by Rex Coker

Created on: March 11, 2010   Last Updated: March 16, 2010

CONCRETE STEP REPAIR:

The best way to limit cost to repairing your concrete steps is prevention. Plain and simple, concrete should last a life time but rarely does. The main culprit to having damage to your concrete steps is the weather. When the snow and ice happen during the winter months, moisture can get into tiny cracks of the concrete. The expansion of the ice and moisture over time create bigger cracks, and the next thing you know a piece falls off, or completely comes apart.

Yearly inspections of your home's foundation and steps should be addressed when doing so. If you see a crack in either of these areas, a simple solution can save you a lot of money, as far as prevention goes. Clean and add silicone deep inside cracks to ward off moisture. If the damage has already been done, do not lose hope.

According to how much damage is done it may only take a simple bag of mortar mix to dress and replace the loss of the section that has deteriorated. Here are some easy steps to take when tackling the job yourself.

STEPS TO REPAIR DAMAGED CONCRETE STEPS:

1} Inspect and determine how much damage is done to the concrete.

2} If you feel the job can be done by you, size up the section and determine how much replacement material you will need to do the job right.

3} Remove and clean the surface area that you are going to fix. You can use a can of air duster to clean out the crevasses deep with in the crack itself.

4} Mix up a small portion of mortar mix and apply it with a mason trial graciously. The mortar should have the consistency of a paste and not be watery. If the mortar mix is too runny, it will not stick or adhere well with the already dry surface. 

5} The first application will look rough and grainy to the touch. It is important to let the mortar dry some before trying to smooth it down to meet the concrete original surface. If the mortar comes off after you have let it dry for a while, just simply add some more until you get the texture and thickness right.

6} Repairing concrete takes time and patience. Once you have patched the damaged portion of the steps evenly once again. You will have to allow a curing time for the mortar to set and dry.

7} Once you have filled all the cracks with new mortar, make sure to put a coat of concrete sealer over the entire area of the steps to prevent further damage in the future.

The use of a concrete sealer, plus the use of silicone to fill not so wide cracks can keep your steps strong for a long time. That is why prevention is the key to having good sturdy steps that will last a life time in the elements. 

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