Concrete is an ideal material for exterior steps for a lot of reasons. It is durable, it holds up to the weather well, it is not subject to rot, and it doesn’t need as much maintenance as wood. Yet concrete steps are not perfect. They can sink, crack, and show other signs of damage. It is not uncommon for contractors to recommend complete replacement of damaged concrete steps. However, we offer another alternative. Concrete step repair is often possible simply by lifting the affected steps. By returning them to a level position, underlying problems can be addressed without the need to completely replace them.
Leading Causes of Deterioration
One of the things we most appreciate about concrete steps is that problems associated with them are fairly easy to diagnose. Concrete steps are generally compact and with a limited footprint. So unlike foundations and driveways, there is a lot less to look at when diagnosing a problem.
Having said that, the leading causes of concrete step deterioration are pretty straightforward:
- Poor Soil Compaction – Contractors should compact the soil before pouring concrete steps. If they fail to do so, or they don’t do it properly, the soil will not be able to support the weight of the steps. It will naturally settle and compact over time. This leads to sinking and cracking.
- Soil Erosion – Soil underneath the steps may be subject to erosion. Poor drainage could be the culprit. Rather than draining away from the house and steps, water is flowing underneath and washing soil away. Steps could then sink due to a lack of supporting soil underneath.
- Other Soil Problems – Soil can be problematic even when erosion is not a concern. For example, perhaps a home is built on land with a relatively high water table. A summer or two of drought could create very dry soil conditions which then lead to sinking.
There are times when concrete damage has nothing to do with sinking. Perhaps a set of steps was not allowed to cure properly when first poured. Perhaps the ratio of concrete materials and water was not correct. These kinds of issues are not helped by concrete raising. Instead, cracks are filled and sealed so they do not get worse.
Signs You Need Concrete Step Repair
Any cracks in concrete steps definitely demand the homeowner’s attention. If the steps are sinking or separating from the house, filling cracks should be sufficient. Sinking steps are another matter entirely.
Here are signs suggesting you need concrete step repair:
- Visible Sinking – If your steps are sinking enough to be visibly noticeable, you obviously need to think about repairs. Sinking concrete rarely stops sinking by itself.
- Visible Separation – Likewise, concrete steps that are visually separating from the house are a sign that there is something seriously wrong. It needs to be dealt with right away.
- Cracks on One Side – Concrete is brittle enough that it can crack even if it remains perfectly level. However, concrete steps are somewhat unique due to their bulk. Cracks appearing as the result of sinking do not tend to be haphazard. They tend to appear on one side and have a tendency to run toward the sinking portion.
- Routine Puddles – Routine puddles that form on the steps whenever it rains could be a subtle sign that they are in the early stages of sinking. If your steps are sinking, the puddles will consistently occur in the same place. You will be able to tell how much sinking is taking place by observing a puddle where it appears deepest.
If your concrete steps exhibit any of the signs, you probably don’t want to wait too long to address them. Take a good look and see if you can figure out what is going on. Feel free to call in The Concrete Raising Company if you cannot determine the issue.
Don’t Ignore Sinking Steps
Sinking steps do not have to be a problem if you address them early on. Should you choose to ignore the problem, you run the risk of it getting worse over time. Enough time and damage could ultimately mean having to rip out the steps and pour new ones.
Why take that chance? Completely replacing concrete steps is time-consuming and expensive. Even if removal and replacement occurs in one day (and that’s rare) you probably won’t have use of the steps for at least a few days after. That makes the repair inconvenient as well as expensive.
Ignoring cracked and deteriorating steps only leads to more damage and:
- higher repair bills
- potential safety issues
- potential damage to the house.
Saving the money now rarely pays off in the long run. The longer you let concrete step repair go, the greater the chances you will spend a lot more to fix them later.
The CRC Concrete Stair Leveling Solution
Concrete step repair is one of our specialties here at the Concrete Raising Company. We have been raising and repairing concrete steps in the Salt Lake City area for years. Our repair process is based on the time-tested principle of mudjacking.
Also known as slab jacking, mudjacking involves drilling holes in strategic locations across the affected concrete. We then insert tubes through which we inject a filler material. That material fills in the soil and pushes up the concrete above. Once the steps are level, we remove the tubes and seal the drill holes. The filler material cures in place for a permanent repair.
Repair, Don’t Replace
Unless your concrete steps are suffering from extensive damage, they probably do not need to be replaced. We say repair them instead. Raising sinking concrete steps is an effective, safe, and fast way to repair them without having to rip them up and start over. Contact us today to repair your concrete steps.