Everything you need to repair broken concrete stairs
- Remove dust and debris. Since you’ll eventually be applying a bonding agent to the damaged area, the cracked or crumbling surface needs to be as clean and dust-free as possible.
- Create a wood form. ...
- Apply a bonding adhesive. ...
- Create your concrete mix. ...
- Apply concrete to damaged areas. ...
- Fill in gaps. ...
- Smooth the surface. ...
- Let it dry. ...
Full Answer
How much does it cost to replace concrete stairs?
The price of precast concrete stairs is only about $100 per step, including labor. When replacing an existing staircase, expect to pay between $400 and $700 for removal first. Concrete steps are versatile.
What is the best way to pour concrete over stairs?
Pour it on and spread it with a masonry brush. Hose down the steps and let them dry. Then coat the chipped-out areas with concrete bonding adhesive. Build a concrete form to match the original height of the step. Locate the front of the form about 1 in. out from the old face of the step.
How to resurface concrete in 4 steps?
pressure wash concrete to get steps totally clean. Pressure Wash the Concrete. Tape Off the Edges. cement needs to be consistency of peanut butter. roll on layer of bonding agent and smooth. Fill the Holes. Add a Second Coat. mix concrete to a slurry like pancake batter. Spray Water. Can you resurface concrete stairs?
How much does it cost to repair cement steps?
Concrete step repair including filling holes, patching cracks and applying a smooth new layer of concrete over the aging steps costs, on average, less than $500.In comparison, pouring new steps costs about $300 per step, including the framing, the rebar and the concrete.
Can you repair broken concrete steps?
Rebuild damaged edges and corners to make your concrete steps look like new or surface concrete steps if possible. Cutting away the damaged concrete and pouring a new concrete cap on the step can often repair badly broken concrete steps. The fix will be durable and you avoid the high expense of a complete tear-out.
How do you fix badly damaged concrete steps?
2:173:08How to Repair Broken Concrete Steps with QUIKRETE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlthough any standing water should be removed quick-setting cement should be built up in layersMoreAlthough any standing water should be removed quick-setting cement should be built up in layers using a margin trowel. The first layer should be pressed into the repair area using firm trowel.
How do you repair cement stairs?
3:237:34Cement Step Repair in One Day -- by Home Repair Tutor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you want to do is push down put a lot of downward pressure on that cement. And that way itMoreSo what you want to do is push down put a lot of downward pressure on that cement. And that way it will form. And you can expect that you're gonna have to use a steel trowel.
How do you fix concrete steps that are crumbling?
Mix a small batch of quick-setting cement in a plastic bucket. With a pointed trowel, scoop the cement and press it into the form tightly, eliminating any air bubbles. Slightly overfill the corner, and once the patch is thumb dry (about 5-10 minutes), then smooth the cement flush with the top of the step.
Can you repair crumbling concrete?
The Cure for Crumbling Concrete Steps As long as the steps are structurally sound—meaning, they're not spalling, flaking, or broken all the way through—you can repair most surface issues.
How do you fix an outside staircase?
1:139:11How to Repair or Add DECK, PORCH STEPS, EXTERIOR ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first things first you can see that my husband. And father have started taking off the boardsMoreSo first things first you can see that my husband. And father have started taking off the boards right here. So you want to detach your existing steps and then we'll move on to step two.
What is best to patch concrete?
The patches leave no trace: DIYers can tool them to blend in with the rest of the surface.BEST OVERALL: Red Devil 0644 Pre-Mixed Concrete Patch.RUNNER-UP: Damtite 04072 Concrete Super Patch Repair.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Quikrete #862013 5.5 Oz Concrete Repair.BEST FOR FLOORS: Henry, W.W. Co.More items...•
Whats the difference between cement and concrete?
What is the difference between cement and concrete? Although the terms cement and concrete often are used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel or crushed stone; the paste is water and portland cement.
Is there an adhesive for concrete?
Concrete glue is an adhesive designed for adhering porous concrete to other surfaces—a difficult task without the right product. Because of the sometimes tricky nature of concrete surfaces, special formulas are created for each type of material you'll need to bond it to.
Can you pour concrete over old concrete steps?
You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.
Why is my concrete falling apart?
If too much water is introduced to the mixture, the cement and sand cannot bond with each other and will instead fall apart. As the concrete starts to dry, this results in a crumbling area where the particles aren't sticking together.
How do you replace front concrete steps?
0:178:23How to Install Precast Concrete Steps | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's going to allow the rain water to come down sit on the steps. Create some ice so otherMoreThat's going to allow the rain water to come down sit on the steps. Create some ice so other problems. And then if you really zone in on those steps you can see how much they do tip to the right.
How can I make my concrete steps look better?
You can simply repaint it, add bricks, tiles, wood panels or decorative stones. Also you can place plants, lanterns and other decorative details at your front steps. All these steps can give a whole new look to your resurface concrete patio.
How do you replace front concrete steps?
0:178:23How to Install Precast Concrete Steps | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's going to allow the rain water to come down sit on the steps. Create some ice so otherMoreThat's going to allow the rain water to come down sit on the steps. Create some ice so other problems. And then if you really zone in on those steps you can see how much they do tip to the right.
How do you fill large gaps in concrete steps?
0:596:55Seal Gap In Foundation and Concrete Patio or Sidewalk - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you're going to take your backer rod pack. It in there to bring it closer to the surface.MoreSo you're going to take your backer rod pack. It in there to bring it closer to the surface.
