Cleaning the surface of old concrete steps is the first step in restoring them. Remove any wax, grease, or other contaminants with a brush and water. Then mix repair mortar with water and spread it over the step with a brush. Use a trowel to smooth the surface and a sponge to finish it.
If the step is too damaged, you may need to saw through it to break the surface. In addition to staining, there are other minor and superficial problems that can affect exterior concrete installations. To address these issues, you can use Cement All and NewCrete together as a comprehensive solution. It's important to repair concrete steps before the damage gets out of hand, as it can be unsafe as well as unsightly.
Rick Muscoplat, The Family Handyman's expert, will show you how to resurface the concrete after the repair is done so that the old and new concrete match perfectly. Concrete is surprisingly susceptible to staining, just like a white tablecloth. Fortunately, you can repair damage to your concrete stairs with a basic maintenance routine. Concrete step repair and resurfacing can be an affordable way to make your home safer without having to hire a contractor. Before I started, the concrete caps around these brick stairs were cracked, chipped at the edges, and even the landing at the top was missing large chunks of concrete. You should be able to enjoy your resurfaced concrete floors for 8-15 years.
If your walkway isn't cracked all the way through, you can coat it with a concrete resurfacer. This is a non-shrink mixture of Portland cement, sand, and polymer additives that fills voids and gives a uniform finish. This project guide shows how to repair concrete steps, including the corner or edge of an exposed step, as well as further resurfacing the concrete. When the mix hardens slightly, round off the edges with a concrete edger and smooth it with a steel trowel. Over time, a set of concrete steps can often develop stains, cracks or spalling, especially in areas of the tread that receive the most foot traffic.
To prevent this from happening, you should regularly inspect your steps for signs of wear and tear and take action if necessary.
