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STEP CONSTRUCTION
CREATING STEPS
To construct steps, you will be required to apply principles used to build both walls and corners. When constructing steps with the Pisa systems, the standard or tapered units act as risers and the coping units act as treads. Steps can be created in a number of different configurations. In all cases, compaction is critical to the stability of the steps. The following are just a few examples.
This structure is simply a wall with an inside and an outside corner, and the courses of the wall between the two corner steps back at 12 inches (300mm) per course. After an entire riser is placed, the coping stone is then positioned on top and secured with Unilock Adhesive. Some trimming or chipping of the tongue on the outside corner will be necessary on each course. The next riser is then positioned so the face of the unit is in contact with the back of the coping stone on the lower step. All proper back-fill and compaction procedures must be followed. Be sure to place filter fabric along the back of the units to prevent wash out of the fill. For extra stability an extra course of units should be placed under the bottom step and adjacent walls.
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PROTRUDING STEPS
This structure is constructed in the same manner as the L-shaped steps, one course at a time. But, in this arrangement it is necessary to construct two inside corners and two outside corners. Each riser steps back 12 inches or 30 cm per course. With the side walls battering toward each other by ¾ inches (19mm) per course, each riser will be 1.5 inches (38mm) narrower than the course below.
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INSET STEPS
The risers in this type of step are best constructed so that they are independent of the side walls. The foundation for the side walls can be stepped up, but the side of the riser units must be in contact with the face of the units in the side wall. The second phase is to install the risers. The first units must be placed on the same foundation elevation as the side walls. A unit will have to be cut to make each riser fit between the side walls. All proper backfill and compaction procedures should be followed. Be sure to place filter fabric along the back of the units to prevent wash out of the fill. The coping is then cut, positioned, and secured with Unilock Adhesive. Successive courses are then placed. With the side walls battering away from each other by ¾ inches (19mm) per course, each riser will be 1.5 inches (38mm) wider than the course below. This spreading effect can be eliminated by cutting ¾ inches (19mm) off the back side of the tongue on every unit placed in the side walls resulting in a vertical side wall. You should use Unilock Adhesive on these units.
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STEPS WITH LANDINGS
The construction of steps with landings is no different from the construction of steps without landings except for positioning of the higher steps. Once the first step is installed lay a few pavers in the appropriate pattern to determine the best position of the next riser. This will eliminate any cut pavers. Be sure that the pavers will be ½" below the height of the coping when resting on the base so that the pavers will finish at the appropriate height after 1" of screed sand is placed. Repeat this procedure as required
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CORNERS
OUTSIDE CORNERS
Note that the corner unit is manufactured as a left and right unit. Both must be used to create an interlocked corner.
Place units on one course leading to the corner. Position a corner unit so both rough faces will be exposed in the final construction. Place standard units on one course leading to the corner. Position a corner unit so both rough faces will be exposed in the final construction. Place standard units on the same course of the adjacent wall. Place a corner unit from the other direction on the next course to interlock the corner. Place more standard units to complete the course on both walls. Repeat as required.
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INSIDE CORNERS
Inside corners are required where two walls intersect, each wall having a different direction, and the angle between the faces is less than 180 degrees.
Start the installation by placing units on one course leading to the corner. Place a corner unit so that the small face will be hidden behind the final construciton. On all corner units, it may be necessary to smooth out the split face within 8 inches (200mm) of the end. Place standard units as shown. The back of these units will extend 4 inches (100mm) past the end of the corner unit. Place a corner unit from the other direction ont he next course to interlock the corner. Place more standard units to complete the course. Repeat as required.
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