How to Repair Broken Cement Steps

Broken cement steps will need to be repaired

Cement stairs that begin to crack or have edges that are broken can be repaired with new cement. If a cement staircase is old and deteriorating, cracks can form and weathering over time can start to cause the cement to crumble. When this happens you can fix the broken cement steps without having to spend money on replacing the entire staircase.

Things You'll Need

• Hand held brush
• Hammer
• Nails
• Power drill
• 1 inch by 6 inch wood boards
• Screws
• Concrete bonding agent
• Cement mix
• Bucket
• Trowel
• Plastic

Instructions

1. Remove any loose concrete from the old stair by using a brush.

2. Construct a form to place around the broken step. Hammer the ends of two pieces of 1 inch by 6 inch wood boards together to make a 90 degree angle.

3. Place the form over the front side of broken step and mark the location for the screw holes with a pencil. Make a mark on the form and the stair. Holes, for screws, will be needed on the front and side of the form. Pre-drill two holes in the wood form with the power drill.

4. Drill holes into the front and side of the step with the power drill, on the marks you made in step 3. You will need to use a masonry bit with the power drill. Drill the holes about two inches deep.

5. Attach the wooden form to the broken stair with concrete screws. Insert the screws into the holes and tighten them with the power drill.

6. Apply a concrete binding agent to the cement with a paint brush. This will help the new cement adhere or stick to the stair.

7. Add cement mix and water to the bucket by following the directions on the package of cement mix.

8. Pour the cement into the form so that it is level with the existing stair. Smooth out the cement with a trowel.

9. Cover the stair with plastic for at least three days. Wait for the cement to dry and then remove the forms. Take the concrete screws out with the power drill and then separate the form from the stair.

10. Remove the plastic and fill in the screw holes with cement to complete the project.

11. Repeat this process for additional steps that need to be repaired.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not want to use concrete screws you can hold the wood form in place with cinder blocks.

• Do not remove the forms from the staircase until the cement has completely dried.

References

• Ask the Builder: Concrete Repairs 101
• Home Tips: ow to Repair Broken Concrete Step Edges

Resources

• Google Products: Concrete Bonding Agent
• Google Products: Hand Brush