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!!!

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!

I am terrible and mixing quikrete so all my concrete problems get subbed out.

Thanks for the info! If it would maybe not rain for a few days, I'd give it a shot!!!

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.

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.

Glue motherfucker.

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.

I Wear Pants wrote: Glue motherfucker.

LOL!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Yeah I totally forgot to take a pic last night. I'll do it today, promise!!!

I'd have it subbed out....if you want it done right, pay the money. Steps shouldn't be too expensive.

^^ I didn't ask you capt. negative!!!!!

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.

^^LOL!!!

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.