New bluestone patio, 1st step, literally

[jhb]

Hello all, I am about to embark on my 3rd DIY patio install but have a question about a granite step. The patio will be two steps below the entrance to the house and I want to use a 36"x7"x 6' pad for the step. The quarrie told me the granite will weigh in at 1700lbs, and that if i do not want it to settle, I should pour a proper footing and foundation. Well, as luck would have it, the house is built directly on ledge, so I do not need a footing, just a foundation.

I plan to build a cinderblock wall and pin it to the ledge. This wall will be 5 feet wide and about 30 inches out from the house foundations (about 6 inches smaller than the granit step).

Question is, what size rebar should I use to pin the blocks? 1/2 inch, or heavier?

Should I build a 3rd wall from the house foundation wall to the front of the foundation in the middle of the outerwalls? I am not sure if I need additional support for the step in the middle. I plan to fill the foundation with soil so it won't heave over time.

What slope should I build for the top course? I think 1/4 inch per foot is too steep (3/4 inch total). Maybe just 1/4 inch overall?

Last, and the biggie, how would I move this monster block. It is clearly too big for my BX23. Maybe fork lift bars on a bobcat or something? Not sure about how to do this just yet, so suggestions would be appreciated.

[jhb]

Wow, no takers huh?

I was rethinking this, is it easier to build a cinderblock wall or create forms and pour? I have no tools to mix mass amounts of concrete, and I beleive there is a minimum for a concrete delivery, which I do not think I would meet.

[EddieWalker]

I've read your post a few times and still haven't figured it out. I'm not picturing it in my mind, so I'm unsure how to proceed.

There are a few things that I'd suggest.

You slope for the steps should be around 5% for good water run off. I usually go a little under that and drop half an inch per foot. For your three foot step, I think an inch and a half should work.

Moving it can be really expensive cause you will have to rent something to do so. Not sure of rates in your area, but at the minimum a bobcat with a bucket and hooks. I'd say an offroad forklift would be best, or a tractor with a FEL rated at 2,000 pounds would work.

When you say the house is built on a ledge, is that a large rock? If so, then all you need to do is drill some half inch holes into it, epoxy the rebar into it and pour some concrete. The rebar will hold it in place.

If you need smaller loads then the minimums, usually 4 yards, try the rental stores. I can get a one yard trailer for around $85 a yard.

I'd build up forms for the pour. If you use cinderblocks, you will still need to pour a foundation for them anyway.

Have you considered using a row of retaining wall blocks for you steps? One row across, fill the void with sand and place the rock. It's so heavy it wont move anyway.

In fact with all that weight, I dont' think I'd worry too much about that stone moving or you needing to tie it into anything.

Hope this helps,
Eddie




Are you abosolutely positive you want a step that large?

You should be able to find much smaller ones that will be easier to work with, lighter and cheaper.

I've never worked with bluestone, but I'm thinking it's similar to flagstone. If so, there's plenty available in two inch thickness in managable sizes.

[jhb]

Sorry for the confusion my description caused.

The house foundation is poured directly on rock. My entire property is basically one big rock with about 3- feet of soil on top. Drainage is an issue, as you can imagine.

The step is granite, and the drop from the house to the terrace will be 14 inches, thus one 7" step will suffice.

I was going to make a single blue stone step, but I talked my wife into the granite pad, and then when I found out how hard it will be to install, I could not talk her out of it.

I attached a picture which was my orginal inspiration.

I was thinking about not building a foundation, but I really do not want to surround it with stone and have it settle, this needs to be permanent, thus the desire to build a foundation.

I was thinking cinderblock because it would be easy for me to do, but I may just build forms and pour it. I was going to buy one of those 200.00 cement mixers anyway for building stone walls, might as well get it now.

As for the foundation question, I was trying to convey that I wanted to create a U shaped wall against the house foundation. This would support the granite.