Building a Stone Stairway - The Great Outdoors

A stone stairway can provide a sturdy, long-lasting walkway; while adding a natural accent to your landscape. The stones used are very heavy- the project may require several people to complete.
Materials needed:
- Large pieces of flagstone (Number of stones is determined by number of steps)
- Bricks or other uniformly cut flat stones, for the risers
- NOTE: There is no mortar used in this stone stairway. The enormous weight of the stones will keep the stairway in place.
Tools needed:
- Spade and Shovel
- Level
- Plan your stairway. Determine the length your stairway needs to be. Approximate the number of stairs you will need. This will assist you in determining the number of stones and risers to purchase.
- Lay your first (or bottom) stone. When creating the steps, there are two important things to remember. First, be sure that your risers, as well as your stones are level. Secondly, be sure that the back of each step is setting securely on solid ground. You may have to shave off some soil to either level or secure the stones. The first step is the most important. If it is not level, the following steps will not be level. It is also a good idea to use two layers of bricks on the first step. This will provide additional support.
- Continue your steps upward. Be sure to keep steps level and supported as your ascend your slope.
- Double check steps for stability. After completing your stairway, check each step for wobble. Additional bricks can be used to level and steady wobbling steps.

[@FrostyTheSnowman12321]

IS THIS A *”WHAT * NOT * TO DO!”* VIDEO!? 😅

[@personalaccount4360]

Holy shit, that looks dangerous lol

[@wiedzminrivia8607]

That not only is ugly as shit, it looks extremely unsafe. Rain will wash away the dirt around those bricks and those flagstones and bricks will shift.

[@reaper-sz5tm]

That was my thoughts as well. I would have just used concrete pavers and gravel to irrigate for rain.

[@pumas2288]

😂

[@FrostyTheSnowman12321]

Glad I’m not the only one!

[@FrostyTheSnowman12321]

He’s talking about all this “firm / solid ground, no soft soil” . . . ALL I SEE IS NUTRIENT RICH / BROWN / *SOFT SOIL* ! 😅 NOT A SPEC OF CRUSH & RUN, WASHED SCREENINGS, GEO-TEXTILE FABRIC, NOTHING! NOTHING BUT DIRT! IT ALSO LOOKS “TALL, F@T, BUT SKINNY LEGS”, KINDA FUNKY LOOKIN’. . . ALMOST LIKE A BIG CHICK WITH A BODY BUILT LIKE A BUSTED CAN OF BISCUITS! 🫢🤭🫣

[@chrisbowman2719]

Unfortunately, in many regions, the lack of base beneath each stone would be very problematic within just a few heavy rainfall.

[@rhondasisco-cleveland2665]

I’m from the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, I got on 3 snakes in one evening a couple of weeks ago… you have all those gaps for snakes to lay in🤦🏻‍♀️. Do you really think that’s safe?

[@jimmys.8062]

Yes, I think you need to fill this in, at the very least. I was thinking snakes and critters will love their new home

[@bertharius9518]

The ugliest steps I've ever seen. And as for 'good solid ground' a good solid shower of rain would shift a lot of that soil. AND slabs should be very slightly pitched forward to allow water run-off. AND the irregular frontage of some of these steps should be cut to form a straight edge. AND...etc.

[@thewoodsystyle]

Agree with everything you have mentioned. Not very professional

[@emilgabl9069]

The stairs look unsteady and dangerous...

[@Multipotentialitis]

They can't be, they're on firm steady soil

[@Rakki_Haitatsu]

@@Multipotentialitis LOL

[@shipped_my_pants_3000]

​​@@Multipotentialitisexcept he replaced the Firm and steady soil with unanchored bricks without mortar sand or gravel

[@baddogentertainment6960]

Would still have liked to have seen some mortar holding bricks together (some looked very uneven and flimsy).

[@RPAS1234]

So did he dig it all out himself or was it his cameraman? His clothing looks surprisingly clean for a "day" on the tools.....lol

[@lauramarti7548]

Thanks for the tip on using bricks for the risers. I am building a flagstone stairway on my hill and will use this idea now.

[@tomharvey5466]

Looks bad. Too sloppy

[@Ghosty-Who]

firm solid ground

[@luatala8008]

I’m no handyman but even if I built this I wouldn’t pleased or satisfied . Looks ugly and steps aren’t anchored. I’m 128kgs , over time those slabs are going to move with me walking up and down them.

[@snm1718]

I love this, but I bet that Tennessee flagstone is expensive.

[@mb7536]

Seems like blocks the same thickness as two bricks would be more stable.

[@JoshuaCarvalho1]

Great video! Short and to the point. And the staircase is beautifully done!

[@albertobrody1979]

instablaster

[@Rakki_Haitatsu]

Is this a joke, because I'm Lmfao😆

[@temujinkhan6326]

Doesn't look good to me

[@PeanutsWoods]

Thanks for the excellent tips!! Nice job.

[@KJfreshh69]

Where do I get that stone at? I’m sure it’s a couple hundred per stone. 😑 guess I’m better off goin down to the creek, or stopping on the side of the interstate and loading up

[@captaincoyote1792]

I have a couple questions…..I live in western Massachusetts. Late fall through spring,we get winter….and particularly in spring, we get freeze/thaw cycles until full spring (mid to late April). My concern….wouldn’t I need to add a layer underneath (sand and stone dust) to prevent movement while upper soil layers thaw, then refreeze? Also, what am I missing regarding the importance of providing a “bull nose”? It seems to me, leaving that “lip” over the tread is in itself a tripping hazard. That Tennessee stone is gorgeous. Here, I’d probably use Goshen stone. Nice video, beautiful steps!

[@raysstudio970]

at least add some construction adhensive.

[@benjaminfreeman8111]

Haha "if not, you'll trip on these stairs for the rest of your life"

[@monicageorgson4870]

I wouldn’t want to hit my head on the edge of one of those

[@yeager6882]

OMG! The danger!

[@johncruser9853]

Good luck finding stones the exact same thickness.

[@jaytoole3181]

Do not do this. Do not do this. Not a good idea.

[@sethriddle3684]

I like this idea. Is there a way to add stairs to the bottom if you don’t start low enough?

[@hillaryboles3235]

"firm solid ground"

[@barbarawarren9443]

Wow - thank you!

[@lHurtYourFeeIings]

Don't be lazy, fill up the base with dirt at least. Two three people standing on the middle will crack the stones. Also stones are very expensive...

[@johnalexander-d5d]

agree! pea gravel and sand should be added as fill under the stones