How to repair concrete porch step

[missd]

Hi All

I have a porch with red tiles and a concrete step up to them.

The problem i have is that the step is falling apart and you can see the metal rods inside.

How is the best way to fix this, smash it out and start again with step, pour new concrete over the top?

The step doesnt go all the way to the ground, so would it be best to do this or keep it as is with a gap underneath.

Thanks in advance

DM

 

[Penners]

The step doesnt go all the way to the ground, so would it be best to do this or keep it as is with a gap underneath.

Do you mean that the step cantilevers out from the wall? This sounds a bit unusual. If it is the case, then the safest option might be to completely renew it. However, on the basis of a few sentences of description, it's very hard to tell. Are you able to post a picture?

 

[missd]

Thanks for the reply.

Ok, so im not great at describing things!!!!

I will take a photo tonight and post it tomorrow.

But yes the step starts from tiles (level with bricks of house) and finishes out further than then house.

Ok, best wait for photo!!!

DM

 

[Penners]

Apologies is you know all this, but you can't post a photo directly into your forum message. You have to upload it to one of the many free photo posting websites and then post its URL between two clicks of the "Img" button.

 

[missd]

Hi

No i didnt know about not posting images direct, thanks.

Please see photos at [http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/martina_dudley/album?.dir=e4dcre2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/martina_dudley/my_photos]

Thanks in advance for advice

DM[/img]

 

[Penners]

It's a bit difficult to see from the photos whether the quarry tiles are flush with the non-tiled concrete on the front bit of the step, or whether their edge is still above the concrete.

If the latter (and assuming that the cracks in the edge haven't made the whole step unstable), I think my solution to the problem would simply be to continue the quarry tiles out horizontally to the edge of the step and up the vertical edge. Make sure you ask the tile supplier to sell you a weatherproof tile cement.

If the cracks in the front edge of the concrete have left loose bits, I would dig these out and fill the cracks with mortar, ensuring that this is thoroughly dry before you tile over it. Paint the cavities in the concrete with PVA before you fill them, and incorporate some PVA into your cement mix.

Would that be visually satisfactory for you?

 

[missd]

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

The concrete is actually flush with the tiles.

We have to option of either keeping current tiles (dont know if original) and treating them to make them look good, or we could rip it all up and put knew stuff down?

Thanks
DM

 

[Penners]

They don't look like anything special - just ordinary quarry tiles (no offence!). I certainly wouldn't rip them up - as the existing tiles are flush with the concrete, I think I would leave them where they are and lay a new layer of quarry tiles over the whole porch, including the edge of the step as described in my last post.

 

[mark_j_k]

Personally, I'd be tempted to replace the concrete step with stone.

 

[Penners]

I'm making a snap judgement on the basis of the thin evidence of the photos, but it looks as though the house might be a typical between-the-wars property. If so, then the red quarry tiles are probably in keeping, so I still think that they'd look best.

 

[Moo]

If the concrete doesn't reach the ground, then what is holding it up?
Are there other houses in the street with a similar step? That gap looks like what my mother would have called a muck-harbourer

 

[Penners]

I'm sure your Mum is right, Moo. Goodness knows what germs could be lurking in there.

It needs a good do with Vim and a scrubbing brush.

:wink: (oops - sorry!)