Repairing Guides

how to repair damaged cement steps

by Chelsea Jacobs Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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concrete sealers & repair

  • Make sure the damaged area is clean and cleared of debris before you start repairing concrete steps.
  • Sweep the broken area, removing weeds, dirt and broken concrete chips.
  • Scrub the damaged area with a stiff, wet brush, such as a wire brush .
  • If possible, pressure wash the damaged parts of the steps. If the steps are damp, the new concrete will adhere better.
  • Tape off the areas where you do not want new or additional patching material.

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.

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.

How to patch and resurface concrete steps?

Step 2: Patch Spalled Areas

  • While the concrete is damp, mix up enough resurfacer to fill any divots. ...
  • Fill the recesses with resurfacer, and smooth with a finish trowel.
  • Go to the next step when you can stand on the patch without indenting it, in about 2 to 5 hours.

How much does it cost to remove concrete steps?

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Or Install Concrete Steps?

  • On This Page:
  • Average Cost to Install Concrete Steps
  • Prefab Concrete Steps Pricing. A precast set of stairs between 3 and 15 steps costs between $300 and $2,000 to purchase. ...
  • Cost to Pour a Concrete Staircase. ...
  • Average Price to Install with Prefabricated Cement vs. ...
  • Cost to Replace Concrete Steps. ...
  • Concrete Steps Cost Calculator by Use. ...
  • DIY Building vs. ...

How do you replace cement steps?

Repair or Replace – Pouring Concrete Steps

  • Rebuild damaged edges and corners to make your concrete steps look like new or surface concrete steps if possible. ...
  • Overview: The recap solution, tools and materials. ...
  • Video: How to Pour a Concrete Slab
  • Bust off the old concrete step surface. ...
  • Forming Concrete Steps: Pour a new concrete cap. ...
  • Video: How to Repair Concrete Steps. ...

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Can you fix damaged cement steps?

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. Work the new concrete into the pores of the existing concrete.

How do you repair and resurface concrete steps?

1:434:47How To Resurface Concrete Steps / Cement Stair Repair ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can use some chemical strippers. We found the quickest way is to use a concrete grinder. So hereMoreYou can use some chemical strippers. We found the quickest way is to use a concrete grinder. So here you see the concrete grinding process where he's using a hand grinder to remove all the paint.

How do you make old 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 repair outdoor concrete steps?

0:003:08How to Repair Broken Concrete Steps with QUIKRETE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipQuick requited cements along with quick read acrylic fortifier is designed specifically to repairMoreQuick requited cements along with quick read acrylic fortifier is designed specifically to repair broken edges and corners on concrete steps curbs slabs.

Can you concrete over old concrete?

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.

How do you resurface concrete?

0:454:28How to Resurface Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concreteMoreBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concrete resurfacer that has been mixed to a triable consistency.

Does concrete overlay last?

Another factor is the preparation before applying the overlay. Common mistakes are failing to clean the concrete properly or to profile it adequately. With proper installation and maintenance, overlays are extremely durable and can last for decades, even in harsh climates.

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 resurface concrete?

0:454:28How to Resurface Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concreteMoreBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concrete resurfacer that has been mixed to a triable consistency.

How do you cover concrete steps?

To cover over concrete stairs, run a line of carpet from top to bottom. When covering wood stairs, fairly narrow strips of carpet are typically run down the center portion of the stairs, leaving bare areas on each side. For concrete stairs, cut the carpet to fit edge to edge.

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 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 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.

Can concrete steps be worn?

For all their durability and ease of maintenance, concrete steps can become worn after a while. The corners and edges of stair noses can chip away through ordinary use. The abuse is even more pronounced when heavy items like boxes and hand trucks are hauled up and down the steps.

How long does it take to revive concrete stairs?

Once you have applied it, there are no additional, tedious steps to complete. Within two to three hours, your transformed stairs will be ready to accept foot traffic again. Although there’s no more straightforward way to revive tired concrete, there are still nuances to working with NewCrete or another resurfacer.

How long does concrete last?

In many instances, concrete can last for decades without deteriorating or requiring much at all in the way of maintenance. But particularly when it’s used outdoors, ...

Can you repair a concrete stairs?

Perhaps no hardscaping feature suffers as much as concrete stairs, which are subject to heavy foot traffic that only serves to hasten deterioration. That said, you can repair damage to your concrete stairs, whether it’s the result of gradual wear and tear or a sudden trauma, with a basic course of maintenance.

Can you shore up concrete without a contractor?

But even so, solutions like Rapid Set Cement All enable you to shore up fail ing concrete on your own, and to do so easily and quickly, even without a contractor.

Can you reverse damage to stairs?

You can reverse damage and keep your stairs looking as good as new with a little maintenance and some innovative, effective products that simplify and speed up concrete repairs. For construction professionals and homeowners alike, concrete offers many appealing qualities, but there may be none greater than its undeniable durability.

Can concrete tablecloths get stained?

Believe it or not, concrete has something in common with a plain white tablecloth—both are capable of getting stained. Of course, there’s no practical harm associated with discoloration, so depending on the location of the stairs in question, you may or may not feel the need to intervene.

Does concrete get worse in winter?

For one thing, structural problems in concrete only get worse, particularly with each passing winter, until the installation deteriorates so badly that it needs to be fully replaced. There’s also the fact that compromised concrete can be a tripping hazard, never more so than on stairs.

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.

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