I would like to fix up our entrance steps which have seen better days. The edges look dreadful and I think I'll need to plaster/reshape everything.
Is there a good material that is easy to work with and durable? You can "reinforce" the holes with concrete screws and then the concrete/filling material cures.
That resembles what I did myself about five or six years ago on our old concrete stairs with plenty of frost damage and holes. I cleaned with a pressure washer, then drilled some holes and inserted some concrete screws into the worst holes to act as reinforcement. It’s possible this wasn’t necessary, but that’s what I did.
Then I constructed a form for the steps using suitable boards that were screwed in place. I mixed some Weber mortar for the purpose, smoothed it out so it was even, and covered it with plastic wrap to dry/cure slowly and properly. It turned out well and has held up for many years now. I don’t remember exactly which Weber mortar I used, but I might be able to look it up.
That resembles what I did myself five or six years ago on our old concrete stairs with plenty of frost damage and cavities. Cleaned with a pressure washer, then drilled a few holes and inserted some concrete screws in the worst cavities to act as reinforcement. It's possible this wasn't necessary, but that's what I did.
Afterwards, forms for the steps were built using suitable boards that were screwed in place. I mixed some Weber mix for the purpose, smoothed it out, and covered it with plastic sheeting so it would dry/cure slowly and properly. It turned out well, and has held up for many years now. I don't remember exactly which Weber mix I used, but I can possibly check it out.
No unfortunately, no "before" pictures but trust me when I say it looked worse than what you are showing. All the moss and mold need to be thoroughly cleared away before you start pouring otherwise it doesn't work. Maybe I can arrange some "after" picture after these five years or whatever it might be, when I'm back on site in about a week.
No, unfortunately, no "before" pictures, but trust me when I say it looked worse than what you are showing. All moss and mold need to be thoroughly cleaned out before you start casting; otherwise, it won't work. Maybe I can arrange some "after" pictures after these five years or whatever it may be when I'm on site again in about a week.
What products did you use to really remove all the moss and growth? Algaecide, physical scrubbing?
Only pressure washing with regular water. A good side effect of this is that it simultaneously saturates the concrete with moisture, which makes the current repair mortar adhere really well. Typically, I'm not home right now but will try to check what type of mortar I used.
I remember trying the year before, but this more standard mortar held very poorly and cracked off. I redid it with this Weber mortar intended for this purpose, and it achieved an extremely good durable result. It's a staircase that gets salted every winter, and there have been no problems for several years.
For your staircase, I would also consider applying a stone coating. There are some attractive systems with different shades to check out that give a very neat impression. But this depends somewhat on the conditions and what you want to achieve. I haven't done this on our staircase yet but have considered it.
Only use a pressure washer with regular water. A good side effect of this is that you simultaneously saturate the concrete with moisture, which ensures that the repair mortar adheres really well. Typically, I'm not at home right now, but I'll try to check what type of mortar I used.
I remember I tried the previous year, but this more standard mortar held up very poorly and cracked away. I redid it with this Weber mortar, which was meant specifically for this and yielded an extremely good durable result. It's a stairway that's salted every winter, and there have been no problems for several years.
On your stairs, I would also consider applying a stone coating; there are some stylish systems in different shades you can look at that give a very neat impression. But that depends a bit on the conditions and what you want to achieve. I haven't done this on our stairs yet, but I've been thinking about it.
I am considering applying a layer of plaster/mortar on the entire stairs, not just on the actual repairs. But it feels like a large and extensive project, so I need to know that I'm buying good stuff. I don't want to redo it again next year.
I am considering applying a layer of plaster/mortar on the entire staircase, not just on the actual repairs. But it feels like a large and extensive project, so I need to know that I'm buying good stuff. I don’t want to redo it again next year.
The only thing I can comment on is exactly how to repair the damage you show, as that's what I've done myself.
As for replastering the entire staircase, I hope that more experienced people can step in with advice and tips. I would guess it involves having an appropriate primer to get good adhesion but as I said, I know far too little about this to be able to advise.
That little thing you should be able to fix easily with Ardex A46. I believe it will be waterproof with 2 layers of it; I have started repairing my stairs with it myself. There is a similar thread with good tips.
You should be able to fix that small area easily with Ardex A46. I believe it becomes waterproof with 2 layers of it, I've started repairing my own stairs with it. There is a similar thread with good tips
Yes, that can surely be repaired as you say. But I'd like to refresh the entire stairway since I'm at it. Might look a bit spotty otherwise?
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