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Need to fix concrete steps

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Need to fix concrete steps
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
May 17, 2010 3:28 PM
I like to try and fix things myself if at all possible. Our steps up to the front of our house has some pretty significant cracks and busted up concrete. I have never dove into concrete repair before. Is it something I could do and make look decent or is it best to just pony up and get some estimates. I aplogize for not having any pics to put up. Maybe I can do that tonight, in between raindrops!!! :)
May 17, 2010 3:28pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
May 17, 2010 3:33 PM
Clean up the steps, get out any loose dirt of anything, slap up some boards for a frame, mix you up some concrete, pour it in the frames, smooth it out, let it cure for a while, and voila!

But really, it's not difficult at all if you are even the slightest bit handy. I'd recommend putting some kind of screen down before you pour your concrete in though, kinda helps make it a little stronger. And DON'T use salt on your steps next winter! That KILLS them! You'll be doing the same thing over again!
May 17, 2010 3:33pm
gerb131's avatar

gerb131

Senior Member

9,932 posts
May 17, 2010 3:35 PM
I am terrible and mixing quikrete so all my concrete problems get subbed out.
May 17, 2010 3:35pm
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
May 17, 2010 3:36 PM
Thanks for the info! If it would maybe not rain for a few days, I'd give it a shot!!!
May 17, 2010 3:36pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
May 17, 2010 3:37 PM
Get some epoxy and fill in the cracks. Then go to Lowes and get a bag of quikrete concrete repair. You don't HAVE to frame it, but I would recommend it.

Good call by GoChiefs on the mesh. You can get it panel of it cheap at Lowes. Probably like $7 or $8, but well worth it.
May 17, 2010 3:37pm
S

SnotBubbles

May 17, 2010 3:40 PM
Unless you're doing 3-4" of concrete on top of the existing...the patch will crumble....

1) Thank you for not calling it "cement."
2) If you want to fix it right, you need to remove the entire tread that is damaged and replace.
May 17, 2010 3:40pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
May 17, 2010 3:43 PM
Glue motherfucker.
May 17, 2010 3:43pm
mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
May 17, 2010 3:43 PM
Its best to take them out and start new. Make sure you get good concrete. You can buy step forms at lowes but you have to make sure you measure them out right so that you dont have a trip hazard. take measurements of the steps there now will help with this. make sure you have a good base of gravel under the steps. You have to keep everything level and things will be fine. If you pay someone to do it it could cost about 500 to 800 just for the steps if you have a sidewalk i would reccomend doing it all at the sametime if you hire someone. Gonna cost more but the concrete will be cheaper cause of having more of it. If you can get 5 yards it takes it from about 130 a yard to 90 a yard. depends how much the guy you hire ups his price. I would reccomend taking it all out yourself cause demolition costs quite abit more for a contractor to do it. If you have more questions i can prolly answer them too. Not sure where you live but if your close to me I can recomend someone for yea.
May 17, 2010 3:43pm
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
May 17, 2010 3:56 PM
I Wear Pants wrote: Glue motherfucker.
LOL!!!!
May 17, 2010 3:56pm
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
May 17, 2010 3:58 PM
Thanks Mcburg! I'll take a pic of it tonight to put on here. We actually have brand new sidewalks that the town put in last summer so all of that is cool it's just the last couple steps up to the house.
May 17, 2010 3:58pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
May 17, 2010 4:02 PM
SnotBubbles wrote: Unless you're doing 3-4" of concrete on top of the existing...the patch will crumble....
I actually had that issue when I first moved into my house. The steps were f*cked up, so I just patched them and the next winter, they were destroyed again. The second time around though, I just put the screen down and this concrete epoxy shit before I poured the concrete. That's been 3 years ago, and it has held up so far.
May 17, 2010 4:02pm
THE4RINGZ's avatar

THE4RINGZ

R.I.P Thread Bomber

16,816 posts
May 17, 2010 4:26 PM
Use a product call rock tite or something along those lines if you are filling in cracks and or skimming it along the top. Ask at your local home improvement place for it. They use it to cement anchor bolts into concrete floors. You mix it like regular concrete but it bonds and dries harder.

