How to Build Brick Steps

A brick stairway is a durable option in the patio or at the entrance of the house. These brick steps render a traditional look to your house. Although, they are elegant, there is a lot of skill and knowledge required in building brick steps. Building a quality stairway that will last for long is important. To construct a brick stairway, proper construction material and skill, are the two basic requirements. Here is an answer to your question of how to build brick steps.

How to Build Brick Steps - Material
The material required for building the brick steps is as follows:

• Bricks
• Trowel
• Mortar
• Cement Mixture
• Shovel
• Measuring Tape
• Fine Sand
• Nails
• Hammer
• Water
• Level
• 2"x6" stock (Foundation pad)

Read more on materials used for construction in building materials.

How to Build Brick Steps - Installation

Step 1
The foremost thing to be done is to prepare a layout of the number of steps that you need to build. This will give you an idea about the amount of bricks, mortar and cement mixture that you will require to build the steps. Another estimate that you will have to do is the dimensions of the stairs.

Step 2
With the help of a level, level the soil under the foundation of the brick stairs. Place a 2"x6" stock as a foundation pad. The cement is mixed according to the instructions that are given on the cement bag.

Step 3
The next step is to build a frame of the brick stairs. With the help of a level, lay cement of about 1 inch between two bricks. It is not necessary that you use expensive bricks for this first course of the stairway. Ensure that this first course is leveled properly. This completes the interior brick frame of the brick stairway.

Step 4
The next step in how to build brick steps is, to mix the cement as per the instructions given on the cement bag. It is recommended that you use Portland cement for the construction. This cement stands well against the harsh weather conditions especially, rains. After mixing the cement, it is time to place the face bricks on the first course that we have built. The face brick is that brick that is visible on the step.

Step 5
While placing the face brick, you will have to build a tread. When building a tread on the stairway, it is important that the tread comprises of a pitch. Building a pitch is a crucial step in building the brick steps. The pitch allows water to run off the steps.

Step 6
After the tread, the riser bricks are to be placed. There is a thumb rule when you lay the bricks. The rule is, that you have to provide space between two bricks so as to fill this space with mortar using a trowel. Lastly, the excess mortar is removed and this ends the procedure of building brick steps. After constructing the brick steps you can add a railing to these stairs. For more information, read outdoor stair railings.

This was all about how to build brick steps. I hope this will give you some reference when you decide to build brick steps in your patio or entrance. Read home construction to get more information on topics like these.