Going over concrete steps with wood?

[AceofSpad3s]

I have some not so pretty steps out front that need some repair and are somewhat unsightly. They are not in bad shape, but the repair material turns out to be a light grey with a smooth finish, the original stuff is a more of a tan at this point due to age, has sort of a pebble finish, doesn't look very nice.

I would like to go over them with wood, but I have some concerns. The steps are already about as large as they can get, so I can't just frame out a new set and go over them or it would be a very awkward set of steps. Tearing out the slab isn't an option worth the time or effort. The only thing I could think of was running some boards length wise along the steps and fasten them to the concrete to uses as a mounting location for the boards going across the steps. My main concern about doing this was trapping moisture right on top of the concrete and the boards going lengthwise being too thin (probably only a inch or so) for the screws attaching the decking to hold on to.
Anyone do something like this that could chime in with thoughts or any better ideas?

 

[Marctrees]

If you are asking for opinions..... Photo(s) ?

Marc

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Old repair from years ago started coming off, cleared most of the loose stuff on the bottom step and filled it in with some gravel to keep it from anyone from tripping until I either fix up the concrete or go over it with the wood.

 

[southalabama]

Wood on concrete doesn't mix well.

I'd patch what I had with cement based product or similar and then paint them with a good concrete floor paint with anti skid material in it.

Don't mess up the dimensions of the steps.

 

[finn]

Rent an electric Hilti jackhammer, build forms, and pour new steps.

The Hilti will have the steps out of there in no time.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Wood on concrete doesn't mix well.

I'd patch what I had with cement based product or similar and then paint them with a good concrete floor paint with anti skid material in it.

Don't mess up the dimensions of the steps.

Can I skim coat over the existing texture with plain old Portland cement and paint it later on or I need a some additive agents due how thin the coating would be?
I got some bonding agent for the large hole at the base of the steps.

Rent an electric Hilti jackhammer, build forms, and pour new steps.

The Hilti will have the steps out of there in no time.

Not willing to open up a can of worms over some minor aesthetic problems.

 

[doublearon98]

I'd just go over it with portland

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[The Cobbler]

anything you do there is a patch
I would at minimum knock out the treads & re pour them
as a temporary fix, tapcon some deck boards or trexx on the treads. but that will change your rises top & bottom treads
pour some hi strength grout would work, but it's a temp fix IMO

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I Porcelain tiled mine about 15 years ago and still looks great. Mind you my concrete was not breaking down.

 

[meboatermike]

I like the idea of using a high strength grout or another repair materiel to patch and smooth out the problem areas. Then go over the whole steps with porcelain tiles as "Miss the Pontiacs" said.

I patched some holes in my daughters concrete steps and they have lasted almost 2 years so far and they are exposed to snow, freezing and thawing in the winter.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

anything you do there is a patch
I would at minimum knock out the treads & re pour them
as a temporary fix, tapcon some deck boards or trexx on the treads. but that will change your rises top & bottom treads
pour some hi strength grout would work, but it's a temp fix IMO

If I get another 3 years out of the repairs like the last ones, then I can't cry about much. Don't plan on staying in this particular house long enough to reap the benefits of tearing out the whole slab. Maybe if it was a back step but I've never done much large concrete work so giving it a go in the most visible location of the house would make me hesitate a bit.

I'm less concerned about making it look beautiful, more just making it less noticeable.

 

[meboatermike]

I don't know if you are in an area exposed to freezing or not but if you did the repair on the face of the top platform on those steps and it has lasted 3 years then then I would just go ahead and grout the repairs you need especially if you only plan on being there for 3 years.

You may need a few boards to cut and fit for temporary forms on some edges along with a trowel and level etc. My daughter and I did her repair and it came out fairly good actually and I am no expert at masonry work but willing to take a stab at stuff.

Just go for it, the worst that can happen is you might have to do it a 2nd time or go a different route later.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Adding wood will also mess up the rise of the steps, creating a trip hazard - depending on how it would be done, either the first step will end up taller than the rest or the final step to the landing will be shorter.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I don't know if you are in an area exposed to freezing or not but if you did the repair on the face of the top platform on those steps and it has lasted 3 years then then I would just go ahead and grout the repairs you need especially if you only plan on being there for 3 years.

You may need a few boards to cut and fit for temporary forms on some edges along with a trowel and level etc. My daughter and I did her repair and it came out fairly good actually and I am no expert at masonry work but willing to take a stab at stuff.

Just go for it, the worst that can happen is you might have to do it a 2nd time or go a different route later.

No repairs to the very top near the door besides the broken corner. Anything light grey in the picture is what was worked on, mainly the two corners and the bottom step. The top area by the door has been always clean besides the corner. Don't remember exact, but its been 2 or 3 years. Saying only be here for 3 years will probably bite me, said only 3 years 3 years ago too, that's why the corner wasn't too pretty, thought we'd be moving soon, and look how that worked out
The second step has a bit of a over hang like the bottom and had no mechanical reinforcement which is why I think it broke. I was thinking of drilling some holes and putting some threaded rod to at least give it a fighting chance.

 

[ddawg16]

As you already know, wood is NOT a good idea.

If it was me? Stone or tiles. There is plenty of stuff out there that is non-slip. You could do the same thing for the main porch....and it would really dress it up.

The other option....jack hammer it out and do it over.

 

[ddawg16]

Or.....do like I did with our side door....the first step was really too close to the door....so I built a form and just extended everything.

In your case you could extend the top out about the distance of one step and then make new ones having the proper tread and depth

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've seen an epoxy with small pea size colored rock mixed in and laid over poor concrete. That would prevent any freeze/thaw from happening and it looks good too. IIRC it was about 1/2" thick.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

As you already know, wood is NOT a good idea.

If it was me? Stone or tiles. There is plenty of stuff out there that is non-slip. You could do the same thing for the main porch....and it would really dress it up.

The other option....jack hammer it out and do it over.

If you go up the stairs step down to the right the front porch is over on the side, it's red decking and white for the posts and ceiling.
This picture is pretty narrow, doesn't do the house much justice, about the only thing that doesn't look good is those stairs.
Part of me was hoping I could somehow pull off using wood or composite to match the porch and front door but if it can't be done properly it isn't worth doing at all.

That tile idea you mentioned sounds interesting.
If I went with just repairing the cement, even if I manage to do a absolute perfect job, at best they'd still look like regular boring concrete steps. Tile/stone sounds like it's look nicer and be a bit more forgiving. What sort of costs would I be looking at for the outdoor stuff?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd be breaking them out and repouring. Not much more work than trying to repair or cover with wood.
If you want cheap, easy and wood look repair use vinyl shelf paper.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have seen on Homes and Homes them using a trowel on rubberized product that was attractive and would fix your problem. You might try and see if you could find it. Otherwise the epoxy with pea gravel would be a good fix.

 

[RustyJunk]

I've done a lot of sucessful concrete repairs on industrial sites but you need to get the right materials. I use these guys, you tell them what you want to do and they'll set you up.

https://conspecmaterials.com/

 

[Doug Arthurs]

I would remove steps. Cover slap with wood then make wooden stairs to replace damaged ones.