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Stone Steps Repair With Fieldstones and Bluestone Stone rescue workers Derek and Dean perform emergency resuscitation on some badly damaged stone steps. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-304

DIY's stone guys are on a call to rescue a stone job gone awry. In this Rock Solid project, experts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns repair some improperly installed and badly worn steps, turning a dangerous eyesore into a stunning focal point.

The basic steps in this project, along with tools and materials required, are summarized below.

Before

After

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Tools:

large square
large trowel
safety glasses
mask
wheelbarrow
tape measure
sledge hammer
electric hammer
shovel
level
stone hammer
jointer
brush
hoe

Materials:

round field stones
bluestone
concrete for footing
mortar
mason sand
caulking

Note: The quantities needed for each of these materials varies with the application. For your specific project, Dean and Derek suggest taking your dimensions to a local quarry, where they will calculate the amount of each product needed. Remember to add ten percent for waste.

Design and Materials

• Dean and Derek repair improperly installed steps and turn a dangerous eyesore into a stunning focal point. They use round field stones and salvage the beautiful bluestone treads to save this home's stepped entryway.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B
  	Figure C

• Though the steps need to be rebuilt, there are some parts that can be reused. The bluestone platform and treads are beautiful. Also the body of the steps is solid and can be used as a core to build around, but most of it needs to be demolished.
  

• The first step is demolition (figure A). Clear the site and separate the pieces you will reuse.

• Dean and Derek first try a sledge hammer to demo the block of concrete and stone (figure B).

• If the block is too thick you may need to upgrade the equipment. Dean and Derek decide to rent an electric hammer to demo the concrete and stone (figure C), leaving a core to build around. It is a good idea to save some of the junk from the demo. You can use it later to fill in the gaps as you set stone.

• Building steps involves some math. In this project, the height from the threshold to the footing is 30 inches. This means that you can have four 7.5-inch high steps. (A step or riser shouldn't be higher than 8 inches.) One of the steps in this calculation is the one from the threshold to the top platform. The next three are stone steps.
  

  Figure D

• In addition to the height, you need to measure the length. There are some givens in this project. Dean and Derek are reusing the bluestone platform which is 3 feet wide. There are also two 12 inch wide treads. These total 60 inches. The existing footing (figure D) falls short of the 60 inches needed for the project and needs to be extended 2 more inches.

• Tip: It helps to draw a sketch of the stairs to see how all the measurements are related and to guide you during the building process.
  

  Figure E

• Next, mix the cement for the footing. Use premix concrete and add water until the mix is the consistency of peanut butter.

• Dig a trench a few inches deep, and add the concrete.

• Use a wooden form to keep the footing square (figure E).

• Allow the concrete to dry overnight.

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