How repair stairs without replacing?

Suzie Rosendahl
by Suzie Rosendahl

My concrete front stoop 4x4 has sunk on one side about 3-4 inches. Anyway to build up without total replacement?

  8 answers
  • William William on Feb 22, 2019

    No way to build it up. Somehow it will need to be propped up to level or replaced.

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Feb 22, 2019

    Yes, mud-jacking. You will need to hire this out, but it is surprisingly affordable

  • Mainiebets Mainiebets on Feb 23, 2019

    Hi Suzie!

    There could be several reasons this has happened. Could be the footings weren’t prepared properly causing the foindatiom slan to shift. Could be you have a water issue. Is there a downspout nearby? Try redirecting the water away from the stairs. Are your gutters clogged causing overflow? Either way the stairs need to be repaired. Best bet is to get a few pros in for estimates at least to find out what the problem is first and then take it from there. Good luck!

  • Pat Evans Pat Evans on Feb 23, 2019

    Same happened here...dig out in low spot enough to get scissor jack placed..then lift until level and secure with brick for support.

  • Saskie Saskie on Feb 23, 2019

    Build a wooden frame to level, apply a cement adherent, and pour new cement over it. We had this done many years ago and it is still good. May want to have a professional do it.

  • DORLIS DORLIS on Feb 23, 2019

    ANOTHER PROBLEM COULD BE MOLES OR GROUNDHOGS BURROWING UNDER THAT SIDE. I had that one. First you would to move them out, block their access to the area and then you can level it.

  • Wanda Altmayer Wanda Altmayer on Feb 23, 2019

    You always want to direct water away from your house. You could have a soil cave under the stone, dirt just shifts and moves out of the soil under the patio or stone if the area had not been properly tamped during installation, but I think it usually Mother Nature's advice to move that water away from the steps, house, patio, anywhere you do not want drown your house.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on Feb 23, 2019

    They can actually lift the concrete for you.