How to Repair Concrete Steps in Under 2 Hours

Use either a wire brush or a hammer and chisel to knock off any loose bits of concrete from the damaged areas. Avoid using the wire brush to scrub away surface dirt and stains, as it can scratch the concrete.

If your concrete appears to be heavily damaged or weak, you might need help from a professional or possibly even a total step replacement. If you start chipping away loose concrete and find that even more pieces start crumbling off, we suggest pausing and calling a pro.

 Mix up a batch of concrete according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Stir thoroughly to get rid of any lumps. We recommend using a quick-setting concrete since the repair won’t be structural in nature. Quick-setting concrete cures much more quickly, so your steps will be usable sooner. The consistency affects the flow rate of the concrete but also how it bonds to the existing steps and how quickly it cures. 

“Be extra careful in the mixing phase,” says Matt DiBara, Expert Review Board member and owner of DiBara Masonry. “For flat repairs, you typically want the consistency of thick pancake batter; for corners, add a little less water, so it forms more of a putty.”

If you’re repairing corners, create a makeshift form to hold the concrete’s shape as it dries.

• Screw or duct-tape two wooden boards together to make an L-shaped form. Make sure they create a 90-degree angle.

• Spray the form with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking to the concrete. Alternatively, you can use two pieces of melamine to create the form. Concrete will not stick to the smooth surface of these boards. If you’re repairing concrete steps leading to a porch, we recommend you cover the porch with a contractor bag to prevent any concrete from dripping on it. If it does drip, spray the wet concrete off with a hose before it dries.

• Lay the L-form flush with the top of the step.

• Duct-tape the L-form firmly in place or use clamps, if possible, to prevent the concrete form from shifting as you work.

Using a paintbrush, apply a thick coat of concrete bonding agent to the areas you’ll be repairing. Before you apply the concrete, ensure the bonding agent is not puddling or dripping. For best results, you want it absorbed into the concrete but still damp to the touch.

Grab your trowel and scoop out some of the new concrete you mixed onto the areas where you applied the bonding agent. If you’re fixing step corners, press the concrete firmly into your wooden form.

Next, use the flat side of your trowel to smooth the concrete until it is flush with the stair’s surface. Use firm pressure to fill in any holes.

While the concrete is still wet, brush the surface with a concrete finishing brush or a masonry brush if your existing concrete steps are textured. This is a particularly important step if you’re repairing a large area on the surface, as smooth concrete can become slippery when wet.

Concrete is strongest when it dries slowly, as the chemical curing process continues if there is moisture remaining in the concrete. To maintain a healthy level of moisture, it’s best to cover the repaired section of concrete with a contractor bag and tape down the edges to trap moisture inside. This is not a necessary step, but we do recommend it especially for corner repairs, which are more susceptible to future damage.

Allow the concrete to dry overnight or however long the instructions specify. Once it’s dry, you can remove the wooden form if you used one, and your concrete steps should be as good as new.

However, if you find your steps remain uneven, chipped, or sunken, this could be a safety issue. We recommend you call a concrete step repair specialist near you to have a professional repair done if problems persist or return quickly.