How to Form Concrete Steps Down a Steep Hill

Building the Concrete Steps

• 1

  Spray-paint the area of the hill where you want to build the steps. Space the lines the width of the steps plus one foot.

• 2

  Excavate the area between the spray-painted lines with a 1 1/2-ton excavator. Dig into the ground along the base of the area until you're 6 inches beneath the ground at the base of the hill.

• 3

  Smooth the soil in the bottom of the hole with a rake, and tamp it down to compact it.

• 4

  Pour a 4-inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the hole. Rake the gravel smooth, then tamp it.

• 5

  Cut the wood for the form for the steps out of 1/2-inch plywood boards. The back panel of the form will match the width of the steps and the height of the back edge of the steps. The two identical side panels are cut so that they resemble steps when viewed in profile. Follow your local building codes to determine the height of each step. Cut risers out of the plywood that are the same width as the steps, and are the same height as a single step. Wear safety goggles when sawing the wood.

• 6

  Nail one of the side panels of the form to each side of the back panel, then nail the risers into position across the front edge of the steps. Brush a thin layer of motor oil onto the inside edges of the form. The oil prevents the concrete from sticking to the form, making it easier to remove. Place the form into position on top of the gravel, centering it so that there is 6 inches of space on each side.

• 7

  Mix a batch of concrete, following the instructions on the packaging.

• 8

  Pour the concrete into the form, starting at the bottom step and working toward the back of the form. Tap a shovel on the sides of the form and work it around inside the concrete as you do the pour, to remove air bubbles trapped inside. Fill the form until the concrete sits slightly above the top edges to ensure that it's completely filled.

• 9

  Smooth the surface of the concrete by dragging a 2-by-4 board across the top of each step. Allow the concrete to set long enough that it can hold its shape without the form supporting it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding this time period.

• 10

  Remove all of the riser boards from the form, except for the one at the bottom step.

• 11

  Glide a finishing trowel over the concrete, using circular motions, to smooth it and draw moisture from the concrete out to the surface.

• 12

  Smooth the front corners of the steps by running a step trowel over them, then add texture to the treads -- the part you step on -- with a wood float. This helps provide traction when the steps get wet.

• 13

  Cover the concrete with plastic sheathing for five to seven days as it cures. Once a day, remove the sheathing to add water to the concrete to keep it damp, then re-cover it.

• 14

  Remove the form after the concrete has cured, then backfill the soil around the steps to remove the gaps between the steps and the hill.

Installing the Railing

• 15

  Place the railings onto the steps where you want to install them. Have an assistant hold them steady, if needed.

• 16

  Mark the holes on the bottom of the railings for the bolts onto the steps, then remove the railings.

• 17

  Drill holes into the steps where you marked the bolt holes. Use a hammer drill with a masonry drill bit. Wear safety goggles when drilling the holes.

• 18

  Remove the concrete bolts from inside the sleeve anchors, then slide the sleeve anchors into the holes in the steps. If you're having difficulty inserting them, tap them lightly with a hammer until they are flush with the concrete.

• 19

  Move the railings back into position on the steps, aligning the holes in the steps with the holes in the railings.

• 20

  Slide the bolts through the holes in the railings and into the sleeve anchors, and tighten the bolts. Don't overtighten the bolts, however, as you can break the sleeve anchors.

• 21

  Paint the heads of the bolts to match the railing.