Outdoor stairs genius needed!?!!!

[Sevenhills1952]

I have a new barn about 7 feet below an existing garage. A retaining wall was installed behind garage, about 76" up from gravel I put down, 5ft away from garage wall then 4ft over to new barn wall.
Concrete poured (wall tied to barn, reinforced, 6"deep, little over 50ft long) top of wall. At one end made a landing, gravel path to it and over to concrete. Steps 11"x 7.5"h, 4ft wide.
Problem is other end of walkway I'd like to have stairs. It's near a large old oak tree I don't want to disturb.
The adjoining retaining wall is 68" long out at 110 degree angle. I'd like stairs affixed to this wall, stairs I'm thinking triangular, stairs curving around to lower level.
Hopefully pictures will show, they're in order start (stairs now) over to this area which I can't figure out best way to do it.

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[Kaizen]

Lost me a little. In the last pic you want stairs between the wood “wall” and the building? And it goes to the left around the building? How far?


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[Sevenhills1952]

I've been putting gravel down last could of days. Maybe pictures explain better. The long 5ft wide sidewalk is 75"(6'3") high. I want steps going where I'm pointing between retaining wall and oak tree. I want to keep 4 ft wide gravel space below open, no steps there.
That angle, short retaining wall to end of concrete walk wall is 110 degrees. I'm afraid to post hole dig that close to oak as I'll hit roots.
Top step is pretty easy, a triangle landing but have to secure it on end, then stairs need to curl as they go down toward barn at bottom.
That 6x6 treated post very substantial 36" down in concrete. Maybe easiest is form and pour quickrete somehow.

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[Kaizen]

You are going to have to dig to put another support for the right side of the stairs. Pouring concrete on those roots will kill them. Same as if you left that gravel there.
You could try and make a stair stringer that has additional pieces at the bottom where that post is. Kind of like framing a hip rafter. But I’d be concerned with the stair tread differences.
Easier solution is to make a landing that is not a square. So square to the top and then the other side would be square to the garage wall. Will need three posts dug or some kind of support that is code in your area.


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[Sevenhills1952]

There is no code in this area. I'll figure something out, maybe spiral staircase?

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[Jeff Ivers]

From the pictures, it looks like you may have already disturbed the root system of that tree enough that it will not survive. It might be worth checking with a tree expert before finalizing your plans. I certainly understand wanting to save an oak of that size and hope that it survives. But to your question: my idea would be to build a trapezoidal shaped deck about 7" below the sidewalk using the wall at the end of the sidewalk, the retaining wall and a post set on a deck block to form the corner for the other 2 sides. We have built a lot of decks where part of the deck is supported by a post set on one of those deck blocks. Run diagonal bracing from near the bottom of that post to the top of the retaining wall and the corner of the sidewalk wall nearest the tree. Once the deck is constructed, build simple straight steps with 3 2x12 stringers. I think your steps will extend about 10' from the edge of the deck.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

I hope tree is ok. It's very close to garage and leaning that way. Roots were cut but largest maybe 1" or so diameter. Leaves look healthy.
I'd have to see a picture or drawing to figure out your design. Thanks.

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[Jeff Ivers]

I hope tree is ok. It's very close to garage and leaning that way. Roots were cut but largest maybe 1" or so diameter. Leaves look healthy.
I'd have to see a picture or drawing to figure out your design. Thanks.

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If you PM me your email address, I will print one of your photos, sketch on it what I am talking about, convert that to a .pdf and email it to you. Won't be online again till late today.

 

[mike93lx]

I hope tree is ok. It's very close to garage and leaning that way. Roots were cut but largest maybe 1" or so diameter. Leaves look healthy.
I'd have to see a picture or drawing to figure out your design. Thanks.

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Trees don't die instantly. It could be on its way out, could be fine. Either way, it's too close to the building.

 

[Kaizen]

I hope tree is ok. It's very close to garage and leaning that way. Roots were cut but largest maybe 1" or so diameter. Leaves look healthy.
I'd have to see a picture or drawing to figure out your design. Thanks.

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His idea is similar to mine. Use a platform/deck/landing to change directions so you can use straight stringers. While a curved laminated one would look good it’s not practical outside.


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[Higgins]

Oaks roots typically go out beyond the end of the branches of the tree. Oaks do not like there roots covered with anything, nor there roots cut back.

It may take several yrs before the Oak tree dies....

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Thanks about oak, although I'm not concerned about it and shouldn't have mentioned it. My focus is on the stairs!

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[Jeff Ivers]

Sent you an email yesterday afternoon with an attached .pdf showing what I was suggesting. Hope it helps. Please be sure to post a picture of the final solution. It looks like you have some nice buildings with some extensive landscaping.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Sent you an email yesterday afternoon with an attached .pdf showing what I was suggesting. Hope it helps. Please be sure to post a picture of the final solution. It looks like you have some nice buildings with some extensive landscaping.

I never got the email. I'm not sure why. Could you post it here or try a PM? Thanks!

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[Jeff Ivers]

I never got the email. I'm not sure why. Could you post it here or try a PM? Thanks!

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A PM does not allow me to attach a .pdf file. I do not have a way to convert a .pdf file to .jpg. GJ will not allow me to attach a .pdf of the size of the file I have (1.2 meg). I will PM you my email address - perhaps your spam filter prevented my email from coming through? I will also resend the email to you within the hour. Open to other suggestions.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

A PM does not allow me to attach a .pdf file. I do not have a way to convert a .pdf file to .jpg. GJ will not allow me to attach a .pdf of the size of the file I have (1.2 meg). I will PM you my email address - perhaps your spam filter prevented my email from coming through? I will also resend the email to you within the hour. Open to other suggestions.

I don't want you going through so much trouble, although I appreciate it a lot.
[email protected]
I'll check spam folder.

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[Sevenhills1952]

I just wanted to thank Jeff Ivers, his plan idea was great! It will work out very well and I like the simplicity. I have a trailer load of material the contractor didn't want, lots of treated stuff as well.

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[Jeff Ivers]

I just wanted to thank Jeff Ivers, his plan idea was great! It will work out very well and I like the simplicity. I have a trailer load of material the contractor didn't want, lots of treated stuff as well.

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At last - it sounds like the email and drawing finally made it through the ether. Sometimes I forget that there is no guarantee that an email will go through immediately.