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Need suggestions for deck stairs landing on grass

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tcleve4911

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm building Pressure Treated stairs to terminate at grade on the grass.
I'm planning on digging out 6" of sod & dirt and installing 3/4" natural stone back to grade height for the stairs to land on.

Will this help with frost?..or am I better off to just put down a PT platform?
I was thinking of 6x6 PT but am I over-thinking this one?

Thanks......
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I think his piles (sonotubes) are to address frost heaving.
In order to have a full platform do the same thing, wouldn't you need 4' frost wall and slab????????:blink:
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
RobertCDF said:
Depends upon attachment at the deck. Around here we attached in a manner that if the ground heaves the stairs move up or down with the ground. (never seen them move in the past)
Click to expand...
I've seen them move a little and then settle back in the spring.

I think I'm leaning towards my 6" stone idea......

....but please critique my thoughts............
 
#7 ·
RobertCDF said:
Depends upon attachment at the deck. Around here we attached in a manner that if the ground heaves the stairs move up or down with the ground. (never seen them move in the past)
Click to expand...
Yeah... hinge it and do your gravel base for drainage...
 
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#8 ·
Most codes require footings as well as a 3' wide landing pad. That being said, I've never poured footings and have never been called out on it. We usually run a 2x cleat across the bottom of the stringers and set them on several 4" concrete block.
 
#10 ·
I've used Sonotubes and a concrete lintel on the flat with good results. Cut the first tread 1.5" short and box it with 2x, then PVC risers. Nice and sturdy.
 
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#12 ·
We've always used posts buried that acted as a newel post........you need to have a railing......right? so even if code says you can't bury a post, why not a sonotube under the stringer?

(I'm going by the posted picture)
 
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#13 ·
on the west coast, that's not ground contact pt. Doublers, Triplers, any type of exterior lamination will not hold up 15+ years. I tear them out on a regular basis and i live in an area with an average rainfall of 14 inches. Any time you do a lamination you set up the potential for moisture to get trapped. we all know what happens next, pressure treated, redwood, cedar what ever.
 
#19 ·
parkers5150 said:
Lone? Eat coast/ west coast...... again... syp = southern yellow pine??????
my personal opinion is Hem fir
are they related??????????????????
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All the PT I've used over the years is Southern Yellow Pine. It's much easier to pick out after it crowns, whips and twists.:furious:
 
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#20 ·
:help:
parkers5150 said:
Festerized, you've shown here that you've got skills, but..... that "grade beam" is a rotting mess just waiting to happen
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LOL, it’s above ground and ACQ is rated for being underground. IT WILL NOT ROT:tt2:
The lower landing has pavers. Somewhere in this mess of a PC I have final pics, I’ll find and post. :jester:
 

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