How do you fill holes in concrete steps?
Begin by dampening the area with water. Repair superficial damage by applying a layer of concrete patch with a mason's trowel. For structural damage, put the concrete mix over the holes or damaged areas with a square head shovel. Fill the holes and smooth the surface with a trowel.
How long does it take to repair a concrete step?
In an hour you can repair a step.
How to remove sand from a concrete slab?
Remove all loose gravel, sand, dirt, and cement with a clean, stiff wire brush. You can also tap lightly with a hammer or use a hammer and chisel. ...
How to keep cement moist?
12. Keep the cement moist. Use a spray bottle to moisten the new concrete patch 2 or 3 times a day for 3 days. Then moisten the patch twice daily for a week.
Can concrete steps break apart?
Concrete steps are exposed to the elements every day. After time, the steps can crack or begin to break apart. Cracked steps pose a potential safety risk to people entering or leaving your home and must be repaired. Use these instructions to repair concrete steps.
Can you use premixed cement to fill stucco?
Do not use pre-mixed vinyl cement repair because it shrinks and will not hold weight. These vinyl fillers are best used to fill holes in stucco walls where no one is walking over them. "Cement-all", that is $22 per bag, does not need a bonding agent, and can be driven over in 60 minutes with an automobile.
Introduction
As time goes on, a set of concrete steps can often develop cracks, chips, holes, or even tile replacements from the dried mix concrete. These forms of damages can often lead to unsafe conditions when walking up or down the steps, so it is highly important to repair your set of concrete steps before the damage gets too immense.
Step 2
Use a claw hammer and chisel to flatten/smooth the surface of concrete to reduce any unsound or flaking stones.
Step 4
Insert the larger chisel into the bucket of the quick-setting cement, in the motion of mixing.
Step 5
Slowly smear the quick-setting cement onto the surface of the smooth concrete.
Step 6
Using a margin trowel, press firmly towards the quick-setting cement to flatten the concrete from a left-to-right motion each time.
Step 7
After applying the quick-setting cement, reapply your tiles and wait 5-7 hours before hardening.
Remove dust and debris
Since you’ll eventually be applying a bonding agent to the damaged area, the cracked or crumbling surface needs to be as clean and dust-free as possible. Using a wire brush, clean off dust and loose chunks of cement. As you’re brushing, look for deeper cracks that will be difficult to fill entirely with cement mix.
Create a wood form
You’ll need a wood form to help create your new step’s shape accurately. Cut a piece of plywood to an appropriate size and place it horizontally along the side of the step. It should be flush against the side and rise above the top of the step about an inch or two.
Apply a bonding adhesive
Using a paintbrush, apply a generous amount of concrete bonding adhesive to the step’s damaged area. The adhesive instructions should explain how much to use and how long to let it dry, depending on how many inches of concrete you’ll be layering on. Drying time is typically between one and three hours.
Create your concrete mix
Be sure your step is prepped, and you are ready to begin applying concrete before you start creating your concrete mix. The mix will start to dry very quickly. Following the instructions on the concrete mix package, pour the mix into a large bucket or concrete tray and add the appropriate amount of water.
Apply concrete to damaged areas
A pointed trowel works best for this step. Use the trowel to scoop out portions of the mix and press it down onto the step’s damaged area. Be sure to press the mix into deeper cracks to prevent air bubbles that will have you repairing the step again sooner than you’d like.
Fill in gaps
Remove your wood form and put it aside. Check the sides of the step for gaps since, again, air bubbles will be problematic. Fill gaps in with more cement using your pointed trowel and use your steel trowel to straighten out the sides of the step.
Smooth the surface
For this step in this process, grab an edging tool and a damp cement sponge. Round off the edges of the step using the edging tool. A rounded edge is safer to walk on, and it actually lengthens the life of your new step since a round edge is less likely to crack against pressure and weather.
Who can repair concrete steps?
A mason or general contractor can repair your concrete steps. You may want to contact either professional for your project if the damage to the concrete steps is extensive or if it extends deep within the structure of the steps. Show Full Article.
How does concrete deteriorate?
From a physical standpoint, once the concrete has been allowed to deteriorate in a minor way—through spalling, small breaks or chips, de-lamination, cracking, or blistering —further deterioration occurs exponentially. Catching the problem early on is critical to preventing rebuilding the steps entirely.
How to protect hands from concrete dust?
Avoid breathing concrete products' dust since exposure may irritate eyes, nose, and lungs. Use a NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator such as a HEPA N95 mask or a P100 mask. To protect the hands, wear latex or latex-substitute gloves. Always wear safety glasses.
How to make peanut butter with concrete fortifier?
Mix the Concrete. Mix up the concrete in the 5-gallon bucket with the recommended amount of water. Add the concrete fortifier at a ratio of 4:1. Mix to the consistency of peanut butter.
How cold should concrete be to repair?
Be mindful of the temperature ranges of the concrete repair product you will be using. Concrete applied below 45 F or above 90 F often may not cure or will cure exceedingly slow.
How to build up a broken section?
Build up the broken section in layers. First, press concrete into the broken section with the margin trowel. At this point, you are only aiming to add mass, not form, to that section.
How long does it take for concrete to set?
Second, since concrete sets quickly, you will need to work relatively quickly. Concrete becomes hard to the touch in about ten minutes. Plan the contours of your intended patch before you mix up the concrete.
