How to Repair Cement Steps

Over time, even properly poured concrete steps can develop small cracks or chips. These imperfections can lead to greater damage as the concrete is subjected to the freeze-thaw cycle and water expands within these cracks. To prevent the need to completely replace the steps, repair any identifiable damage as soon as you notice it. Even large cracks and chips are worth repairing if the concrete is generally in good condition.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cold chisel
• Ball peen hammer
• Safety goggles
• Garden hose
• Stiff bristled brush
• Concrete bonding agent
• Synthetic bristled brush
• Concrete patching mix
• Trowel
• Board
• Bricks
• Plastic sheeting

1. Enlarge the crack or chip using a cold chisel and ball peen hammer to create a reverse V shape in the concrete. The base of the enlarged crack or chip should be at least one inch wide, with the surface of the crack being noticeably narrower. Be sure to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes during this step.

2. Flush the newly exposed surface with water from a garden hose, rinsing away any debris. Use a stiff bristled brush to further remove any fragments, and then give the area a final rinse with the hose.

3. Cover the surface of the crack or chip with a concrete bonding agent using a synthetic bristled paintbrush. Allow the concrete bonding agent to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions before adding concrete -- 15 minutes is standard.

4. Mix enough concrete patching material to fill any imperfections. Measure precisely, following the manufacturer's instructions. Too much or too little water could cause the patch to crumble over time.

5. Push the concrete patching material into a crack using a trowel. Fill the crack completely and then smooth the patch until it is flush with the surface of the step. Use the stiff bristled brush to lightly scratch the surface of the step to create rough texture that will prevent slips in the future.

6. Push a board against the riser of the step for corner chips. Cut the board so it is flush with the riser, and then brace it against the riser using bricks to hold it into place. Then you can fill the corner chip with concrete patching material using a trowel. Don't forget to roughen the surface lightly with a brush.

7. Cover the top of the patch with a piece of plastic sheeting. Every day for a week, remove the sheeting and mist the concrete with water, then recovering the patch. At the end of the week, remove and discard the plastic sheeting and any supporting form work.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent the concrete from sticking to the form work, many professionals use a light layer of cooking oil brushed onto the area that will touch the concrete patching material. Many people use the terms cement and concrete interchangeably. However, cement is actually the glue that holds together concrete, which is composed of cement, water and aggregate. Be sure when purchasing patching materials, you purchase a bag of concrete, not cement.
• Hairline cracks do not merit concrete patching, but they can cause larger cracks over time. Fill these cracks with silicone caulk to seal out moisture and prevent further damage. Be sure to clean any materials you use to patch the concrete as soon as possible. Concrete can cure underwater, making it essential that tools be wiped clean before the concrete sets.

References

• Fixing Chipped Concrete Steps
• Repair Concrete Steps
• How to Repair Broken Concrete Step Edges