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We have demolished original cobble stone front steps and have discovered there is no foundation.

We will rebuild steps with cobblestone and fieldstone treads. How do we build a foundation for the new steps? Do the steps and foundation need to be secured to the house with tie rods?

Thank you!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Janehay,

I have seen steps built with, and with out foundations...(It depends on the soil condition).

Since you didnt have a foundation, lets assume that you have a good soil compaction of clay or you may already have good solid rock under it and not notice it for the film of dirt on top of it.

Now, to anchor the steps, some people just drill into the concrete walls and put anchor sinkers and lag bolts in and then proceed to incorporate them into the mortar and brick of the steps, thus they wont pull away. (I would use enough, maybe two on top and two near the bottom, depending on how large the steps are).

It maybe that your 'earth' isnt moving, and you may not need to anchor it to the building, but, I would do so anyways...never hurts to be 'sure'.

Others should have better opinions than I do...

If you;re located where the ground freezes it isn't a good idea to attach the masonry and concrete steps to the foundation unless they're sitting on deep foundatons too. If your weather doesn't freeze the ground attaching the steps to the foundation will be ok.

We are getting ready to pour 3 sets of steps here. Two are single steps and one is 3 steps on a 48" square base. My "concrete guy" plans on attaching them to the foundation. Frost depth here is 20". He has dug down 12" for the base.

JDn, what is the problem with attaching them in cold areas? That the ground could heave the steps against the foundation and cause it to crack? (Our foundation is 8" block with filled cores.)

Would the entire base need to be dug down below frost depth to avoid this or just dig a few post holes?

Alternatively, if they is not attached, should an expansion joint be placed between the steps and the foundation?

Should there be an expansion joint where the sidewalk meets the steps? I have some foam "zip strip" (I think thats the name) that I can use.

Thanks.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mike in Indiana,

I have seen where a set of poured concrete steps were built on shallow footings and tied directly into the foundation wall just at the top of the wall. The steps were heaved by frost. The foundation broke in long curve reaching from corner to corner of the houe. When the outer edge of the steps was lifted by frost the wall broke because the steps were very well attached to the foundaton. I could see daylight through the entire length of the crack.

IF the poured step foundaton goes below frost I don't think there will be a problem. Otherwise the steps shouldn't be directly tied into the foundation. The steps can be supported by the house foundation but allowance must be made for movement of the steps.