Patio & Step Help Please.

[Olf]

We put in a new set of doors on the patio a little while ago with the plan that we'd be doing the patio shortly after. This hasn't come to pass just yet and it might be another year or so before we fit this in. So between then and now I want to put a permanent (temporary) step in. This is where I need your help.


I don't really want to start digging up the existing patio so my plan was to use a brick base (which I kept after the hole was knocked for the doors) and with a patio stone top, just the cast concrete jobs. This step is going to be about 1m deep (as you approach towards the door), 2.5m across and total about 200mm high.


Does it sound sensible to do this as a temporary measure without digging footings etc (doing it properly)?

[Autonotiv]

Yea that will be fine.

[Olf]

Autonotiv said:

Yea that will be fine.

Cheers. Now I just have to remember what my Dad taught me about mixing cement!

[Autonotiv]

Just make sure the top of the step is 150mm (ish, could get away with 100mm) below the DPC.

5 Sand : 1 Cement + Feb, will be fine for the morter.

Just remember when knocking it up you can allways add water but not take it away.

[anonymous-user]

How about a couple of strategically placed breeze blocks on edge, and a 3x2 flag on top, do as a temp job, shouldn't move anywhere.

Or just put a steady brick base under the flag, dont waste your time with mortar.

[Olf]

Autonotiv said:

Just make sure the top of the step is 150mm (ish, could get away with 100mm) below the DPC.

5 Sand : 1 Cement + Feb, will be fine for the morter.

Just remember when knocking it up you can allways add water but not take it away.

Okay about the DPC. I was actually just going to stop the step about 50mm from the wall as the wooden sill over hangs anyway so it will just sit below the sill. I was thinking that would save me any damp problems...

+ feb? What's feb?

[m3jappa]

Olf said:

Autonotiv said:

Just make sure the top of the step is 150mm (ish, could get away with 100mm) below the DPC.

5 Sand : 1 Cement + Feb, will be fine for the morter.

Just remember when knocking it up you can allways add water but not take it away.

Okay about the DPC. I was actually just going to stop the step about 50mm from the wall as the wooden sill over hangs anyway so it will just sit below the sill. I was thinking that would save me any damp problems...

+ feb? What's feb?

feb= febmix or basically mortar plastersiser or washing up liquid if your pikey basically makes the cement more workable.

[D14 AYS]

Olf said:

+ feb? What's feb?

Feb-mix a mortar additive it makes the mortar ply-able and easier to use,Good luck.

Edited by D14 AYS on Sunday 21st September 20:43

[Autonotiv]

Olf said:

Autonotiv said:

Just make sure the top of the step is 150mm (ish, could get away with 100mm) below the DPC.

5 Sand : 1 Cement + Feb, will be fine for the morter.

Just remember when knocking it up you can allways add water but not take it away.

Okay about the DPC. I was actually just going to stop the step about 50mm from the wall as the wooden sill over hangs anyway so it will just sit below the sill. I was thinking that would save me any damp problems...

+ feb? What's feb?

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/61689/Building/Building-Chemicals/Febmix-Plus-Plasticiser-5Ltr

[B17NNS]

Olf said:

What's feb?

[Chrisgr31]

Why bother with the mortar? With the slab on top the bricks won't be going anywhere! It will easily last until you do the patio, and be easier to take apart when you get around to it!

[Olf]

Chrisgr31 said:

Why bother with the mortar? With the slab on top the bricks won't be going anywhere! It will easily last until you do the patio, and be easier to take apart when you get around to it!

I know what you're saying and I'm not going to use st loads - Just enough to hold it together.