We have these 2 paver steps that are awkwardly tall. I’d like to add 2 steps to this by adding another layer of pavers to the lower step here, then adding 2 steps going off of that.

Would it be a bad idea to just lay the new steps directly on the existing ground level patio steps?

I’ve seen mixed guidance on using construction adhesive vs just polysand. Any thoughts on that?

  • john_browns_beard [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    5·
    17 days ago

    I would use neither, you really need mortar for steps. Poly sand is really only meant for one layer of paver that are directly on the ground.

    You can probably put the new steps over the old ones, I would probably deconstruct some of what you have there first to make sure the new ones are really solid though.

    • hungrybread [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
      3·
      17 days ago

      Makes sense. We briefly looked into mortar, but kept bumping into the other 2 options. Probably a case of DIYers trying to minimize work though.

      Thanks for the advice!

      • john_browns_beard [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
        3·
        16 days ago

        No problem! Unfortunately, I’ve come to learn over time that the best options for home improvement stuff usually turn out to be the more expensive ones and are often a pain in the ass labor-wise. I tend to be a perfectionist though, and I hate having to look at a sub-par job for all of eternity when I know I could have done it better/the “right” way.

        • hungrybread [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
          2·
          14 days ago

          Unfortunately, I’ve come to learn over time that the best options for home improvement stuff usually turn out to be the more expensive ones and are often a pain in the ass labor-wise

          It’s funny how it always works out that way.

          I hate having to look at a sub-par job for all of eternity when I know I could have done it better/the “right” way.

          Yeah, definitely get that. You end up living with a reminder of your own impatience

  • Assian_Candor [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    2·
    17 days ago

    Polysand is shit, please don’t use it. I used it for some driveway edging and shit is now all over the place just two seasons later. I pressure washed my brick and put in polysand and the weeds are now growing through.

    Skip it and do the adhesive. They make a special kind for pavers so make sure you get the right one

  • Tom742 [they/them, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
    2·
    17 days ago

    Polymeric sand wouldn’t be a good fit for this use case, you’ll need to use a mortar or something like loctite pl500 to avoid creating a potential trip hazard. Polysand does bind, but not strongly enough for this, it’s more or less just to keep pavers from shifting and plants growing between them.

    You should be fine laying new steps on the existing provided they’re in good shape. (Relatively level, no cracks)

    I would probably at least pull that bottom layer of decorative pavers out and lay new corner pavers there to provide a better base for the steps.

    • hungrybread [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
      2·
      17 days ago

      You should be fine laying new steps on the existing provided they’re in good shape. (Relatively level, no cracks)

      Cool, these do seem like they’re in decent shape so tearing that out seems like a shame.

      I would probably at least pull that bottom layer of decorative pavers out and lay new corner pavers there to provide a better base for the steps

      Certainly couldn’t hurt. Seems like the other steps may just be on a bed of cinderblocks, can’t quite tell though. Should probably try to match that while tearing the other pavers out.

      Do you think these steps were bound with something like pl500? Doesn’t look like mortar to me

      • Tom742 [they/them, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
        2·
        17 days ago

        Hard to tell from a photo, but it looks like it to me. I’ve mostly seen landscaping adhesive used for securing cement paver steps, it joins very strongly, it’s quicker to set than mortar, and it’s a hell of a lot easier to work with than mortar.

        You’ll probably have an easier time of it ultimately if you pull out those decorative pavers where you intend to lay the new steps and replace them with some wider step or corner pavers. Much sturdier base and you’ll get a better adhesive bond.