More new content - ...steps this time

[Tony McC]

I seem to be on a bit of a creative surge at the moment, but actually it's because most of the design and project management work tails off over the Christmas break so I get the chance to catch-up on all the half-finished projects I started over the year.

So, dating back to 2004 (honestly - ask Ken!) I give you the building of a simple front door step on a block paving project.

[local patios and driveway]

Im gonna get shot down here big time but that step looks crap

[Carberry]

Im gonna get shot down here big time but that step looks crap

It does look crap, but paying client gets what paying client wants.

Every year I do a lot of work that I think looks terrible but clients love it and who am I to argue when they have to look at it all day and they're paying my wages.

[henpecked]

Im gonna get shot down here big time but that step looks crap

Nice and straight forward stuff, K.I.S.S. as they say

Could upload a few exemplary examples. LPAD? Would be nice to see a bit of contrast.

[Bob_A]

Are you sure you're are looking at the right one?

Before


After

Not the greatest but it doesn't look too bad to me.

[local patios and driveway]

The pointing is smudged, the super thin joints in the center, a little more thought you could have evened all the joint widths. And looks high in the center which is why im not a fan of bedding on wet mix rather than dry mix with a bond, i would happily say i wouldnt leave a step looking like that myself and shame on any of you guys that think that finish is acceptable for a pro.

[dig dug dan]

why did it need pointing? cant the blocks sit flush to one another?

[msh paving]

butt jointing looks for better than pointing like bricks, blocks are butt jointed there fore the blocks and kerbs will be inline to each other looks far better, for a radius step,radius kerbs can be bought look far better, alright may bit a bit more money but 100 times better

MSH

[bodgeitandscarper]

It's fit for purpose!

[local patios and driveway]

So was the old step....

[msh paving]

^^ so is a old pallet laid against the wall MSH

[lutonlagerlout]

not keen on red KDS :;):
if you butt joint the kerbs you need to silicon the backs to stop the KDS running out

pictures of steps required please!!

LLL

[mickg]

are you sure you want me to post photos of steps ?

[Tony McC]

I think there are some harsh and undeserved comments here.

The step was photo'ed a few hours after completion when the mortar jointing is still obvious. A week or two later, when I didn't get photies, the mortar was completely unnoticeable. The young builder was working under pressure, from both the client changing her mind, and having me watching his every move, so I'm sure that affected his workmanship.

The joint width wasn't perfect but then, the builder carrying out the work wasn't a regular step builder. I could have PhotoShopped them, but why cheat?

I chose this set of photies as a reasonable representation of the process. It was a job done almost a decade ago that has been cluttering-up my "To Do..." folder since then, and in all that intervening time, no-one else has volunteered to have themselves photo'ed or video'ed building a step. Last year, the number of requests for guidance on building a step was in the top 10, so I thought it was time to do something about it. Any of you condemning the work are more than welcome to put yourselves forward for an updated version....don't all rush forward at once!

The point remains: the construction principles illustrated were and are sound. The implementation could be better, but 9 years ago, this was considered a pretty reasonable job.

[henpecked]

Tony, I think you should take steps.........


(I'll get me coat):D