Hi y'all. I want to build (or have built) stairs next to a 7' retaining stone wall and am looking for some how-to plans. I'm assuming I'll have approx 12 to 13 steps and I want it free standing so there is no weight on the existing wall. Example questions are: Is it a good idea to support the stairs with a cement block wall? If so, how deep and wide should my footings be? Any info is appreciated.

Do you mean that there will also be no physical connection to the rock wall? Where are you located? You don't really need a block wall, you can support with several 4x4s just like building a deck.

Texhammer
Depth of footings depends on your geo for frost line.
Here we go 3' below finish grade. Footers are 2 foot wide so we can physically get into them to lay the block. Footers are 6' thick with 2 runs 3/8 steel rod, or 8" thick no rods.

6" block would be good for you steps since its 8 foot high ( 12 to 13 steps.

The stone wall, is this real stone?

If so the you will need 10 block to grade to give you a 4" ledge to lay real stone which lays about 5" out from the 6" block wall.

If its fake stone veneer then 6" block is fine. ( I personally prefer 8" block but I'm a mason and like to over build.

The block below grade should be parged and tar pitched on the exposed block to dirt.

Step your block for concrete form layout.

You mentioned free standing. Are the steps to go from lower grade to upper grade through existing retaining wall? If thats the case and the wall is mostly in the ground I would use 10" block to act a also as a side retaining wall.


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