Resurfacing Concrete Steps

Outside concrete steps can become damaged or cracked for two main reasons. One is that they are constantly subjected to year-round weather conditions and the other is the amount of foot traffic they are exposed to. For repairs, concrete patches and resurfacing kits are widely available. They do an excellent job of repairing the concrete. This article looks at how to resurface worn or slightly damaged exterior concrete steps.

Tools and Equipment

To do this job properly, you will need to have some kit available. This includes the concrete repair kit, a trowel, a container to mix the concrete in and a pressure washer. You should also wear the correct safety gear, which consists of eye protection, gloves, work boots and a workers overall.

Clean The Area

Many people starting out in DIY jobs fail to realize one key point: The end result will only be as good as the preparation you put in before starting. In some cases, the time spent preparing for a job takes more time than actually doing the job. It is vital that you spend time removing weeds, twigs, dirt and debris from the steps. Once these have been removed, use the pressure washer to thoroughly clean the steps. This will give you an excellent base to work from.

Prepare The Mix

If there are any areas that you don't want the concrete to be, such as the bottom of a wall or the edge of a path, tape them off. Next, prepare the patch as per the instructions. Pour the patch into a container that is big enough to allow you to easily mix and work from. In many cases, you have a limited amount of time to use the patch, as it begins to stiffen very quickly, so only do this when you are ready to start.

Apply And Spread The Concrete

Scoop up a dollop of concrete with one trowel and apply it to the first step. Start with the top step. Then, using a trowel, spread it over the entire step. Work it across the step evenly and use the trowel to get a flat, smooth finish. Work slowly and descend down the steps repeating this process.

Dry For Seven Days

The patch will take around a week to fully harden. During this time, you have to keep the concrete moist. You can do this by lightly spraying the steps daily or you can cover the steps with plastic; the moisture will be retained within the plastic and drip onto the concrete, keeping it moist.

After a week, the concrete steps should be fully cured and ready to be used. 

If upon examining the damage you realise the task might be too large for a DIY fix, consult with concrete contractors to ensure the steps are structurally sound and the repairs get done properly.