New Brick Pavers Steps lead to Paver Patio
In
Ann Arbor this past week, we replaced some unsightly and dangerous
patio block steps that had deteriorated and eroded. These dilapidated steps lead down to a basement
walkout paver patio that was also repaired and increased in size. The
step replacement was the customer's immediate need for our services.
The old
brick steps were loose, sunken, and slippery which all contributed to an unsafe path down to the
brick paver patio. I see these make shift steps all the time leading from an upper grade down to the lower level. A good design and execution of installing proper
paver steps is essential for long-term success & beauty.
I decided to use
UNILOCK's Siena Stone Coping Step Units for this particular application. They are large massive units that when properly installed, should not fail. They have preset 7.5" rises, 4ft wide, and are 20" deep for a comfortable & safe tread. These particular units weigh over 300lbs and require equipment placement or brute strength to set in place. We used the latter with some aid from a tree ball cart.
We needed to strategize the placement of these
concrete stone steps by evaluating the total height and slope. Each set of these
paver steps would require small
brick paver pads in between to transition to each set of steps. Because the grade in this area was inconsistent, we had a 2-5-2 placement of
stone steps. An experience
brick paver contractor can foresee or adjust to challenges when if comes to installing
landscape steps.
The biggest challenge for
designing & installing paver steps is to create a structure that can deter erosion. Because of the natural slope of grades, water will travel faster and therefore challenge the ground or landscape. I use two different application approaches when
designing & installing paver steps.
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Beating the Grade |
The first is called
"beating the grade" which I have coined over the years for installing the steps and/or
paver pads above the grade. Thus,
"beating" the grade so water flow does not go over the
brick paver step installation but around. This method is better suited for grades that are gradual and not steep. This is the method we used in today's job post.
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Inset Steps |
When the grade is steep, the second method called
"encasing or insetting" is the better approach. This
"encasing or insetting" method is installing your
paver steps "into" the grade and creating sidewalls to prevent erosion onto the
paver steps or paver pads. This method is more expensive due to more product needed and added labor but the aesthetic value and appearance is unmatched.
Which ever method is used for installing
brick steps down a grade, proper landscaping around the borders and edges is crucial. Grass, wood mulch, or stone mulch is needed to protect any areas where water may erode. If you experience any signs of erosion around or on top of your newly installed
paver steps, make sure you address the area immediately to avoid unnecessary and costly future
paver repair.
In terms of
paver maintenance for steps, keep
paver joint sand swept into the
brick paver pads in between. The
step stones or
step blocks & caps do not need sand swept inside them but make sure the caps are secure and blocks do not gap. Keep one thing in mind, if a lower
paver step begins to excessively settle or move, upper
paver steps will soon follow so do not wait to address this need for repair.