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Interlocking Block Wall and Stairs Using concrete pavers to create a wall with the look of natural stone From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-201

(Continued from page 2)

With the bulk of the wall finished and the stairs marked off, work can get underway on building the stair units themselves. A step is broken into two components: the riser and the tread. The riser for this project is made of the full cap block, and the tread of bluestone.

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• Building the Stairs

  Each concrete block is six inches tall and the tread comes in a standard width of two inches--a total height of eight inches. To create a step that is only six inches tall, bury the first riser two inches below grade so only four inches are exposed (figures A and B ).

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

• Set the first row of block so that it's level side to side and front to back. After you put the first row of blocks in for the first riser, set a second row behind it to support the second riser (figures C, D and E).

  Figure C

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

• Between the two rows, place a strip of landscape fabric to keep the stone of the stair footing from bleeding through the steps. Add and tamp crusher run behind the second row of block till it meets the height of the second row of block on the first riser (figured F and G).

  Figure F

  Figure G

  
  

• This wall had a fan shape, so the measurements that were earlier marked out should be used to build the second riser. Because the full caps do not have a tongue and groove system, set the risers with retaining-wall adhesive (figures H and I). Continue building the steps' risers with the full cap blocks until complete.

  Figure H

  Figure I

  
  

	Figure J
	Figure K
	Figure L
	Figure M
	Figure N

Capping and Finishing the Wall

• Top off the wall by adding coping stones on top of the wall's full cap blocks. Dry set all of your coping stones first to determine whether or not you will need to cut the coping stones.

• Note: The interlocking blocks can be built so they curve, and curves provide visual interest. However, if your wall curves you'll need to make cuts on your square-shaped coping stones.

• Dry set the coping stones so the backs touch and they hang one inch over the face of the wall (figure J).

• If the faces of two adjacent coping stones don't meet, one of those stones will need to be cut. Measure the gap between the face of the two stones (figure K), transfer that measurement on to the back of the stone, draw a line with a straight edge between the marked line at the back and the front corner.

• Cut the stone along that line with a diamond blade saw (figure L). After the cut has been made, dry set the stone and move onto the next one.

  Safety Alert: When using a diamond-blade saw, wear safety glasses and a respirator mask.

• Finish dry setting all of the stones and then secure them. Clean off the bottom of the coping stone and the top of the full caps beneath.

• Add retaining wall adhesive and set the stones (figure M).

• Ensure that you have a consistent one-inch overhang (figure N), and that the backs match up.

Product note: The name of the stone product (i.e., stone pavers) used for this project is Roman Pisa® and the color is "vineyard blend." They are made by Ideal Concrete Block Company©. See resource information below.

BEFORE.

AFTER.

1 | 2 | 3

RESOURCES :

Ideal Concrete Block Company
www.IdealConcreteBlock.com

Stonework & Masonry Projects: New Projects in Stone, Brick & Concrete
Publisher: Creative Publishing international (2000)
ISBN: 0865735824
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Step-by-Step Outdoor Stonework: Over Twenty Easy-to-Build Projects for Your Patio and Garden
Author: Mike Lawrence
Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN: 0882668919
Order this title from Amazon.com.

How to Build Walks, Walls & Patio Floors
Publisher: Sunset Publishing Corporation (5th edition; 2002)
ISBN: 0376017082
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Hardscape: Innovative Hard Landscaping Materials for Gardens
Author: Anne Marie Powell
Publisher: David & Charles Publishers (2001)
ISBN: 0715310089
Order this title from Amazon.com.