GoChiefs is correct proper cleaning and debris removal is the key here. Taking your time through the whole project and doing it right will eliminate having to do it again in a couple of years.
May 17, 2010 4:26pm
skank's avatar

skank

Senior Member

6,543 posts
May 17, 2010 4:30 PM
GoChiefs wrote:
SnotBubbles wrote: Unless you're doing 3-4" of concrete on top of the existing...the patch will crumble....
I actually had that issue when I first moved into my house. The steps were f*cked up, so I just patched them and the next winter, they were destroyed again. The second time around though, I just put the screen down and this concrete epoxy shit before I poured the concrete. That's been 3 years ago, and it has held up so far.
You're right, they have held up pretty good, I never slip on them when I'm running out the door trying to get dressed at the same time.
May 17, 2010 4:30pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
May 17, 2010 4:33 PM
skank wrote: You're right, they have held up pretty good, I never slip on them when I'm running out the door trying to get dressed at the same time.
So..that's the reason my dog always acts like she's done something wrong when I get home from work? Leave her alone you sick bastard!
May 17, 2010 4:33pm
D

Dthane

Senior Member

169 posts
May 17, 2010 11:24 PM
How wide are we talking? Two feet? Eight feet? If you take them out will you have a good base? As far as level, we really want them to have a slight fall away, don't we for draining purposes? I am not a professional, but have done and helped on a few concrete projects over the years.
May 17, 2010 11:24pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
May 17, 2010 11:26 PM
vdubb96 wrote: I like to try and fix things myself if at all possible. Our steps up to the front of our house has some pretty significant cracks and busted up concrete. I have never dove into concrete repair before. Is it something I could do and make look decent or is it best to just pony up and get some estimates. I aplogize for not having any pics to put up. Maybe I can do that tonight, in between raindrops!!! :)
Good buddy of mine has been doing concrete for 12 years or so now and is recently out of work (he is moving to Florida at the end of the month so when they needed to do a small lay off for the lack of work he was the one to go) and I am sure he would do it for you for a much smaller fee than any normal contractor. Send me pics and where you are located in a PM if you are interested.
May 17, 2010 11:26pm
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
May 18, 2010 8:04 AM
Yeah I totally forgot to take a pic last night. I'll do it today, promise!!! :)
May 18, 2010 8:04am
RedRider1's avatar

RedRider1

Senior Member

3,850 posts
May 18, 2010 8:11 AM
I'd have it subbed out....if you want it done right, pay the money. Steps shouldn't be too expensive.
May 18, 2010 8:11am
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
May 18, 2010 8:42 AM
^^ I didn't ask you capt. negative!!!!! :)
May 18, 2010 8:42am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
May 18, 2010 9:22 AM
Wow! I to like to do the fix up whenever I can …but some jobs I know I can handle and other jobs I just don’t know if I want to take on what I don’t know. I always look at the idea if I screw it up what the cost of redo……….. another factor is time …time How long will this job take to complete and when does it have to be completed, if it something I can do in two weekend or something I can do whenever I want then I will do it myself. If there is a time factor to be completed then that job get sub out.
Note: I have started a project that I thought would take a few weekends but lasted 2 years. I built two large round three feet high retaining walls around two large maple trees out of old side walks. Three dump trucks of old side walks to be scored, cut and stacked with 25 tons of fill top soil and planted ivy. Looks great and the wife loves it …will never do that ever again.
May 18, 2010 9:22am
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
May 18, 2010 9:31 AM
^^LOL!!! :)
May 18, 2010 9:31am
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
May 18, 2010 10:27 AM
I have some steps that need fixed also. I'll be doing it myself. Mine had a brick inlay along the front edge of each step, and they finally fell apart and the concrete around it as well.

I have gotten all the loose stuff and cleaned it up well. I'll be forming it up and repairing with quikcrete. Also using the bonding agent to help.
May 18, 2010 10:27am