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Front Door Steps..

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  • 08-09-2010 8:50pm
    #1
    everybody
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭


    HI..
    Our house is complete but I need to install steps at the front and rear doors.. Can I mix these from building sand/cement or do I need coarse aggregate mixed in??
    I have both building and plastering sand but nothing coarser on site, I was hoping not to spend more money with 4-5 ton of sand here already :o

    Advice appreciated


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    #2
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,236 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    the main access to the dwelling should be sloped to allow for access for people with disabilities....

    the best way to do this, and NOT end up with a ramp is to slope the groundworks around the front door up to a 1200 sq level platform.... i find paving bricks give the best finish.... a little design here can really set a house off....


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    #3
    troyh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭troyh


    Yea, you really need to make them up in concrete if you are going to "cast" the steps. I agree with sydthebeat that Paving bricks are a good looking alternative to concrete and pretty easy to install with a little TLC


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    #4
    De.Lite.Touch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 126 ✭✭De.Lite.Touch


    I wonder how many self builds have approaches that comply with Part M?

    http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,1655,en.pdf

    - De.lite.Touch


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    #5
    everybody
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭everybody


    OK so... lets pretend I'm Sean Fitspatrick or Sean Quinn, now that we've established that regulations don't apply to me...

    If I can't get away with a sand/cement mix... Can I add stone to what I have to make a coarser mix?? what would I need to add

    Out of curiosity...what would go wrong with a sand/cement mix, would it wear quickly ??


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    #6
    FesterBeatty
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 406 ✭✭FesterBeatty


    If you mix sand/cement/water you'll get a weak grout, you wont get concrete. Concrete is made of sand/cement/water/aggregate. Without it you will have no aggregate interlock to bond the concrete together and the corners will spall away, the surface will crack, and in cold weather the problems will get worse...then in 5 years time you'll come back to this post, break out the step and do it again, properly! :p

    As an engineer I'd also recommend that you install a sheet of A142 anti crack mesh 40mm below the finished surface - might cost you 25 quid extra!


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    #7
    No6
    Registered Users Posts: 2,489 ✭✭✭No6


    and when you are finished pretending you are sean fitzpatrick or sean quinn you might consider how you will comply with the building regulations and actually do that instead. Co Council enforcement officers and underemployed area planners are making themselves vey busy these days looking for things to enforce, dont be one of them!!!


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    #8
    De.Lite.Touch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 126 ✭✭De.Lite.Touch


    You might also check the size of the downstairs loo complies.

    [I *know* its off-topic mods but he should be told about this]

    De.Lite.Touch


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    #9
    Mellor
    Registered Users Posts: 39,140 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    De.Lite.Touch wrote: »
    You might also check the size of the downstairs loo complies.

    [I *know* its off-topic mods but he should be told about this]

    De.Lite.Touch
    I happy to let that slide, if he wasn't aware* the access needs to comply with part M, then its worth mention the WC at this point,


    *i'll ignore the pretending going on earlier,


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