When it comes to walkways, patios and steps, people really love their "landscaping style" flat surfaces. Even at high end houses, I often find stone or rock walkways and steps -- put in by a landscaper I assume but, sometimes, by the homeowner.

These features are often rustic and attractive as intended. But, what people do not think about, is that the surfaces are uneven and a pedestrian is much more likely to trip and fall than on a regular sidewalk that really is flat.

Or a person is certainly more likely to trip on steps that are uneven and made of a material that tends to be slick. With conventional steps, the difference between risers should not exceed 3/8". Pretty hard to do with rocks and often the the stones are not flat either.

When homeowners put in such "natural" features, instead of dimensional materials, they have to realize that to achieve the look they are looking for, in many instances, safety is compromised.

 

 

        

             

        

        

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6 Comments on Trip, Stumble and Fall

MAR
19
2011
317,977 Points

Great topic I don't think the home owners think of the safety concerns for others before deciding to do this I know I will thanks to your post.
11:16am • #1
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steve,

This is a interesting topic. I see this all the time over in my neck of the woods. These are made much better after a few glasses of wine ; )
12:00pm • #2
239,220 Points Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp

Steve,

Interesting blog. We have a blue stone walkway done, so I can relate to this one!
12:46pm • #3
972,827 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I was pointing this out once to a client and the listing agent heard me and came over to debate my points.  While saying that "these stones are perfectly safe to walk on," she tripped and went over very ingloriously.  After helping her up and helping her take her dress off her head, she shut up and went away...
7:23pm • #4
1,373,054 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Howdy and evening to you Steve

Steve, I have ran into many walk ways that looked as if someone had just dropped the stones down, with out doing any kind of before prep work to the area.

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

10:33pm • #5
187,096 Points 5 Featured Posts

Next time Nutsy is in one of his drunken stupors, run him up and down this walk for me.
11:44pm • #6

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

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Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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