everyone,

Here’s a couple of photos of my progress. Not show room quality but not bad for my first time at doing this, I think anyway. Once again thanks to you all for your help.

JacobZ

Hi @RustyCustoms,

Thanks for the update. The brickwork looks very nice and those stairs look solid.

Hopefully it has helped with the drainage also.

Jacob

EricL

Hello @RustyCustoms

The brick work looks very well done and the installation of the steps is perfect. Should you run into extra time and funds, I suggest installing a timber awning in front to further redirect the rainwater. I've placed a sample image rendered in AI to give you an idea of how it can be done.

Eric

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