It’s time for another Pro-Follow, and regular readers will recognize this as part of our ongoing series for building an in-law addition. We’re back with the guys from Luciano Cristofaro Contractors. You’ve already met Victor, and today we’re spending time with Victor’s brother Carlos as he pours a set of concrete stairs.

The opening for these stairs was cut out from the existing garage slab and dug with the backhoe during excavation. The block walls are new, and they were completed in a similar fashion as the rest of the foundation. After that the guys added backfill and dumped in some stone.

Step 1: Spread Stone

Carlos started by spreading out the bed of #2 stone.

Step 2: Measure and Layout Stairs

Using a 2′ level, Carlos began measuring out the stairs on the block wall. These stairs will measure 7-3/4″ (riser) x 11″ (tread) with a 1″ nosing. The nosing is important because it provides more room for the tread without elongating the stairs.

Pro-Tip: Stair risers must measure between 7 and 7-3/4″ high, and stair treads must measure between 10 and 11-1/4″ deep to comply with local code. Todd from Home Construction Improvement has a handy stair stringer calculator to help calculate stair measurements.

Pro-Talk: Stair risers are sometimes referred to as toe-kicks.

After mapping out the stairs on the right side, Carlos transferred the measurements to the left side.

Using a straight 2×4, a level and a square, Carlos made sure that all markings were consistent between each side.

Pro-Tip: These stairs will be indoors and are completely flat. If you’re pouring concrete stairs outside, incorporate a slight downward slope so that water will run off the stairs.

The top-most step is shorter than the rest, and that’s because Steve’s crew will be framing the floor, bringing that step up to the appropriate height.

Here’s a look at the finished layout for the stairs. The lines indicated with small arrows are parallel to the risers (offset 1-1/2″) and show where to mount the support blocks that will hold the forms in place.

Step 3: Build Forms

Carlos used a circular saw to rip a 2 x 10 down to 7-3/4″ tall. He made the cut at a 45° angle, because then it’ll be easier to work his trowel into the corner of the each step.

One of the guys also cut ~6″ blocks that will serve as the supports for the forms.

Step 4: Anchor Support Blocks

Carlos used concrete screws to attach the supports to the block wall.

Step 5: Secure Stair Forms

Next, Carlos and his crew attached the forms to the support blocks, checking that each form was completely level.

The guys also made sure there was about 4″ of clearance between the stone and the bottom of the forms.

Step 6: Rebar

Rebar is short for reinforcing bar, and is very important for many concrete applications. It’s not necessary for these stairs because there are concrete footers underneath the block walls and a the bottom of the steps. These stairs aren’t going anyway. However, if these stairs were positioned on unsupported ground, rebar would be very important.

Step 7: Mist Forms

Using a hose, the guys sprayed down the forms, walls, and rock to prevent the concrete from drying too fast.

Pro-Tip: Rubbing motor oil (or even cooking spray) over the forms helps prevent the concrete from sticking when it comes time to remove them.

Step 8: Pour Concrete

For this job, Carlos estimated needing about 2 yards of concrete, and they added retardant to prevent the concrete from drying too fast.

After each wheelbarrow of concrete, one of the guys would use a shovel to work the concrete around, eliminating voids.

Step 9: Strike Off Concrete

When all the concrete was poured, Carlos began using a magnesium float to strike off the concrete to create a relatively smooth surface.

He also checked that each step was perfectly level.

Here’s a picture of Carlos working the float underneath one of the forms. Carlos would also use a hammer to lightly bang on the forms to eliminate air bubbles.

Step 10: Cut the Edge

After about 25 minutes, Carlos repeated the process of smoothing the concrete and checking for level.

He also used an edger to bevel the edge of each step.

Step 11: Remove Forms

After about an hour, the concrete was hard enough to remove the forms.

Step 12: Finish the Concrete

Next, Carlos would check each step for level again and run the edger along the corner. After that, he used another float to finish the stair riser.

Small, dried bits of concrete were easy to scrape away or work into the surface of the concrete.

Lastly, Carlos used a foxtail brush to finish off each step and create some texture.

Pro-Tip: Concrete can become very slippery when wet. For that reason, many concrete finishes create some kind of texture to provide better traction.

Finished

Here’s a look at the finished stairs. They look great and should be useable within 24 hours.