Old concrete steps are vulnerable to chipping, breakage and cracks. When the combination of long years and extreme climatic conditions take a toll on concrete steps causing them to chip, crumble or crack you need to look for an easy way to repair them. Deteriorated and broken concrete steps need to be repaired before someone trips going down or up the steps and gets seriously injured.

Most homeowners feel that repairing concrete steps can be an intimidating and difficult task which requires lots of time and efforts, but actually it is not so. Small or big cracks in concrete steps are easy to repair with minimal efforts. If your steps are in need of repair check out the repair procedures offered below

Concrete Step Repair Methods:

The following instructions are for the repair of concrete steps with small and large cracks. The following tools and supplies that you may need can be purchased at any home improvement supply center:

Concrete bonding agent
Ready mix concrete
Putty knife to smear sealant into small cracks
Cold chisel for removing broken concrete
Wheelbarrow or concrete mixer
Caulking gun and waterproof caulk or waterproof sealant
Wooden float or trowel
Eye protection equipment
Plastic sheeting to cover repair concrete
Sledge hammer to chip away old concrete
Safety gloves

Concrete Repair of Small Cracks:

Small or hairline concrete cracks can turn into bigger cracks that can lead to more serious damage and cause serious injuries. If these cracks are not repaired water may get into them and freeze causing larger cracks and broken concrete. The first step in repairing small concrete cracks is to clean the crack using a wire brush and air from an air compressor. Put waterproof filler and sealant into the length of the crack. Use a putty knife to push the sealant into the crack. This will fill the crack and prevent the water from entering it. Then smooth the surface with concrete and cover the surface for a few hours so that nobody steps on it.

Repair of Large Concrete Step Cracks:

To repair a large concrete crack, remove all the loose and crumbling concrete from the edges of the crack. If necessary use a cold chisel and sledge hammer to break and remove the loose pieces. Cut the bottom of the crack into a reverse 'V' shape, having at least a one inch bottom width. Remove the loose concrete pieces and cover the expanded crack with a concrete bonding agent.

While it dries, follow the manufacturer's instructions to prepare ready mix concrete in a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer to the proper consistency. Pack the prepared concrete mixture into the expanded crack using a float and level it with the surface. Allow the concrete to set for about 30 to 45 minutes and then use an old broom or a whisk broom to create a slightly rough surface to prevent people from slipping while walking on it. Use a heavy plastic sheet to cover the area. Approximately every hour remove the plastic sheet and wet the patch with a mist of water. This will help prevent the concrete from drying too quickly. After a week remove the plastic.

That is all there is to it. Concrete step repair of cracked and broken concrete steps is a relatively easy DIY project. The repaired steps should last for many years.

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