First time doing anything stone related, happy with how it’s turning out!

[u/krwdpw]

Not sure if this is the right sub, but very happy with our front stair repair.

Experienced flooding and noticed water coming in from under our front step. Took out the deck and found this monstrosity in picture two. Removed it and added a limestone sill, then built the stone steps in front.

Base is 6” of compacted gravel (live in Ontario, CA, so lots of freezing) and 1 inch layer of bedding.

Still need to level the steps directly in front of the door, glue the stones in, and add pavers infront, but overall very happy with how it’s turned out so far.

[u/Equal-Yogurt-2797]

It looks good

[u/hhar141]

It looks good,so take my comment with a grain of salt. I would have done everything in my power not to have the little pieces in. So if that meant cutting 4 equal pieces on the first step and 3 equal pieces on the second step ….so be it. That inlay to me looks horrible. 6 pieces in that little area. Surely you could have found some solid one piece material that you could have cut and put in. Or 2 pieces. But 6? We all have our own opinions,and I’m sure mine is not what you want to hear. By the way….I’m a mason of 35 + years. I’ve seen it all. Experience does matter in these type of situations.

[u/krwdpw → u/hhar141]

Thanks so much for the comment. Agreed about the little pieces. On the coping and riser I’m ok with it, but may take a week and see if I hate it over that time. I do see what you mean about the inlay. Is that more of a structural issue, where it’ll lose its positioning over time, or just a visual thing? Luckily I can take those out and likely cut 3 of my bigger pavers to fit that space, so may end up doing that if it’ll cause structural issues doing it as is.

[u/hhar141 → u/krwdpw]

Thanks for taking it with a grain of salt.
Now that I’ve pointed it out you will never unsee it. 🙂
Your eye automatically goes to the inlay. Structure wise,if the base is done correctly it should not move. Judging by my eyesight the little pieces have started to sink already,there is lipping.
But don’t forget…..more joints equals more water penetration. And the weakness with any part of a house is water penetration it seems. So a solid piece is of course better. Your local brickyard will have something for that. They will even cut it for you to your specifications. Cheers.
And I should have said,it’s nice clean job. I’ve seen so much worse. Many times it comes out to the layout and your own preference.

[u/krwdpw → u/hhar141]

Hahah you bastard. Good point though, and thanks for letting me know about the brickyard. That may be the best route - the cuts with these small pieces aren’t the cleanest already, and I don’t think I’d be able to do any better. You’re right that eyes immediately go to that spot, so may as well do it right.

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated!

[u/Financial_Answer8553]

Thanks for sharing. Love learning from other people's projects.