Brick steps, cover with metal??

[WisJim]

I have some brick steps leading to one door of my house. These steps take a lot of maintenance as any water that freezes deteriorates the mortar and plants start to sprout, etc., so I am thinking of using some kind of tread and nosing covering. I have seen some fairly substantial metal (probably aluminum) stair tread covers on commercial building concrete steps that had been in rough shape, but when I looked them up they seemed to be in the $85 to $125 range per step. Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing? Any other types that have worked well? I have found them made of fiberglass and lighter ones of plastics or rubber, but I'm not sure how they might work on brick, which is not real smooth or even. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[firebirdparts]

Commercially, yes. They were extrusions as you probably figured out by looking, and they have some anchors in the back that you just stick them down into that wet concrete. For your situation, I guess you need something with some screw holes instead.

 

[Youngandfree]

Using some bleach or roundup regularly will eliminate the growth problems

 

[WisJim]

It's not the weed growth that is the major problem, but the deterioration of the mortar and surface of the bricks, and I would hope that covers over the tread and nosing would help keep water out and hold things together.

 

[tinmanwpk]

Metal coverings can be slippery when wet.

 

[Youngandfree]

I'd repair the masonry and use a good paver sealer.

 

[Zeke]

Meanwhile, cut some porch mats.

 

[The Cobbler]

sounds slippery when wet or ice/snow etc.

 

[CraigStu]

Search 'outdoor stair tread covers' for many options. our previous they had added a finished basement w/ a shower that was 2 steps up from the floor to allow room for the drain w/o cutting the slab. It was a nice tile shower but they also made the stair treads of tile. They were slippery and had an almost sharp edge. I got a front door mat and cut it to fit plus 1/2" overhang to shield that edge if someone fell.

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I used something like this and cut it so my cut edge was against the riser and the outer edge had the factory designed edge. You could glue this down w/ your choice of construction adhesive.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Are they right where water pours off the roof when it rains or something? I can see the mortar deteriorating over time but the bricks should be durable. Maybe a canopy over the steps would help. My front steps and sidewalk are brick and are original to this 1913 house, and are still in pretty good shape.