How to Repair Concrete Steps

For all their durability and ease of maintenance, concrete steps can become worn after a while. The corners and edges of stair noses can chip away through ordinary use. The abuse can be even more pronounced when heavy items like boxes and hand trucks are hauled up and down the steps.

Repairing your concrete steps is simply a natural component of the steps’ lifecycle. You can repair cracked or chipped concrete steps quickly and easily with a few basic materials and tools found at your local home center.

Concrete Step Repair Basics

Concrete steps whose tread noses or corners are chipped can be repaired by first cleaning the area, then sculpting a replacement section with concrete and a margin trowel.

For small repairs, no form is necessary. The trick to a successful repair without using a form is two-fold: preparation and rapid sculpting.

First, the concrete area to be repaired must be flawlessly cleaned of all debris, dirt, dust, and moss, as any of those can cause the repair section to fail.

Second, since concrete sets quickly, you will need to work relatively quickly. Concrete becomes hard to the touch in about 10 minutes. Plan the contours of your intended patch before you mix up the concrete.

Why You Should Repair Your Concrete Steps

Besides the risk of injury to yourself or your family, you are legally liable for injuries that occur on your property. Keep yourself, visitors, and delivery people safe by repairing your concrete steps.

From a physical standpoint, once the concrete has been allowed to deteriorate in a minor way—through spalling (flaking or peeling), small breaks or chips, de-lamination, cracking, or blistering—further deterioration occurs exponentially. Catching the problem early on is critical to preventing rebuilding the steps entirely.

Codes, Regulations, and Permits

Your community may not require you to apply for a building permit for minor concrete step repairs. Whether or not you are required to have a building permit for the project, you should always adhere to the building code pertaining to steps.

When to Repair Concrete Steps

In the interests of safety, hazardous concrete steps should be repaired immediately. Be mindful of the temperature ranges of the concrete repair product you will be using. Concrete applied below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit often may not cure or will cure exceedingly slowly.

Safety Considerations

Avoid breathing concrete products’ dust since exposure may irritate eyes, nose, and lungs. Wear a mask, gloves, and safety glasses.