Although it can be tough to build a group of concrete steps it is mostly one of those project you may be happy you did. Building concrete steps is one of those jobs where you actually need to do it right. Anyone that has fought to climb steps that were uneven or cracked can testify to that.

The directions that follow will get you going on building concrete porch steps, which is a good project for an amateur. Your first task in this job is to learn the local building codes for entry steps. There’ll be certain dimensions which you will need to be in adherence to. In come places hand rails will have to be installed with entry steps.

When having a look at required dimensions it helps to know that risers are the vertical front of the step while the tread is the horizontal surface. You need to work out the total rise and run for your new entry steps. The rise is the distance from the edge of the porch to the ground. The run is the space between the foundation and the area where the 1st step will start.

Usually a step riser will be around 7.25 inches high. You can figure out how many steps you will need if you divide your total rise by this number. Treads are usually around eleven inches wide. Multiply this number by the amount of steps and you will know how some distance from the house the steps will measure. These measurements will be needed to place concrete footings and lay gravel.

The depth of your footings will be set by your local building code. You may then need to build forms for the stairs using plywood using the step measurements as your guide. The forms should be placed on top of your footing and have to be level. You can use stakes to hold the forms securely prepared.

When pouring your concrete you must start at the bottom of the steps. Follow the instructions offered by the concrete manufacturer for mixing your concrete. Wait at least twenty minutes between each step. You will remove the forms and buff the surfaces once the concrete has set. Read more about making beautiful concrete steps.