Site Preparation and Trench Digging

What happens in this clip

Begin by clearing the designated area where the stairs will be built. Use a shovel to dig out the existing gravel and soil, creating a preliminary trench or excavation area. Mark out the precise dimensions for the concrete footers using a tape measure to ensure accuracy. Continue digging to create deeper trenches that will house the main body of the concrete footers, ensuring the base is relatively flat and clear of debris.

Goal: Excavate and prepare the ground for concrete footers

What's used

Tools

• Marking Paint or String Line
• Shovel
• Pickaxe (for harder ground)
• Tape Measure

About the full video

This project details the process of preparing the ground, setting up forms, and pouring fiber-reinforced concrete to create robust footers for a large set of outdoor stairs. The goal is to provide exceptional stability and ensure the stairs can withstand severe weather conditions like hurricanes and flooding.

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
   • 0:04–0:15 Site Preparation and Trench Digging (this video)
   • 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