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Installation
Guide:
The most common way to build steps is to
build them within a wall system:
1. Begin your project by staking out the
border of the wall you are going to build,
including where you would like your steps.
Using a shovel or a skid loader, dig a trench
along this line. If you are going to use
one, two or three courses of block, make
the trench deep enough to bury half of the
first course of block plus 6" (150mm)
for the compactable base. If you are going
to use four or more courses of block, make
the trench deep enough to bury the first
full course of block plus 6" (150mm)
for the compactable base. Firmly compact
the soil in the bottom of the trench.
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2. To
prepare your base, lay 6" (150mm) of
compactable aggregate (sand and gravel)
in the bottom of the trench and compact.
We recommend using 3/4" minus aggregate
with fines for your base material. Quick
tip: Spread a thin layer of sand over your
base. This will make it easier to level
your first course of block.
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3. Before
placing your first course of block, use
your hammer and chisel to remove the rear
lips from all blocks used for the first
course. Position the Anchor blocks and step
units side by side, in full contact with
the prepared base, and level in both directions
using your carpenter's level.
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4. Remember, if the
wall is one, two or three courses high,
half of the first course must be buried.
If the wall is four or more courses high,
the entire first course must be buried.
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5. After
each course of block is laid, you must backfill
your wall. First, shovel free draining aggregate
directly behind the new course of blocks,
extending out about 12" (300mm). We
recommend using 3/4"(19.1mm) aggregate
with no fines. We do not recommend using
pea gravel. As a general rule, the backfill
zone should extend as far behind the wall
as the wall is high. For example, one foot
back for a one foot high wall (300mm back
for a 300mm high wall). Next, compact this
backfill zone.
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6. To begin the second
course of your steps, place the step units
in a staggered relationship to the previous
course. The face of the step units should
overlap the previous course by 1 to 2"
(38mm - 51mm).Extend the step units through
the wall. Adhere the front of the stepunits
with a concrete adhesive.
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7. To
begin the second course of your wall, place
a block near the second course of steps
in a staggered relationship to the course
beneath (running bond). Measure and split
a block to fit the space remaining between
the step unit and the second course of your
wall. Remove the rear lip on the blocks
when necessary and angle the blocks flush
with the face of the previous course, making
sure that the vertical edges of the block
are flush with both the step and the standard
block. Adhere in place with a concrete adhesive.
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8. Complete the second
course of the wall. Repeat these steps following
proper wall construction procedures until
the wall is finished. Remember - it is very
important to backfill and compact behind
andalong the sides of each course of the
step units and the wall.
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9. It
may be necessary to use partial units to
maintain running bond.To split a block,
use a hammer and chisel to score the block
on all sides. Pound the chisel along the
score line until the block splits. If the
block does not split easily, you may need
to use a circular cut-off saw with a masonry
blade. Read and understand the operating
manualbefore using a saw. Always wear eye
protection when splitting blocks. Alternate
the position of partial units every other
course and always adhere with a concrete
adhesive.
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10. Repeat these steps
until your wall is complete.
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