How To Fix A Crack In A Concrete Patio Staircase

Although concrete steps are pretty robust, they can be cracked or chipped if something heavy is dropped on them.  Fortunately, cracked concrete steps can be repaired relatively easily if you have a few basic DIY skills and a little spare time.  Here's how to do it.

What you'll need

• trowel
• stiff yard brush
• stiff scrubbing brush
• paintbrushes
• water
• concrete vinyl patch product
• polyurethane floor paint

If you don't already have these items in your DIY kit, you'll find everything you need for this project in your local DIY or hardware store.

How to do it

1. The first thing to do is give the steps a good brush down with a stiff yard brush to get rid of any surface dust and debris so that you have a clean surface to work with.  
2. Now you can set to work cleaning the crack to be repaired.  All you need to do here is scrub the crack with a clean, dry scrubbing brush to remove any bits of loose mortar and other debris.  
3. Once the crack is clean, you can mix up the concrete vinyl patch product.  This substance is made up of cement, sand, and vinyl resin and is perfect for repairing small cracks and fissures in concrete without the need for making up a large batch of cement.  All you need to do is to add the recommended amount of water to the dry product, as per the manufacturer's directions, and you're all set.  
4. Now you can apply the 'patch' to the crack.  To do this, wet your trowel in clean water, scoop the patching material onto it, and apply it to the crack.  Keep the trowel wet so that the patch doesn't stick to it, and smooth the patch over the crack, working the material well down into the damaged area.  When you've finished, the repaired area should appear smooth and flat.  
5. Allow the patch to cure for at least 24 hours before you allow any foot traffic on it.  
6. When the patch is completely dry, you can paint the step with polyurethane floor paint.  It's best to use a paint brush for this job, rather than a roller to avoid waste and to ensure that a good even coverage is achieved.  Allow the paint to dry completely and apply a second coat if necessary.

In conclusion

Don't despair if you discover a crack in your concrete patio staircase; you can easily repair the damage by following the guidelines above. For more information, or if you feel you cannot do this on your own, contact a professional that works with staircases, such as Tarosa Stairs Pty Ltd.