I think that there is enough of a drop to the concrete that warrants 2 steps … We are buying an older house that has a very steep staircase into the finished basement. Note that a couple of nonstandard trowels may prove handy along the way. After all, foot traffic and the passage of time both take their toll. Best of all, NewCrete works quickly and self-cures. Note that a couple of nonstandard trowels may prove handy along the way. So, we decided to find a way to cover the concrete steps with wood. Thanks to advances in manufacturing and a range of innovative products from CTS Cement | Rapid Set, it’s never been quicker or easier to make repairs to concrete. % of people told us that this article helped them. Speed matters: If the stairs serve as the main access to the house or lie along a frequently traveled part of the property, a long and drawn-out repair process can be a real nuisance. Consider a resin driveway surface. Depending on the condition and size of the repair … Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com. 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. Cracked steps pose a potential safety risk to people entering or leaving your home and must be repaired. Maintaining a sufficient moisture level is necessary for the new concrete to cure and harden properly. Check for signs of weathering, flaking, or crazing (shallow, spiderweb-like cracks). To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. To make the stairs safer to climb and descend, you must reduce … Does an external repair need to be covered to protect it from the rain? For starters, before doing anything else, remember to clean the stairs thoroughly, removing all dirt and debris (including loose concrete). We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Specific guidelines vary by manufacturer, but with NewCrete, use a drill-mounted paddle mix to combine water and the resurfacer mix in a bucket. By Donna Boyle Schwartz and Bob Vila. When, for … Ready? As you go, look for deep cracks and take the time to chisel their edges smooth (and, of course, brush away any debris that results). One solution, if you have some space to work with at the foot of the concrete steps, is to add some new steps constructed with pressure treated lumber. In many instances, concrete can last for decades without deteriorating or requiring much at all in the way of maintenance. Traction tape is a quick and easy solution for slippery steps, whether they’re wood or concrete, but you have to seal the pores so the adhesive will hold. But particularly when it’s used outdoors, where it’s exposed to the elements year-round and beset by extreme temperatures and punishing storms, concrete does slowly but surely weaken. As well, Cement All—rated three times stronger than most concrete—provides ample, lasting strength. Fortunately, so long as you rely on innovative, rapid-setting repair products from CTS Cement | Rapid Set, you’ll be able to maintain the longevity and looks of your concrete steps while still leaving plenty of time for all your other to-do’s—or for that matter, some well-deserved rest and relaxation. You may need to remove any additional loose cement in the damaged area using a hand sledgehammer. Work the concrete into the front of the form with your shovel or a stick. It’s a bit of a drop to land on the step and to make matters worse, the step is at a slant. Although there’s no more straightforward way to revive tired concrete, there are still nuances to working with NewCrete or another resurfacer. By using our site, you agree to our. If you use fast drying cement, it will not need to be covered because most fast drying cements cure within 1 hour. Begin by dampening the area with water. Step 1 - Determine the Type of Concrete. Within two to three hours, your transformed stairs will be ready to accept foot traffic again. If it drips, add more dry concrete mix. Use these instructions to repair concrete steps. The form can also be held together using several long pieces of duct tape. Spray Water. Mar 3, 2016 - The parts of a staircase that determine the steepness of the stairs are the stringers, or the wood braces, on which the stairs sit. In an hour you can repair a step. Use these instructions to fix small holes and cracks in a concrete patio, driveway or garage floor. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 65,528 times. 1. At first I wanted to paint them white, but when we decided to replace all the porch flooring, I wanted the treads to match new wood. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Dampen the existing concrete stairs, then add the NewCrete, using a trowel to smooth and shape it. If your stairs have a slight curve to them, not to worry. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. If you're handy with a miter saw, you can still install a bullnose edging for more tread width. Most of all, though, homeowners appreciate how rapidly the product sets and cures. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Steep staircases may be a unique feature in your home, but they can be dangerous, too. How to Patch Concrete Porch Steps. Concrete steps are exposed to the elements every day. Unless all the damaged cement is removed, you'll probably need to redo the repair as the new patch may be unstable. This way you do not have to create wood forms nor wait hours for it to harden. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. For one, Cement All boasts superior adhesion, helping facilitate bonding with the damaged concrete. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. First, use a small hammer and chisel in combination to knock … As well, when you’re dealing with a material that lasts as long as concrete does, over the years you’re bound to encounter more than one occasion for maintenance. