Pouring a footing for a segmental block step

[Stonehenge]

Anyone ever do it?

We just did. We have a client that we completed a good deal of retaining wall and paver work in the front, moved to the back to work on that, and overnight we got 6" of rain. With the eavestrough layout, a good deal of the water from the roof spilled over the troughs and onto our step area.

Now we used our BP 4545, with it's 9600 pounds of compaction, but it was not match for the 6" of rain. Overnight the thing settled 2". Knowing this trend would likely continue, we tore the steps out, excavated more, packed the bejesus out of the stone again, then drilled holes in the foundation and inserted 1/2" rebar, and poured a 4" slab for the block to sit on. :const:

I'm hoping that any additional settling that is bound to happen will not affect the steps.

I'm even thinking about making this a standard practice for steps at new homes.

Anyone else try this? Did it work?

[diginahole]

Just did that a few weeks ago as a matter of fact, although I just mixed some portland into the gravel. Just used a weak mix about 10 gravel to 1 portland. I mainly did it because we were building 4 steps high and couldn't get the tamper in easily but the aim was the same. I tried to drive a stake through a few days later, and it was good and hard already.

[diginahole]

Here's the steps.... I filled them with the weak concrete too.

Not designed by me in case you were wondering. :rolleyes:

[jwholden]

Digin,

You do some nice work!:D

[diginahole]

Why thank you. :)

[Stonehenge]

I do like the lamp - gives it a familiar, urban feel.

Did they want to do the softscape themselves?

[diginahole]

Actually this job was designed and sold by another contractor. We just subbed the brick work and he planted it up the next day. Helped me out on a slow week and helped him out getting caught up from and empoyee absence.

Because the steps were built from Allan block and I have seen so many Allen block failures I thought that filling with concrete would offer a durable yet economical solution. We shall see, my 5 year guarantee still applies.

[jwholden]

If I may be so bold,

How long did a job like that take you and with how many helpers?

Always trying to gauge where I should be on paver installs.