Steps seperated from house

[Jimmyash84]

Hi guys, this is my first discussion on a topic....ever.

Had a look on forum couple of times before but stuck with this one.

I decided to take away side walls of steps (bad condition) and render sides but I have large gap between front of house and the concrete steps.

Could I just fill the gap with more concrete? Is there a bonding agent I'd pour in beforehand? Or would this make the problem worse over time?

Any other ideas would be appreciated, thanks

Untitled

• Jimmyash84
• 7 Apr 2015
• 1

Untitled

• Jimmyash84
• 7 Apr 2015
• 1

Untitled

• Jimmyash84
• 7 Apr 2015
• 1

Untitled

• Jimmyash84
• 7 Apr 2015
• 1

 

[footprints]

Looks to me as though the foundation for the steps ( doubt there is much of one though) is sinking causing the steps to tilt.

This might be permanent or simply seasonal ground movement where the ground will expand / contract with the weather conditions.

Filling the whole void might cause trouble if the steps try to move back again.

I think I would just make good down the sides, and make up some shuttering to try and repair the porch step so it overlaps the gap onto the steps.

It may well crack out again if the gap opens or closes but will not cause any stress if the steps move back at worst it should just crumble out.

 

[Jimmyash84]

Thanks for the quick reply footprints, could you advise how to make up shuttering? Up until 2 years ago I wouldn't have known the difference between gloss and emulsion but became a keen DIYer (through lack of funds, not choice) so still learning

 

[footprints]

Shuttering or formwork is just a temporary mold made around the edge of the step to make the shape of the item you wish to construct.

In your case you need to build a little 3 sided "wall" of plywood or timber sitting on the edge of the step next to the crack, stuff a bit of something in the crack to stop the cement falling through into the gap (screwed up newspaper or corrugated cardboard will do whatever you have to hand) then having cleaned the edge of the crumbled porch stone. Coat it with waterproof PVA following the instructions on the tin for dilution (this will help the bond to the old stone) and pour in your cement mix and tamp it down. Big jobs use a concrete vibrator to shake it down but to avoid the comments about Ann Summers products we had better leave it there

This sort of idea, but you will fit a couple of bits of batten each end to the board to space it off enough to come out past the crack.

http://www.diy-extra.co.uk/repairing-concrete-steps.html

Unfortunately it is very unlikely you will match the existing stone step for colour

 

[Jimmyash84]

Haha, no problem.

Thanks again footprints for the detailed reply, very helpful and some weight of my shoulders

 

[Nige F]

You might like to look up "granolithic screed" because that's what you have on the steps with those anti slip strips set in Brilliant craftsmanship there that outlasted the bricks.