Replies

1. 
   Matt | Sep 06, 2005 01:33am | #1

   What is "ready rod"?  I'm guessing it is what we call all-thread?

   Re: >> My thought would be to dig holes a couple of feet apart (the new steps will be 6x6 timbers 4 feet long) and secure rerod or long ready rod in a couple of bags worth of quickcrete and then bury it up to the height of the timber.   Then I would drill the holes in the 6x6's and either set them on the rerod or secure them with countersunk washers and nuts.   << Sounds like a hard way to go about it to me.  I think it would be somewhat difficult to place the hardened concrete with rod sticking out of it in the right position/height to make every thing work out smoothly.  You said the the old ones were secured via rebar rods pounded through the rail road ties 4' into the sand.  What's wrong with doing it that way?  If you really want concrete in there, personally, I'd dig the holes and fill them with concrete, cover with sand or whatever, and then install the 6x6 and drive the rod down into the wet concrete.  The whole thing is a little hard for me to picture though since I don't have a clear idea of the "soil in the area".  Is it very find and granular such that if you want to dig a 4' deep hole it ends up being 4' wide or can you actually dig down more like in dirt?

1. 
   Abm | Sep 06, 2005 02:54am | #3

   I was thinking of running string lines at the outer edges (4 feet apart) and then using a power auger to make the holes where each timber would be placed, the same distance away from the outside edge. Then I could measure in and set my rerod or bolts where they need to be, but the holes in the timbers could be placed in exact locations if there is any variance (like setting the sill on a foundation). The old timbers are pretty much gone (rotting) and have moved some over the years. I have had to re-anchor some of them because there is nothing to act as an anchor (concrete) on the bottom of the rod. These steps run down a sand dune to the beach below, it is not an extremely steep slope. If I had my choice of things to do I would build a walkway/deck/stairs but the people don't want to spend that kind of money and have the maintenance issues associated with doing it this way.

1. 
   Matt | Sep 06, 2005 04:31am | #4

   Again - I think you will be making it hard on yourself by placing the rods first.  I too thought of the analogy of the anchor bolts and mud sills but it is the only example I can think of in homebuilding where the fasteners are placed before the lumber.

   Also, I like demon's idea of attaching the steps to one another...

    

   Edited 9/5/2005 9:51 pm ET by Matt

1. 
   b3lbittner | Sep 08, 2005 10:28pm | #7

   it might be easier to dig the holes, fill with dry quickcrete, place the steps, drive the rebar through the steps and into the quickcrete, saturate the area with water.

2. 
   Matt | Sep 06, 2005 04:54am | #5

   Here is a pic of one project I did.

2. 
   IMERC | Sep 06, 2005 07:44am | #6

   WTB he means rebar...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   Demon | Sep 06, 2005 02:37am | #2

   How long have the existing steps lasted? Have they shifted out of place due to the installation method, or are they weather deteriorated? If they've shifted and the original method of installation has proven to be the weak link, could a PT 2x6 be run along and timber-loced or ceramic screwed to the sides of the 6x6 to help keep them from shifting (almost like a stringer)?

   
   

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   Edited 9/5/2005 7:38 pm ET by Demon

3. 
   CapnMac | Sep 09, 2005 12:24am | #8

   One thing I've seen for beach/dune contruction (where no concrete is permitted) is to build the steps as a box.  This would be a square the width of the treads.  The first box goes in and is spiked to stakes driven in until they "catch."  Then the box is filled with sand to level, afterwhich the next step box goes in, either staked to the sand, or spiked to the previous one.

   Now, there is one other item, you're going from an 8, 8.5" wide RR tie to a 5 1/5" 6x6 step.  Back in the beforetimes, when I was learning such things, we were taught to make outdoor steps wider in both tread & riser sizes (or that we could).  So I have a slight (just slight) "concern" that you are making a narrower tread, if with a lower pitch, than was instaleld before.  May be nothing, just a detail that caught my attention--you are the one on site who can actually see these things.

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)