How to Apply Pavers to Concrete Steps

Professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike use pavers to create dramatic, harmonic designs on the exterior of a home or business. This versatile and cost-effective building tool provides you with a means of creating new construction such as a drive or walkway; you can also install pavers over existing concrete steps to create a fresh new look.

Things You'll Need

• Pavers
• Masonry adhesive
• Masonry wheel grinder
• Wet saw
• Dry sand
• Broom
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Prepare the existing concrete steps by grinding down any uneven surfaces, ragged edges or high spots with a masonry wheel grinder. Sweep away all debris. Apply an acid-based concrete cleaner to the entire surface. Rinse completely, and let dry.

2. Cut riser units---the vertical portion of each step on a staircase---to size for veneering existing concrete steps. Miter the corner pieces. Apply masonry adhesive to the back of the riser unit and press it into place, ensuring the riser unit sits level with the top of the adjoining step. Apply masonry adhesive between the riser units, and repeat until you've completed the veneer on that level.

3. Inspect the pavers you plan to use for the tread units. Remove any loose material, burrs and bumps. Make sure you use flat tread pavers with uniform thickness. Cut corner pavers at a 45-degree angle. Cut pavers to allow for a 3/8-inch overhang.

4. Arrange several tread units on the step beginning with the mitered corner paver. Begin at the most visible corner, and allow a 3/8-inch overhang. Mark the rear edge of the tread units, and snap a chalk line. Using the chalk line as a guide, and beginning at the corner, apply masonry adhesive in an "S" pattern to the back of the mitered paver, and press into place. Repeat the process for the remaining tread units. Apply masonry adhesive between each tread unit.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the next step down. Maintain straight and true lines. Check frequently for evenness of height and straightness of edges. Insure the overhang maintains a 3/8-inch average.

6. Allow the masonry adhesive to dry thoroughly, which can take from 24 to 72 hours, depending on the temperature and other weather conditions. Apply dry sand to the tops of the pavers. Sweep the sand into the spaces between the pavers. Tap the pavers with a rubber mallet to help settle the sand in place.

References

• Concrete Network
• American Design & Contracting

Resources

• PaveTech