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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

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Preparation for Setting the Stone

First pop out the form and make sure the footing is solid. It's also a good idea to select the stone you want to use and bring it to the work site. You will need different sizes and shapes depending on the part of the steps that you are working on.

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Figure F

Mix Mortar

Mix the mortar for the stone. Dean and Derek recommend using a two-to-one ratio of two parts mason sand to one part mortar. Mortar is not friendly to your lungs, so make sure to wear a mask during this step. Thoroughly combine the mixture while it is dry with a hoe with holes. The more evenly the sand and mortar are mixed, the better your mortar will turn out. Add just enough water to this mixture and mix until it reaches the consistency of peanut butter (figure F).

Figure G

Measurements

• Before you set stone, you need to measure and mark where the steps will be. First find the center point. Here the center of the entryway and threshold is the center of the steps. Mark the center (18 inches), take a level and draw a plumb line down the center of the threshold. Next you need to mark the center point on the footing. Use a square and a six foot level extended over the length of the steps, then hold another level perpendicular to it (make sure it is plumb) to mark the center point on the footing (figure G).

• Next, mark the corners. When you set the stones, you will start at the corners. So measure out from the center point and mark the footing where your first corner will go. Here, the steps will be 5 feet long (determined by the length of the bluestone tread). Dean and Derek decide to have a one inch overhang, therefore the corners will be 29 inches from the center.
  

  Figure H

• Start at the corners. The risers are going to be 7.5 inches high. Subtract from this total the width of the bluestone tread (2 inches) and mortar (1/2 inch) that will sit on top of the stones. The means the stones for the bottom step need to be 5 inches high.

• As you set stones for the riser (figure H), make sure to check they are level as the bluestone tread will be set on top. Also check that your corners are square.
  

  	Figure I
  	Figure J
  	Figure K

• Once the stones for the first riser are set, take some junk from the demo to fill in the gaps behind the stone and build a foundation for the next riser.

• Set the stone for the second riser starting at the corners (figure I). Set it 11.5 inches back from the front of the first riser to allow for the bluestone to have a one inch overhang in the front.

• The second riser is also going to be 7.5 inches high, but the stones you need to build it need to be 7 inches high. This is because the bluestone tread from the bottom step will sit in front of the stones.

• Remember to check the square and level of the stones as you set. You may also need to use shims to hold stones in place. When you complete the second riser, use some junk to fill in the gaps and cover the area with mortar (figure J).

• Build the third riser the same way as the second (figure K).
  

  	Figure L
  	Figure M
  	Figure N

• With the third riser complete, check your measurements for the flashing (figure L). Flashing is a piece of metal such as lead that provides a barrier against moisture and insects.

• You'll need to mark a line where the top of the bluestone platform is going to hit the threshold. This will be the top of the flashing (figure M).

• Take a four foot level and set it on top of the stones along the side of the third riser. Make a mark at the height of the stones.

• Measure up 2 inches from that mark for the height of the bluestone. Draw a line using a level across the threshold.

• Also mark a line where the stonework ends and cut the flashing to size. Set the flashing against the house and nail it in (figure N).
  
  
  

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  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Stone Steps Repair With Fieldstones and Bluestone