Concrete is one of the most durable and highly weather-resistant materials in the world. It’s the reason why it’s used to construct outdoor structures, including outdoor steps. 

However, even with its strength and durability, concrete isn’t immune to the daily torments of wear and tear. Eventually, it will start to get damaged and you need to fix it before it has a chance to worsen. 

In case your concrete steps have been looking a little out of shape lately, we have a few ways that will help you repair concrete steps easily:

Superficial Damage 

Concrete starts to chip away slowly and it will be time before you notice a huge problem. However, as it gets exposed to rough weather, it may start to stain a little. 

This means that your steps may end up looking brown and dirty even after you’ve cleaned them. And it’s not just stains that make the concrete steps look bad. 

Even small chips can really mess up the aesthetic appeal of your concrete steps. We’re not talking about large visible cracks here. Small chips that happen along the edges of the steps are so annoying and easily viable for all to see. 

The good news is that there are solutions for these superficial damages and they mostly require you to simply resurface concrete steps. Simply reseal your concrete and it will look as good as new.

Remember:

It’s also important to reseal the steps at least once a year as part of your maintenance strategy. Don’t wait until the steps are completely stained for you to act.

Structural Damage 

Structural issues are far more urgent than cosmetic superficial concrete stair repair jobs and they should be addressed immediately. 

Yes, concrete is strong and would survive for a very long time. But depending on prevailing weather conditions, its structural integrity may become compromised. There are several signs that may indicate the structural integrity of your concrete steps is no longer reliable. 

  • First, large and wide cracks will appear. They often run across the length of the entire structure, in this case, the steps. 

  • Pay attention to concrete corrosion as well. This refers to the appearance of dark brown spots on the concrete. They may vary in size but would normally be significantly widespread. 

The best way to fix structural issues with your concrete steps is to get an expert. These aren’t typical DIY projects and would need professional diagnosis and repair just to be sure the issue is resolved once and for all. It’s also going to incur a higher concrete step repair cost. 

Clear the Debris Regularly 

It’s hard sometimes to know the extent of the damage on your concrete steps if you don’t clear the debris regularly. 

As a matter of fact, if you are always carrying small particles of concrete every time you go up the steps, it could suggest that there’s something wrong. In most cases, increasing debris indicates that your steps are cracking. 

This tends to happen along the edges of the steps and before you know it, these small cracks become huge dents. 

In that case, take your time to clean your steps and gauge the amount of debris you have to remove. If it’s getting more and more every day, then it means the sealant is loose and small particles of sand and concrete are now exposed. Fix it as soon as possible.

Other Important Tips 

It’s also important to avoid using corrosive chemicals when you’re cleaning your concrete steps. 

In most cases, good old soap and water should be enough to clean up the steps, unless you’re dealing with hard stains. But even then, always use homemade and organic materials that won’t damage the strength of the concrete. 

Finally, always inspect the steps regularly for smaller cracks and dents as part of fixing concrete steps. If these are fixed as soon as they appear, then you won’t have to deal with larger, more tedious cracks.

Need some help to repair the cracks in concrete? Contact a local pro and request a free quote!