By: Marl

Marl — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:25:40 +0000

I have to put ONE step outside my back door to the driveway but it’s not level. The driveway slops down. How do I level this board and attach it to the driveway??

By: tony

tony — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:59:46 +0000

i am looking for somthing to put over a wooden deck. Is there a product to lay over a worn deck? Like a thin covering. I do not really wany oudside green carpet.

By: Charles Draper

Charles Draper — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:31:05 +0000

Just a few things: 1) Never attach the ledger board to the house without the use of a few galvanized flat washers between the board and house where the bolts go through. i.e., One washer directly under the bolt-head, and then two washers between the house and ledger board. Drainage must occur between the house and wood, or there will be future “problems” of one sort or another. 2) Very few houses are perfectly level, and the exterior steps should be off-level just a tad (approx. 1/16” to 1/8” per lineal ft.) This is never noticed, nor is it dangerous, but does allow for most of the rainwater to drain off the steps. 3) Don’t just “nail” the stringers to the “anchor” board… screw them on, or better yet… use mini-joist hangers for the strength needed. Don’t forget, there is no “ramset” board at the bottom of exterior steps, unless you install one. (I certainly don’t see one on the steps here) By the way, just what in the devil are the stringers, and bottom riser sitting on… the dirt? That’s a direct path for water to wick up. There should “at least” be some bricks for them to sit on!
Chaz / A Pro Builder

Comments on: Building Exterior Steps

By: Marl

By: tony

By: Charles Draper