Tips for Building Curved Concrete Steps
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6-12 hours
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Beginner
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- 100-2,500
Curved Concrete Steps can be an aesthetically pleasing option to regular concrete steps. Building curved steps can be easier than you think, but there are a few tips that can make it a simple project. These tips will help you save time and money when building curved steps.
Tip 1 – Deciding and Preparing
You must first decide on the shape, location, and layering of the stairs. Once you’ve done this, use your shovel to dig out an area for your steps, keeping with your desired shape. If you are layering, make sure to dig out the first three steps larger so that the rest of the steps will fit properly.
Tip 2 – Don’t Forget to Measure
Measure and cut your forms to the appropriate height for the steps. If you decide to make your steps eight inches high, then the form will be cut accordingly. Use 8-inch concrete blocks to hold all of your forms in place.
Tip 3 – Use the Quick Drying Cement
Quick-drying cement is essential for building your stairs. Since the cement dries quickly, make sure you have it leveled inside your forms.
Tip 4 – Don’t Forget the Water
Make sure to add your water to each individual concrete layer. This will help keep the cement from cracking and breaking. It’s important to build each form as the previous form to remain consistent. Make sure to let the steps sit for the proper drying time.
Tip 5 – Piecing Together Your Forms
Cut your top sheets or forms a ½-inch larger to make up for being lower. To make forms larger than eight feet, you can join two larger pieces together by drilling and bolting them in place. Make sure the flat screw head is in the inside of the form when you do this.
Tip 6 – Making the Top Step
You can start off by making this step the same way you did your previous steps. Don’t forget to compensate for it being a ½-inch shorter by adding a ½-inch in height. You can end your top step with an apron so that it can extend to a patio easily.
Tip 7 – Using Sand Mix
Fill a 5-gallon bucket a third of the way full of water. Add your sand mixture into the water and use a drill mixer to mix it together. The mixture should be poured into the top sheet form until the form is completely full.
Also, Give your steps an edge by using the step tool. Then use a trowel to level the steps.
Tip 8 - Texture
So that the concrete doesn’t become slippery, you can texture the concrete with a broom, by making brush strokes in the cement. This is a very important tip to remember. Once you have your step looking the way you want it, let it sit for about 14 hours. After that, you can remove the form and start the process again to finish your other steps.
Tip 9 – Touch Ups
There may be some lines showing where the sheets were once positioned. You can touch up these areas by using hydraulic cement and brushing it onto the flawed area with a paintbrush.
Tip 10 – Your Material
If using fiberboard rather than sheeting, keep in mind that the board can expand and cause bulging.