Prepare Stair Base and Pour Concrete Pad

What happens in this clip

Attach a pressure-treated 2x4 to the front edge of the deck, ensuring it is level and securely fastened. This 2x4 will serve as the attachment point for the stair stringers. Next, create a concrete pad for the base of the stairs. Dig a rectangular trench, approximately 6 inches deep and the desired width/length for the stair landing area. Construct a wooden form using 2x4s to outline the concrete pad, ensuring it is level and square. Add a layer of gravel within the form for drainage and stability. Lay wire mesh reinforcement within the form before pouring the concrete. Mix Quikrete concrete in a wheelbarrow to a consistent, workable texture. Pour the concrete into the form, spreading it evenly and leveling it with a screed board. Use a concrete float to smooth the surface, then allow it to cure. Once cured, carefully remove the wooden form boards.

What's used

Tools

• Concrete Float
• Framing Nailer
• Level (Empire)
• Measuring Tape
• Screed Board
• Shovel

Materials

• Construction Nails
• Gravel
• Pressure-Treated 2x4 Lumber
• Quikrete Concrete Mix Quikrete
• Wire Mesh Reinforcement

About the full video

This project details the complete process of replacing old concrete front steps with a new, durable composite deck and stairs. It covers concrete demolition, foundation preparation with footings and a ledger board, constructing the deck frame, installing the composite decking, building and installing new concrete base for stairs, cutting and attaching stair stringers, installing composite stair treads and risers, and finally, installing a PVC railing system.

Step 1 of 10: Excavate Area

Using a shovel and tape measure, mark out a rectangular area at the base of the deck stairs. The dimensions should be approximately 2 feet wide by 3 feet long. Excavate this area to a depth of at least 6 inches to allow for the concrete pad and a gravel base for drainage and stability. Ensure the excavated area is level.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Pour a Concrete Landing Pad for Deck Stairs

1. Step 1: Excavate Area

   • 13:17–15:33 Prepare Stair Base and Pour Concrete Pad (this video)
   • 0:04–0:15 Site Preparation and Trench Digging
   • 4:20–8:36 Prepare & Pour Concrete Pad

2. Step 2: Install Formwork

   • 2:04–2:33 Build and Position Concrete Form
   • 0:33–0:47 Formwork Installation
   • 0:00–0:34 Lay Out and Assemble Initial Form Boards

3. Step 3: Add and Compact Gravel Base

   • 2:21–2:33 Add & Compact Basecourse
   • 3:15–4:05 Lay and Compact Gravel Base
   • 0:20–0:38 Prepare Gravel Base

4. Step 4: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

   • 2:45–3:06 Add Steel Reinforcement (Rebar)
   • 1:30–1:40 Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement
   • 5:41–6:46 Rebar Placement for Reinforcement

5. Step 5: Mix and Pour Concrete

   • 0:30–0:42 Pour and Level Concrete
   • 3:10–3:41 Pour and Screed Concrete
   • 1:58–2:31 Mix and Pour Concrete

6. Step 6: Screed the Concrete

   • 0:04–0:13 Screed the Concrete
   • 0:24–1:01 Screed the Concrete Surface
   • 0:17–0:45 Screed the Concrete Surface

7. Step 7: Float the Concrete

   • 0:16–0:25 Float the Concrete Surface
   • 0:44–0:46 Hand Float Concrete Surface
   • 1:15–1:29 Float Concrete

8. Step 8: Finish the Concrete

   • 0:07–0:11 Trowel for Smooth Concrete Finish
   • 10:04–11:22 Final Troweling and Finishing
   • 3:30–4:49 Concrete Floating and Troweling

9. Step 9: Cure the Concrete

   • 2:08–2:39 Cure Concrete
   • 0:57–0:59 Cure Concrete and Remove Forms
   • 5:50–6:12 Cure the Concrete

10. Step 10: Remove Formwork

    • 8:43–10:04 Remove Form and Backfill
    • 4:03–4:08 Remove Formwork
    • 0:52–0:54 Remove Formwork