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Bluestone Landing for a Historic Home From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-212

(Continued from page 1)

	Figure C
	Figure D

Setting up Strings

• Dean and Derek set up crisscrossing strings at the desired height of the landing to measure the uniform depth of the footing (figure C). Their footing should be three inches beneath the string (allowing 2 inches for the bluestone pavers and 1 inch for the sand base). Tightly tie the string between metal stakes or a piece of rebar. Use a line level to check that both of the crisscrossing strings are level.

• Next, gently pitch one of the strings – about a quarter of a bubble pitch – to direct water off of the landing and away from standing structures. Dean and Derek pitch the string so that water will pitch away from the stairs and into a planting bed they are designing around the bluestone landing.

• The last step is to add or subtract gravel and compact so the gravel footing matches the height and pitch of the crisscrossing strings (figure D).
  

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  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• The next step is to prepare a screeded one-inch sand base. Set up two one-inch pipes parallel to each other about four to six feet apart. Double check to make sure they match the level and pitch of the string.

• Pour the sand between the pipes, spread with a landscape rake (figure E) and then screed (or level) between the two pipes using a 2x4 wooden board (figure F). Set the pipes for the next section and repeat the same process.

  Rock Solid Tip: Bring all of your tools and materials to your area before you start screeding. Once the sand is spread and screeded, you'll want to avoid disturbing it.
  

• Before they start setting the stone, Dean and Derek square the landing (figures G and H). They want the landing to be centered and symmetrical off of the stairs--which will serve as the entrance to the landing. If the area that you're working with is not perfectly square or symmetrical, you should either square the landing or visually adjust the symmetry by adding a planting bed around the perimeter landing.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  
  
  

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  RELATED PROJECTS: Dry-stack Wall: Measuring and Preparation Dry-stack Wall: Installing Granite Steps Dry-stack Wall: Footing, Specific Stones Dry-stack Wall: Building Cobble Pavers: Design and Excavation Cobble Pavers: Preparing Sub-base, Laying Borders Cobble Pavers: Field Cobble Installation Cobble Pavers: Grouting Round Stone Planting Wall: Demolition of Old Wall/Prep Work Round Stone Planting Wall: Setting First Row of Stone Round Stone Planting Wall: Finishing the Wall/Capping Round Stone Planting Wall: Creating Granite Posts

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Bluestone Landing for a Historic Home