External rendered steps? Strengthen?

orangepeel · Post by **orangepeel** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 6:38 am

Morning all

We have various low external walls that merge with steps to the upper part of our split level garden.

Don't shoot me down here but Is there anyway we can render the walls and steps including the top of the treads? I know it won't have much compression/impact strength however, it will only get low foot traffic.

It's all constructed out of concrete block work and essentially we want the final look to be a little like cast concrete and we really dislike the look of coping on walls. I was going to give it a try with Tarmac OCR.

Could we add anything to the mix going on the treads to help? An additive, additional aggregate or even something like small gravel?! Would it be mad to install beading with the face in render then essentially a concrete mix on the treads?!

Thanks and I apologise if this seems ridiculous

Cheers all.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:35 am

For the steps, I would investigate resin bound gravel type finishes. It is tough, anti slip and gives you a degree of colour variation depending on the gravel selected. As for coping there is a reason for a cap and that is to prevent water ingress and expansion damage in sub zero temperatures. Have you seen road potholes lately?

DWD

orangepeel · Post by **orangepeel** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 10:20 am

That's an idea for the steps!

Looked at resin for things before but not thought about the steps.

Fully get the reason for coping but you do see so much where water has penetrated the mortar joints and caused water marks down the face of the walls. I just want to explore alternatives before I commit.

Thanks for the help.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 11:53 am

Lay paving slabs cut to size on the steps, even ceramic or quarry tiles, these could be second-hand.

Add waterproofer to the render, e.g. Feb Rendamix or Febproof, there are other brands available.

APDIY · Post by **APDIY** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 12:40 pm

Any possibility of some pix, plz?
I may have the same project to address.
T Y

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 2:01 pm

render on treads is not pet or child friendly so iff you have grandchildren or pets

orangepeel · Post by **orangepeel** » Sun Apr 02, 2023 6:01 am

APDIY wrote: ↑Sat Mar 25, 2023 12:40 pm Any possibility of some pix, plz?
I may have the same project to address.
T Y

Sorry for the late reply, work took over.

Here's a pic.

: PXL_20220325_064831869.MP.jpg (282.86 KiB) Viewed 2368 times

[/img]

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:04 am

There's a degree of practicality as well as aesthetic appearance needed here. I would use the slabs and cut sections to fit the steps so you get a uniformity. You can stick a non slip strip on the step edges for safety when wet. I would continue the cut the slabs to make sections for coping stones for the rest to make the look inclusive. You want it to look nice not a mish mash of styles.

DWD

APDIY · Post by **APDIY** » Mon Apr 03, 2023 8:33 am

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:04 am . You can stick a non slip strip on the step edges for safety when wet.

DWD

Some non slip strip is just what may solve one of my problems. Details, please?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:28 am

You can get a roll of anti slip tape external use for £12 to £20 on Amazon. It will normally stick well onto most smooth surfaces. I put some on a relative's quarry tiled step and it has worked very well preventing slips.

DWD