DIY Network

Dry-stack Wall: Installing Granite Steps From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-102

When building this type of wall, always start with the steps since they will establish the height of the entire structure.

advertisement

	The space between the pool deck and lower yard was a mess...
	but, Derek and Dean got to work...
	and created a beautiful, fieldstone dry-stack wall...
	that added tons of character to this home.

Tools:

Tape measure
Stone hammer
String
Six foot level
Spade shovel
Wheelbarrow
Hoe with holes
Iron rake
Bullet level
Jointer
Hand tamper
Chipping hammer
Wire cutters
Safety glasses

Materials:

3 used granite steps (approximately 3 ft. long x 6 in. thick x 12 in. wide)
1 pallet, thin fieldstone
1 pallet, medium fieldstone
3/4 in. crushed stone (for footing and back fill)
3/8 in. crushed blue stone (for top of wall)
1 to 2 80 lb. bag of premix concrete per step
2 pieces of rebar cut to 3 ft. lengths

Granite Steps Installation

1. The granite steps need a concrete footing, which will ensure that the stones do not move in the wall. Dig the footing for the first step using the spade shovel (figure A). A standard footing and the footing that Dean and Derek created is four to six inches deep (figure B). For soil that is softer, the footing should be deeper...closer to twelve inches deep, to create a more solid base.

2. Mix the bag of concrete in the wheelbarrow using the hoe with holes. The concrete mixture should be mixed to a consistency of peanut butter.

Figure A

Figure B

3. Shovel concrete into the footing. It should be full enough so that the granite step will not sit much below the bottom of the wall. Smooth and level the footing with an iron rake (figure C).

4. Walk and flip the first piece of granite onto the footing. Check the stone for level (figure D). Jump on the stone to correct the pitch of the stone. The front of the granite should be pitching forward slightly so that water will run off the step. Last, check to make sure the front of the granite step is flush with the string (figure E); the steps will be recessed into the wall.

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

5. After the first step is set, dig the footing for the step behind it and repeat the above process (figure F). Set the front of the second step on the back edge of the first step (figure G).

Figure F

Figure G

Note: If the step pitches backwards, add stones or more concrete in the back to jack it up. Make sure that both steps are straight: measure from the front of the second step to the front of the first step on either corner. You should have the same measurement on both ends.

6. Repeat this process until you have set all your steps. The concrete base will take approximately four hours to dry, but you don’t have to wait for it to dry to start working on your dry-stack wall.

Figure H

Cutting Granite

If one or more of your steps is too long, you can have the quarry cut it to your desired length or follow the instructions below to cut the granite yourself. The hammer gun can be rented from a tool rental place (figure H).

Tools:

Tape measure
Square
Pencil
Electrical cord
Hammer gun
3/4 inch carbide drill bit
Feathers and wedge
Stone hammer
Safety glasses

1. Measure your desired length with your tape measure and then use a square and a pencil to mark a straight cutting line across the width of the stone (figure I).

2. Drill evenly spaced holes along the cutting line (figure J). For a width of 12 inches, Derek drills three holes evenly spaced apart (figure K). For a depth of six inches, drill each hole three to four inches deep.

Figure I

Figure J

Figure K

3. Insert two feathers on either side of a wedge into each hole (figure L). Hit the wedges evenly (figure M) across with the stone hammer until the stone splits (figure N).

4. Set this stone like the others.

Figure L

Figure M

Figure N

RESOURCES :

Plymouth Quarries, Inc.
Website: www.plymouthquarries.com