[JIMBO]

I just finished our patio and my wife decided she would like a step between the patio door and the patio itself. The distance is 6.5" to the lip of the door. I plan on using an Eldorado stone veneer over block with a bluestone cap. Is it ok to adhere the block to the patio with concrete adhesive or do I need to mortar it to the pavers? Should I also adhere it to the house or not, leaving it free to flex with patio? Will the weight of the 2" bluestone be enough or should I also use adhesive to attach it to the stone or maybe mortar?

[JIMBO]

I'm new to this so be nice.

[Lanelle]

Welcome Jimbo.
Before giving advice, a couple of questions:
Are you in a freeze/thaw area?
Are those pavers dry-laid with a compacted gravel base underneath?

In general, steps need to have their own foundation and lay the patio surface up to the vertical planes of the steps. Not certain why you are introducing two new materials to this area.
With a bit more detail from you, the answers can be more specific.

[JIMBO]

I compacted the subsoil, laid the fabric, then used 4 inches of compacted crusher run and 1 in. of sand. I also used polymeric sand in the joints. I live in New Jersey so we do get our fair share of cold weather.

The step was an after thought. We used to have a concrete slab there, with no step. I guess the concrete foundation stands out more next to the autumn blend pavers. Now the door looks like it's floating.

[JIMBO]

As far as introducing two new materials goes, we plan on wrapping the foundation of the house in the same Eldorado Stone veneer. It's dark gray so it compliments the greay in the autumn blend pavers and the charcoal pavers that we used as a border. I plan on adding some columns around the patio and will also use bluestone as caps. I love the dark, rich color. A bit expensive though. The materials for this one little step cost me $350.

[Lanelle]

OK, you have done a dry laid patio and now you wish to add a masonry step that is mortared. You cannot put mortared elements on dry-laid pavers. When the pavers move, the mortar will crack and the step/veneer will fail and look terrible.
Take up the pavers in the area of the step. Dig down to the freeze/thaw line (maybe 24-30"?) for your area. Pour a footer of concrete, 8-10" thick and build up with your block, mortaring the block and filling the cores. If your house has been there for several years, you should be able to tie the block to the exposed concrete wall without movement issues. Mortar on the veneer stone and the cap.
Put the patio pavers back, cutting to fit to the step.
I know that this sounds like more work, but doing it right lasts.

[JIMBO]

I'm pouring 8-10" of concrete for the footer, so what else goes in the 24-30" hole that I've just dug? How many bags of concrete do I need to cover 8-10" when the dimensions are about 48" x 16"?

Thanks in advance for the words of wisdom.