What Is The Proper Way To Install Brick Steps Against The Band Around The House?

TurnkeyConst

Hey well I have constructed a 12x16addition and the band is 2x10size. What is the proper way to flash for the steps to go up to the threshold of the 3/0 door. I have currently installed galvanized flashing where the steps would meet the house and siliconed it in where there is a chance of water getting behind it. I have not built brick steps before but me and my father are going to build these after our current mason screwed the foundation. not happy at all. Does anyone have any how-to articles on building brick steps or best to purchase a book? We have all the tools because my father has done some small brickwork in the past but never steps. I poured a 4'x3'x8" footing to support the steps. It will be 3 steps 8" rise, top step 16" deep and then the rest 11" deep. IF anyone could help me would appreciate it. Or if there is a mason around sanford nc that would like to come help me out and teach us a little would be up for it. Just tired of getting screwed by masons, its our 3 bad mason which all had great references. what else do you do. thanks alot.

Tscarborough

You get what you pay for, especially when you do it yourself.

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Tscarborough

(pics would help)

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Tommy C

Turnkey,

If you've never done brickwork before, a set of steps will be a challenge. If you must do it yourself, I would say buy a book on basic masonry technique, or google some how-to stuff online. Best bet, however, is to hire a mason!

TurnkeyConst

hey there

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masonking02

so why come on here to look for a mason response sounds like u really got it in for us , leave the steps to the pros they go far beyond the basics of brickwork ,

Tscarborough

My experience over the last 30 years and 3 or 4 recessions is that the good contractors keep working and earning a living and the marginal or crappy ones take jobs like this for starvation wages, so we are back to my original post.

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neolitic

Can't help you with the brick work,
or finding a good mason.
I can tell you that lead is the traditional
flashing material if you care about l
longevity.
If you are going to use the galvanized
maybe you could cover it with
ice and water where it is in contact
with the masonry.
Concrete and mortar contact tends
to rot the galvanized prematurely,
and be sure you leave a breathing space
where the wood siding meets the masonry.

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TurnkeyConst

I don't have anything out for you guys and don't have anything against anyone. I don't mind hiring a good mason to do the job. I just am getting tired of getting screwed so I figure the main thing is that if I can figure out the proper way to flash it is the first step. Then if I screw up the construction of the steps I can fix them cheaper than I can pay someone else to screw them up. The job is in sandord nc. I can do the flashing in lead I guess will have to find out where to find it. I will purchase a book on it to see if it will shine some light on it. I don't mind paying for a good job. Currently. I pay 425 per 1000 and 1.50 per block. Plus material. Have payed as little as 325 per thousand. Is this not what I should be paying for good work. Well let me know and possibly where to look for someone decent. I appreciate all the criticism because I am young but willing to learn, but not afraid of trying anything especially If it helps me to identify someone elsea crappy work. Hope you gutta have a good weekend and look forward to hearing from you!

A W Smith

I wouldn't use just metal. I would use Grace Vycor



And right away I see by your illustration that your first step is too low. In masonry, Multiples of eight prevail. which may mean compromising the door threshold to porch slab height to something less than 8 inches. And the top slab needs to be 4' X 4' minumum.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

neolitic

I've used the Grace in a pinch,
seems like a good solution if
you don't have to fish it in behind
existing siding.
Plumbing supply or roofing supply
houses carry sheet lead.

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CR2

Turnkey, NC is a State where masonry is big and tons of skilled masons make a living working in high end quality jobs,offering superb craftsmanship(there are a bunch of loosers too, like anywere else); you should spend time finding a good mason instead of doing, tearing out and redoing steps, your job is to hire the right mason and not to do the job, it will be cheaper for you if you take more time to find the right guy.
Good Luck!

BC Maryland

In Maryland code calls for a landing at the top. For flashing you should of had a piece of copper or other material bent on a brake and use that on top of the brick and behind the siding where it meets the brick. But unfourtunetly you already sided the house so the flashing wont tuck up into the wall properly.