How to fix sunken concrete stairs?

[Sanju]

Hi everyone,

I need advice on repairing my sunken concrete stairs. I'm considering two approaches:

Temporary cosmetic fix:

• Fill gaps with cement
• Apply floor paint
• Question: Do I need a primer before painting?

Permanent solution options:

1. Is foam jacking/lifting a viable solution for raising the sunken side?
2. Would replacing the entire staircase be more cost-effective?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you!

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, @Sanju. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about staircases.

If the paint that’s already on the stairs is still in good shape, you can just give everything a really good clean to get rid of dirt, mould or algae and then paint straight over. No need for primer unless you’ve got flaking or bubbling patches showing through.

A quick fill and repaint can definitely freshen things up for now, just keep in mind whether the slope itself is creating any safety issues.

For a more permanent fix, foam jacking can work well, but the cost often comes pretty close to replacing the whole staircase. It might be worth getting a couple of quotes for both options so you can see what makes the most sense. Rebuilding can sometimes be the better long-term investment, especially for peace of mind.

Let me mention @Dave-1 and @Nailbag to see if they have any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Nailbag]

Hi @Sanju 

Looking at the side walls of the staircase, it's very clear as you have stated, the issue is purely on the fact the stairs have dropped significantly. You would need to access the rear of the stairs and establish whats causing this. It might be simply softening ground over time or something a little more serious like long term water build up. In either case any issue would need to be rectified but would require the staircase to be first lifted higher than its correct position first.

As @MitchellMc mentioned foam jacking maybe a good option, though will depend on how soft the ground is underneath. I would say the stairs are wedged into place being on such an angle. It might also  be possible for a machine to lift it up and out from the front, rectify the ground and refit the steps. The concern would be that they may simply crack during this process.

If you aren't set on concrete steps, you could simply hire a demolition hammer for half a day, then purchase a Merbau stair kit set or a gal steel stringer set and then your choice of tread.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @Sanju 

Your steps look like they are in good condition so paint wise you dont really need to touch them up other then cleaning them. They do have a bit of a dip tho...

I have never had a quote for foam lifting, have seen the videos galore and it seems easy but the cost is never shown so it tends to make me hesitate to walk the path.

I would probarlly go the path of redoing them. That way you can sort whatever the reason why they have sunk on the left hand side, sunsidence, water, compacting material. I have found all sorts of things used as "fill" under my paths and steps. Do the steps appear to be 4 set pieces or toattly constructed in place? My old steps looked like they were solid but turned out to be made of pavers... and not even interlocked pavers at that lol

Dave

[Sanju]

Thanks a lot for the advice @Nailbag. Looks like it's not just stairs but side walls as well. I had a closer look and even side walls level is different. Ie: One whole side is sunken. When you say long term water build up, can it be something do with poor/blocked drainage? Something I need to investigate further in that case. 🤔

[Sanju]

Thanks @Dave-1. Redoing the stair seems to be the best option here. 

[Nailbag]

Hi @Sanju 

In that case I think the best solution would be to dig out the soil about 2' away from the right side wall thats dropped. Then break the wall and the steps down, which you can easily do yourself. Once the rubble is gone you will be better placed to establish the cause, which could be a number of things. Such as  long term water build up from leaking plumbing to even rain water resting there in a low point of the land. In any case I am hopeful that it shouldn't be too difficult to have established and resolve. 

The you could either build your own steps as per previous post or get a bricky in to replace what was there. This would be more sexy, but would keep within the same look of the home in that area.

Nailbag

[Sanju]

Awesome advice. Thanks a lot @Nailbag 

[Nailbag]

Your welcome and please keep us in the loop of your progress @Sanju