Concrete steps are an efficient and economical way to bring the user from one elevation to another. They also can be a great looking asset to your property design. However, if they are not poured correctly, you may have some issues.

In this blog entry we will talk about concrete steps that are falling apart or deteriorating. We will look at the most common reasons for this to happen and give you a little advice on how to fix it.

There are several common causes for concrete steps to fall apart or crack. Sometimes the damage is due to normal use and sometimes it is due to improper construction

If you have a step that has crumbled or separated from the rest of the stairway, removal is necessary. Depending upon how deep the damaged area is, you may need to cut out more than just the top layer of concrete in order to completely remove all damaged areas. This means that cutting must be done very carefully so as not to damage deeper areas that are still good

Once all of the damaged concrete has been removed, clean out any dust and debris before moving on. If there is any rebar present, make sure that it is free of rust by grinding off any buildup of oxidation

Once you have completed all prep work, it is time to pour your new

The concrete steps leading to your home may be falling apart. There are a few reasons why this is happening, but the one that is most common causes the concrete to lose its moisture and become brittle and weak. This causes cracks in the cement and the steps to start breaking up. To repair these steps, you will have to replace it.

Repairing Concrete Steps

Concrete steps are made from a combination of sand, crushed stone, gravel and cement. Water is added to this combination to create a paste that hardens as it dries. This process is called hydration. The sand in the mixture holds the stones and gravel together while the cement provides a smooth surface for walking. When you see chipped or broken concrete, it is actually just the cement that has cracked and come away from the stones and gravel that are holding it together.

Knowing what happens when concrete breaks down can help you determine if you need complete replacement of your cement steps or just some basic repairs. We will discuss how to complete both types of repairs below.

Before you can repair your concrete steps, you need to know how much damage has been done. If there are small cracks or chips in individual blocks, these can easily be repaired with some patching material, which we will

The other day I was driving by one of my customer’s houses when I noticed that the steps in front of her house were cracking and falling apart. This is a common problem with concrete steps so I stopped to take a closer look.

As you can see in the picture there is a significant amount of cracking and settling in parts of her steps. The reason that this happened is because the builder didn’t install any rebar (reinforcing bars) inside the steps when they were poured.

When the steps are just plain concrete with no rebar, they cannot hold up to any type of stress. When the temperature outside changes from hot to cold, or vice versa, it causes the concrete to expand and contract. If there is no rebar in the concrete then this expansion and contraction can cause large cracks to form. These cracks usually start out small but will continue to get bigger over time. If left alone for too long, these cracks can eventually cause the step to crumble and break apart.

When concrete steps are poured correctly with rebar or fiber mesh, this sort of damage is less likely to occur. However, if your steps are already experiencing some damage then don’t worry! We can repair them for you quickly and easily without breaking your bank account!

Concrete steps are the most common form of steps for both residential and commercial buildings. Concrete steps are common for many reasons, including that concrete can be formed into any size or shape and poured at the job location. Concrete steps can also be built to match the existing siding of a house to provide a uniform look.

Concrete steps are durable, but exposure to the elements can take its toll over time, causing the concrete to crack or crumble. Steps that are cracked or crumbling can be dangerous because they pose a tripping hazard. Luckily, concrete is easy to repair and you can fix concrete steps yourself.

Many concrete steps have problems over time. Many times the problem is moisture in the concrete. When the steps are poured they are generally smooth and level. The first protection a homeowner can do is to seal the new steps with a clear penetrating sealer as soon as possible after they are poured. This will serve two purposes, it will slow down the absorption of moisture into the concrete and it will protect against stains caused by oil, paint or other liquids.

The second protection that should be done is to clear away snow and ice from your steps in a timely manner. The freeze thaw cycles that happen in the winter cause the water in the concrete to expand and contract leading to spalling of the concrete surface.

Spalling of concrete is when pieces of the top layer begin to flake off. This can be very dangerous for anyone walking on it as well as being unsightly. If this happens we recommend you call a professional to remove all loose material from your steps and patch them properly before sealing them with an acrylic cement paint

Concrete steps are very important for any home. They provide safe egress in and out of the house, and also add a lot of curb appeal. As with any exterior concrete project, you need to make sure that the base is strong enough to support the loads above it. This article will go over some common mistakes that I see when inspecting concrete steps, and how to avoid them.

1) Base preparation is key

The most common mistake I see on concrete steps is not having enough dirt below the steps. Concrete steps contain a lot of weight, so you need to make sure that they are supported by an adequate amount of dirt below them. I recommend digging down at least 8″ into good soil before adding gravel and then pouring the concrete. The more dirt you can place below your concrete step, the better it will be supported. If you live in an area where it rains a lot, then it may be necessary to dig down even deeper so that the water drains away from your concrete step and doesn’t settle around it.

2) Steps should always have rebar

When pouring new steps or repairing existing ones, you should always use rebar for reinforcement. Rebar is cheap, strong, and long lasting- all qualities that make it ideal for reinforcing

Your concrete steps are looking old, worn and damaged. Maybe they are even cracked or crumbling. How do you fix them without replacing them?

After a thorough cleaning, consider using one of the following concrete repair products:

Sika Concrete Fix Epoxy