Steps & Landings

Exterior steps and landings are the transitional elements that connect different elevations around your home — from the sidewalk to the stoop, from the yard to the porch, or from a patio to a raised deck area. They endure constant foot traffic, direct weather exposure, and the full force of Long Island's freeze-thaw cycles. When steps begin to crack, shift, or crumble, they quickly become one of the most dangerous features on your property. At Brothers Paving, we build and rebuild masonry steps and landings that are structurally sound, code compliant, and finished with materials that enhance your home's appearance.

## What Are Masonry Steps and Landings?

Masonry steps are individual risers and treads constructed from brick, concrete block, natural stone, or poured concrete, designed to provide safe passage between different ground levels. A landing is a flat, intermediate platform within a staircase run — required by building codes at certain intervals and at the top and bottom of stair runs — that provides a resting point and improves safety by breaking up long flights of stairs.

Steps and landings are typically integrated into stoops, porches, retaining walls, and walkway systems, but they can also be standalone features. For example, a set of stone steps leading from a driveway down to a backyard patio, or a brick landing at a side entry door.

## Why Damaged Steps Are Dangerous

Cracked, uneven, or crumbling steps are among the leading causes of slip-and-fall injuries at residential properties. On Long Island, the risks are compounded by winter ice and snow accumulation on already compromised surfaces. Common signs of step deterioration include:

- Cracked or spalling concrete treads and risers - Loose or missing brick on step faces - Mortar joints that have eroded and washed out - Steps that have settled or shifted, creating uneven surfaces - Rusted or loose railings that no longer provide stable support

Beyond the safety risk, damaged steps create liability exposure for homeowners. If a visitor is injured on your property due to a known hazard, you may be held responsible. Addressing deteriorated steps promptly protects both your family and your finances.

## Benefits of Professional Step and Landing Construction

Having your steps and landings professionally built or rebuilt provides:

- **Safety.** Level, properly dimensioned treads and risers with consistent rise-to-run ratios reduce the risk of trips and falls. - **Code compliance.** We build to local building code specifications for riser height, tread depth, landing size, and railing requirements. - **Curb appeal.** New steps with clean lines, quality materials, and well-tooled mortar joints immediately improve the look of your entry. - **Structural longevity.** Steps built on proper footings with freeze-thaw-rated mortar and adequate drainage last decades without major maintenance. - **Design continuity.** We match steps and landings to the materials and style of your stoop, porch, walkway, or retaining wall for a unified look.

## Our Construction Process

**1. Evaluation.** We inspect the existing steps, landings, and supporting structure to determine the scope of work. We assess footing conditions, drainage, and soil stability.

**2. Demolition and site prep.** Deteriorated steps are removed and the area is prepared for new construction. We excavate as needed to reach stable soil or pour new footings.

**3. Footing and foundation.** For steps connected to stoops or porches, the footing is integrated with the main structure. For standalone step runs, we pour independent footings below the frost line to prevent heaving.

**4. Step construction.** We build the riser-and-tread structure using concrete block, brick, or stone. Each step is leveled precisely, with consistent riser heights and tread depths throughout the run. Landings are sized to meet code requirements — typically a minimum of 36 inches in the direction of travel.

**5. Finishing.** Treads are capped with bluestone, brownstone, granite, brick, or natural stone. Risers are finished with matching or complementary materials. Mortar joints are tooled for a clean appearance and water shedding.

**6. Railings.** Where required by code — generally when there are four or more risers or the total height exceeds 30 inches — we install metal or masonry railings that meet local height, spacing, and graspability requirements.

## Materials

We build steps and landings using:

- **Bluestone** — The most popular tread material on Long Island. Its natural texture provides excellent grip, and its blue-gray color complements virtually any masonry style. - **Brick** — Classic and versatile, available in dozens of colors and suitable for both treads and risers. - **Concrete block** — Used as the structural core, with finish materials applied over the surface. - **Natural stone** — Including fieldstone, flagstone, and ledgestone for a rustic, organic appearance. - **Brownstone** — Traditional tread and riser material suited to older and historic Long Island homes. - **Granite** — Extremely hard-wearing, ideal for high-traffic step locations.

## Long Island Climate and Code Factors

Freeze-thaw cycling is the number one enemy of exterior steps on Long Island. We combat this by using air-entrained mortar, installing drainage behind and beneath step structures, sealing exposed stone surfaces, and ensuring all footings extend below the 36-inch frost line. Our step construction meets the dimensional and safety requirements of the New York State Residential Code as adopted by Nassau and Suffolk County municipalities.

## Maintenance Tips

Keep steps clear of debris, leaves, and standing water. In winter, use calcium chloride-based deicers rather than rock salt, which can damage masonry surfaces. Inspect mortar joints each spring and repoint any that show erosion. Seal natural stone treads every three to five years.

## Why Brothers Paving

Steps are one of those features that must be built correctly — there is no margin for error in dimensions, levelness, or structural support. Our masons bring years of experience building step-and-landing systems across Long Island, and we take the time to get every detail right. From a simple two-step entry to an elaborate multi-run staircase with landings and railings, we build steps that are safe, beautiful, and built to endure.