How to Build Block Steps with Natural Stone Caps

We walk through how we build block steps in this video from the tear out of the old to the building up of the new. This project was built on stone dust, so we completely removed the stone dust to then compact our subsoil and install our non-woven geotextile. We then compacted our 3/4" minus in lifts as to what our compactor was capable of. From here we need to plan the rises of our steps, so we go into detail as to where we should set our screed bars to be able to set the foundation of our steps correctly so we can easily build these steps up from there, complete our cuts, chisel the wall blocks, and install the caps.
If you want to watch the UNCUT version of this video, you can find it here:
• Building Two Block Ste...
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[@davefulton7428]

Nice love the custom cuts around the rocks looks sweet!

[@iamahardscaper]

Thank you!

[@atop147]

Great work brother!

[@iamahardscaper]

Thanks man!

[@carlw]

Yes nice touch with the curves.
I was wondering about something with the two top steps. The slab sits on top of the base blocks but you don't have to fill in those voides with HPB? Or would that be overkill/moot?
Also, is drainage a non issue given the slabs and base blocks are tight?

[@iamahardscaper]

We usually do fill it in, but we are returning next year to install lighting and re do the walkway anyways so we left it open. Drainage will be addressed next year as well. Not too concerned about it because it is raised and can drain out to the left where the natural stone boulders are. Great questions Carl!

[@carlw]

@@iamahardscaper That makes sense. What will you use, HPB?
How about ................stone dust? 🤪

[@iamahardscaper]

😂 HPB or 3/4”

[@ivans613]

Nice work! How come you didn't fill in the empty space behind the wall blocks with some clear stone? Was it necessary to have that first course of smaller wall block below the 6 inch wall blocks? Was that to make it easier to level things or did you want a minimum amount of embedment?

[@iamahardscaper]

Normally I do fill it in, but we are likely coming back next year to do lights and re-do the walkway portion of this project so I wanted it open for that. Yes, I like to have at least 4" of embedment for steps personally.