How to Repair & Patch Porch Steps

Porches provide a warm and welcoming gateway into your home. But what to do when your porch says "Come in" and your worn steps are saying "Stay away"? Weather, age and traffic all play their part in step deterioration. Whether concrete or wood, maintaining stairs is an important part of any home repair regimen.

Things You'll Need

• Wire brush
• Concrete grout
• Patching cement
• Trowel
• Scrap plywood
• Circular or handsaw
• Lumber
• Hammer and nails or drill and screws
• L brackets (optional)
• Prefab steps (optional)
• Prefab wooden stair parts (optional)

Instructions

Concrete Steps

1. Examine concrete steps for cracks, chips or other signs of wear. Check for balance and levelness to avoid falls. Shifts in position are a prime cause of damage to concrete stairs. Check safety rails for looseness. Any loose or broken areas should be repaired as soon as they are noticed, to avoid larger, more costly step repairs.

2. With a wire brush, scrape away any gravel or flaking concrete that will keep repairs from adhering. Larger pieces should be saved if they are tight fitting. Many times they can be reattached. If the repair extends to the face of the stair, you will need a form---a board or frame used to keep concrete in place as it dries. If it is in the middle of the step, a piece of plywood supported by a few bricks will do the job. For corners, nail two pieces of plywood together and set enough weight against it to hold it in place snugly on the corner.

3. For simple small cracks, use driveway sealer or concrete caulk to seal the area to avoid moisture and further decay. For flaking or broken areas, use a trowel and vinyl patching cement. Quikcrete is an excellent product for patching porch steps and comes premixed in small quantities. Smooth the cement into the damaged area, refitting any available pieces, and allow it to dry before using the steps. For more badly damaged stairs, consider replacing them with prefab concrete stairs available at home centers and mobile home retailers.

Wooden Steps

1. Check wooden steps for loose or missing boards and rot, which can weaken stairs. Check for balance and levelness, and check that handrails are tight. Thoroughly assessing the damage is essential before repairing porch steps.

2. Use a drill and screws or hammer and nails to tighten loose boards. If they are past that, remove broken or rotted boards and using them as templates cut new pieces from treated lumber for a long-lasting repair.

3. Attach new steps and boards with screws for the strongest joints, and add a fresh coat of paint for weather resistance. Add "L" brackets to loose rails, or replace with prefab iron or wooden rails from your local home center. Prefab stringers, risers and treads can be purchased as well for a quick and simple step repair or replacement.

Resources

• Prefab concrete steps
• Prefab wooden steps and parts