If the remainder is less than 12 inches, you may need to change your plan.
Be sure you know and understand the codes prior to beginning planning concrete steps.
If you don’t construct them according to code, a building inspector can make you tear them out.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Drive stakes to indicate where the base of the bottom step will be when poured.
Compute the unit rise and run of the steps, and draw a dimensioned sketch.
Round up fractional results to the nearest whole number.
Then divide the total rise again by this number to get the unit rise.
20 inches/3 steps = 6.6 inches.
In this example, you’ll need three steps 6-5/8 inches high to climb 20 inches.
However, a tread depth of 16 inches would probably feel too long.
Lay Out Footings
Lay out footings 3 inches wider than the steps.
The top of the rebar should be about 2 inches lower than the finished height of the steps.
Let the footings cure, then dig a 4-inch trench between them and fill it with tamped gravel.
Some local building codes may require that you anchor concrete steps to the foundation wall.
Draw the line for the landing so it slopes 14 inch per foot.
verify the forms are plumb andlevel with each other, then fasten them to the stakes with 2-inch screws.
Cut off any portion of the stakes above the forms.
Fasten the top riser form to the outside of the side forms with three 2-inch screws.
Then drop in the remaining riser forms.
Then drive 2x4 stakes at the bottom of the braces.
Plumb the side forms and fasten the braces to the stakes.
Lay a 2x6 on the risers and fasten it to the stake and to cleats attached to the risers.
Attach an expansion strip to the foundation with construction adhesive.
Forms for perpendicular steps go together in essentially the same way the straight concrete steps do.
Measure from this line to position the plywood forms for the rear and side.
Then fasten the diagonal brace to the house and foundation and the risers to cleats.
Brace the front edge of the risers as you would a straight stairs.
Wire perpendicular lengths of rebar across the first pieces.
Then raise the rebar up and support it on dobies or balusters that you wire to the rebar.
Mix and Fill with Concrete
Before pouring concrete steps, coat the forms with a release agent.
Mix the concrete and bring it to the site in wheelbarrow loads.
Shovel the concrete inside the forms, starting with the bottom step and working up.
Give the concrete enough time to settle between the rubble pieces, and add more concrete if needed.
This helps minimize chipping.
Use a step trowel (a drywall corner knife works as well) to work the corners smooth.
Broom the treads to roughen the surface, let the concrete cure, then load the railing.
After 12 to 24 hours, remove the side forms and fill in any voids in the concrete.
