Fill Steps with Gravel

What happens in this clip

Once the stair boxes are securely in place, fill each bay with gravel. If you have rocks on your property, it's recommended to use some of them to fill the front portion of each bay first; this will save on the amount of gravel you need to buy. The steps must be filled with gravel, not sand or dirt, because gravel allows for proper drainage and prevents weed growth, which extends the life of the wooden stairs. Gravel should ideally be purchased in bulk to save costs. This final phase of carrying gravel up the hill to fill each step is labor-intensive, so pace yourself and consider it an "exercise phase." For very long runs of stairs, such as a 100-step version, consider using the absolute longest 2x6 lumber available (typically 16 feet, but possibly longer locally) to minimize joints. If the angle of the hillside is too steep or there are obstacles that need to be avoided, you may need to decrease the angle and create switchbacks, which will require additional digging.

Goal: Fill stair bays with gravel for stability and drainage

What's used

Tools

• 5-gallon Buckets Gold Bond ProForm
• Shovel

Materials

• Gravel
• Rocks (from property)

About the full video

This project provides detailed instructions on how to build durable hillside stairs using pressure-treated lumber, stakes, and gravel. It covers everything from preparing the ground and cutting materials to assembling the stair boxes, securing them, and filling the steps, addressing common challenges like different soil types and steep angles.

Step 5 of 8: Fill Step with Gravel

Fill the remaining excavated area with gravel, bringing it up to the desired level of the step tread. Ensure the gravel is slightly higher than the retaining timbers to allow for settling and drainage. Compact the gravel in layers using a hand tamper or plate compactor to achieve a firm and level surface.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Fill Steps with Gravel
• Backfill Bays with Gravel