How to Build a Wood Handicapped Ramp on Top of Brick

If you have a bricked-over entry area and want to build a wooden ramp for wheelchair access, you will need some knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act regulations for wheelchair ramps. This is not just for the purpose of legal compliance; the regulations help mitigate the strain of traversing a ramp for the wheelchair-bound. They guide you in properly measuring the angle of the ramp and help establish safe additions such as handrails. A 6-inch rise, equivalent to the level of one step, is common in many entryways.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Circular saw with wood cutting blade
• Level
• Box of 3-inch screws
• Box of 2-inch wood screws
• Power drill with screwdriver and masonry drill bits
• 1-inch-thick Plywood measuring 6 ft. long and 36 inches in width
• 2 2-by-4-inch planks of wood 36 inches long
• 2 4-by-4-inch wooden posts 36 inches long
• Socket wrenches
• 4 masonry/concrete lag bolts 5 inches long
• Spray-on rubber

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Verify the height of the step before building the ramp. The step's legal ratio must be 1:12; i.e., every inch of rise must have 12 inches of ramp. If the step is 9 inches high, the ramp must be 9 ft. long. In this case, we're using a 6-inch rise, so the ramp must be 6 ft. long.

• 2

  Cut and trim the top of the ramp's wood as needed. Brick steps can be uneven, and cutting wood to match a level angle is paramount.

• 3

  Place one of the 2-by-4-inch planks, 36 inches long, on top of a 4-by-4-inch post that's also 36 inches long and butts up to the step. This is where the top of the ramp meets the top of the step. Screw the 2-by-4 into the 4-by-4; this will make a 6-inch rise. Use 3-inch screws.

• 4

  Set a circular saw's blade at the correct angle to allow the rap to sit completely flush with the step while resting on the wood. This should be between a 25-degree and a 35-degree angle.

• 5

  Screw the ramp to the wood that's adjacent to the step.

• 6

  Cut a 4-by-4-inch post at the same angle as the top ramp support.

• 7

  Place the second 4-by-4-inch wood post under the ramp, then slide it backward until it's snug. Screw the post to the ramp from the outside of the ramp. Use 3-inch screws.

• 8

  Repeat the same procedure with the 2-by-4-inch plank by trimming the edge at the same angle, sliding it into place and screwing it in. Use 2-inch screws.

• 9

  Drill two holes at the bottom corners of the ramp. Be sure they are at least 2 inches in from the side and 2 inches in from the bottom. Drill into the brick/mason/cement about 4 inches.

• 10

  Drill two similar holes at the top of the ramp; however, drill at an angle to cut into the face of the brick.

• 11

  Screw in lag bolts at top and bottom. Take special care to sink the heads down to be nearly flush with the top of the ramp. This will help keep wheelchair wheels from snagging.

• 12

  Cover the ramp with several coats of spray-on rubber.