DIY: How to Repair Concrete Steps

Although many people think that concrete step repair is a difficult job, if you follow some basic guidelines it need not be.

Concrete steps in old houses are liable to chip, break and crack. In an extreme climate, they can also flake or crumble. Concrete step repair is not just a matter of aesthetic but also one of safety. A trip on cracked or broken concrete steps could easily lead to someone being seriously injured. Whether the cracks are big or small, concrete step repair is something you shouldn't be afraid of attempting.

So how do you go about carrying out a concrete step repair job?

Before starting any concrete step repair job, you need to make sure that you've got all the tools and materials you are going to use, specifically a concrete bonding agent, ready mix concrete, clear silicone caulk, a putty knife, a chisel, a wheelbarrow or a mixer for concrete, a caulking gun and waterproof caulk, a wooden float, eye protection, plastic sheeting, a sledge hammer and safety gloves.

Although small or hairline cracks may not appear to pose a problem, over time they can become bigger if they are not repaired. Water will eventually get into them and if it freezes they may also expand.

The first step in concrete step repair is to clean the cracks using a piece of wire or an air compressor. Place some clear silicone caulk, a waterproof filler and sealant, along the crack and with a putty knife insert it into the crack, filling it and preventing any water from entering it. You then need to smooth over the surface with concrete and cover it for a few hours while it dries.

Concrete step repair with large cracks is slightly different. You need to get rid of all the loose and crumbling concrete with a chisel or sledgehammer before making a 'V' shape cut in the crack at least one inch wide. Cover the crack with a concrete bonding agent before mixing the concrete itself in a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer and using a wooden float to pack it into the crack.