Don't Let Your Steps Become a Hazard

by Kevin Smith Author

Most houses have a two or three-step stairway that leads to a porch landing and the entrance to the home. These steps and porch are the first thing visitors see, and they are what makes the first impression. If your steps are worn out or cracked, or if there are gaping holes in the porch, it sets the tone of what to expect from the rest of the house. The inside of your home can be impeccable, but if the entry is in disrepair, people will have the wrong impression even before opening a door. Repairing a chipped corner of the step or patching up a hole is a fairly easy process, requiring only a few tools, some cement, and a bit of your time. Here's a quick tutorial on how to repair concrete steps and porch:

Steps to Follow When Repairing Steps

If the corners of your steps have been mutilated over time, you can easily repair them.

First, clear away any dirt or debris and wet down the surface. This will prevent any moisture from the cement mix to be absorbed into the existing concrete.
Mix the cement patcher to a wet consistency.
Wearing gloves, place some of the mix on the damaged area with your hands.
Add more cement patcher to the mix to thicken it up.
Use a trowel to place more material on the surface and, as it stiffens up, shape it with the trowel to form a corner.
Use a brush to smooth away existing seams and to blend the repaired area to the existing concrete.
Let the cement set up for 24 hours.

Fixing Larger Areas

If your area needing repair is larger than a corner, you will need to set up a frame, using a piece of wood and some bricks to hold it in place. Then, follow these steps:

Mix the concrete to a peanut butter consistency.
Fill the frame with the concrete, using a trowel to transfer the concrete into the form.
Smooth the top of the new concrete with the trowel, making certain it's the same level as the rest of the step or porch.
Brush with a dry brush to feather the edges into the existing concrete.
Let set for 24 hours before removing the frame.

With just a little time on your part, your steps and porch can be good as new if you follow these instructions on how to repair concrete steps and porch.