How to Build a Ramp
A ramp is an inclined surface used as an access point from one end of a structure to the other. Here, we will describe building a ramp that is to be used as a walking surface.
Required Materials
- activity sheet
- wood
- brick
- carpet samples
- gutter
- rubber treads
- masking tape
- pink foam
- PVC black
- PVC white
- colored stickers
- nails and screws
Required Tools
- tape measure
- claw and framing hammers
- nail belts
- nail puller
- level
- screwdrivers
- handsaw
- drills
- hacksaw
- measuring thread / string
- staple gun
- chisel
- clam
- nail gun
- plumb bob
- caulking gun
- blueprints
- tin snip
- posthole digger
Instructions
- Legalities - Before starting to build your ramp, you need to confirm the specifications with local building requirements or codes. You also need to enquire as to whether you will need a building permit.
- Initial Measurements - Measure the ground to find out how high the ramp must be. For each inch of elevation, you will require a 1’ long ramp. To enable a turn at the top of the ramp, you need to lay a 5’ landing that is square in shape and lined with batter boards.
- Laying Post Locations – First, lay the ramp edges using a masonry line and batter boards. Using the 3-4-5 triangle principle, level and square the lines to make them perfect triangles. After this, you need to excavate up to 3” into the ground, digging a little deeper to create a firm base. Using masking tape, lay the post locations. Using powdered chalk and a plumb bob, transfer the taped marks to the posts. Using a posthole digger, make holes at least 6” deep and then re-tie the lines that are marking the exterior post faces.
- The Concrete - Using pre-mixed concrete, fill the tubes. Carefully eliminate air pockets as advised on the bag. Level this and let it settle for at least 48 hours.
- Laying the Joists - When everything is ready, including the ground, measure the lengths of the outside faces and cut crossbeams commensurate with the lengths. Using a hole driller, make holes for the hex-headed bolts on the beams. Firm them together, making sure to use the washers. For the landing joists, lay them out and cut them to fit the sides between the posts. Reinforce these with the running joists. Finally, test the firmness of the ramp by giving it trial shakes and stepping on it.