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Restructuring a steep staircase usually means the loss of living space on one or both of the floors connected by the staircase. But even so, solutions like Rapid Set Cement All enable you to shore up failing concrete on your own, and to do so easily and quickly, even without a contractor. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. After time, the steps can crack or begin to break apart. With just two 9-inch treads and three 8¼-inch risers, they’re plenty steep, a condition all too common in a world where builders pride themselves on how little space they can eat up with stairs. Dampen the existing concrete stairs, then add the NewCrete, using a trowel to smooth and shape it. If the concrete is solid, then there are a few steps … In this video we go over how we built and poured 10 concrete stair steps. If the concrete is pre-cast and hollow, then the steps are easily carried away without a problem. Other products may require a time-intensive water curing process, but NewCrete cures entirely on its own—and with remarkable speed. I saw a lot of power washing in our future! When, for instance, you’re trying to achieve a crisp line along the outer edge of a stair tread, your best bet may be a nose trowel. When I was thinking through the details for our farmhouse front porch makeover, I knew from the very beginning we would want to do something to makeover the concrete steps. While Cement All fortifies, NewCrete beautifies—and because both products set and cure so rapidly, it’s possible to breeze through a job in one day, or even in one afternoon. Pack the cement to the desired level, but depending on the nature of the repair, note that it may be necessary to use a wooden form to help the compound retain the desired shape. In either case, rest assured that you can restore the appearance of your steps while potentially adding years to their lifespan. Hi Jeff, I found this video to have such great content. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Step 1 Measure from the spot on … We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Remove all loose gravel, sand, dirt, and cement with a clean, stiff wire brush. Here, a power washer can be an effective tool and a real time-saver, but an old-fashioned wire brush works too. Then, to prepare the Cement All, combine the mix with the recommended quantity of water. https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-repair-and-resurface-concrete-steps/, https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/exteriors/how-to-repair-broken-concrete-step-corners/, http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/skill-builder/0,,466378,00.html, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Yes, cover the cement with plastic or plywood. If you want to fix steep stairs within a limited footprint, winder stairs with pie-shaped steps are a compact and safe solution. Avoid making embarrassing mistakes on Zoom! Apr 15, 2017 - ***Updated below with pic of started project. If this happens, spray … When the form is completely full, screed off the excess concrete. If any such imperfections are compromising the appearance of your stairs, remember this: You can give the concrete a like-new look and a renewed lease on life with a resurfacer like NewCrete from CTS Cement | Rapid Set. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. The stairs … It doesn’t matter if the … To test, lay a little down and broom it. Though the process is pretty straightforward no matter the condition of the concrete, the approach you choose will depend on whether you’re dealing with mere cosmetic flaws or more significant structural issues. Then work the material for a few minutes until it resembles pancake batter. If you are using a wheelbarrow, you might construct an earthen ramp so you can wheel your cement up to the lip of the form … Here is an example to convey the idea. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Meanwhile, for the inside edge where a tread meets a riser, opt for a cove trowel. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. DIY experts show how to repair concrete steps by patching and resurfacing them. First you must discern whether the concrete is solid or pre-cast concrete. I need your expert opinion on how to fix a side step which is just a concrete slab exiting my home onto the concrete driveway. Bear in mind that you can always use Cement All and NewCrete in tandem, as a tag-team remedy for the full spectrum of issues that threaten to destroy any concrete installation. The treads are less than 7 inches deep, and there are only 9 steps where one would expect 13 steps, … Trowel Cement All onto each damaged area, taking special care to get it into any cracks or holes. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. I knew this would make … Believe it or not, concrete has something in common with a plain white tablecloth—both are capable of getting stained. I really feel like I can fix my broken concrete steps outside my home. If the cement mixture crumbles, add more water. Cover the patch with plastic if you expect it to rain within the next 24 hours. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Repair-Concrete-Steps-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-Concrete-Steps-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Repair-Concrete-Steps-Step-1.jpg\/aid1343615-v4-728px-Repair-Concrete-Steps-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":325,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":515,"licensing":"