How to fix a loose concrete step
A loose concrete step can be repaired as a DIY project using specialized concrete patching compound or anchoring cement if the damage is minor. The main difficulty is determining whether the structural integrity is compromised enough to require a professional mason, which stops homeowners from starting the repair safely.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 17.5× more often in r/HomeMaintenance than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Using construction adhesive like Liquid Nails for a quick fixDid this help you?
- 2Chiseling loose bits and reapplying mortar or wet cementDid this help you?
- 3Hiring a masonDid this help you?
- 4Replacing the handrails due to rust jackingDid this help you?
- 5Accepting that repairs will only be short termDid this help you?
- 6building a wooden form and pouring concrete mix reinforced with rebarDid this help you?
- 7filling the hole with sand and framing it up with QuikreteDid this help you?
- 8Remove dirt underneath the stone to level it outDid this help you?
- 9Use an angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel to grind down the stone yourselfDid this help you?
- 10Hire a stone mason or hardscape contractor to fix it or quote a replacementDid this help you?
- 11Power washing to remove the remaining paintDid this help you?
- 12Building wooden steps overtop using plastic shimsDid this help you?
- 13Stripping the paint, pressure washing, drying, and applying a roll-on truck bed linerDid this help you?
- 14Sistering new concrete onto the stepsDid this help you?
- 15Pulling the steps entirely and resetting the baseDid this help you?
- 16Using a bottle jack or car jack to raise the concrete steps and filling the void with crushed gravel or filler materialDid this help you?
- 17Instructing visitors to use the back entrance instead of the front stepsDid this help you?
- 18Triaging and prioritizing other urgent home repairs like the roof and electrical before tackling the stairsDid this help you?
- 19Injecting the perimeter of the entire step with a tube of concrete or mortar fixDid this help you?
- 20Allowing the steps to settle and move independently, eventually replacing them if neededDid this help you?
- 21Attempting DIY patch repairs using concrete or masonry sealantsDid this help you?
- 22Using spray foam or backer rod to fill the void followed by patch cementDid this help you?
- 23Applying pre-mixed mortar with a trowel on vertical repairsDid this help you?
- 24Breaking out the concrete for a more permanent fix using screws and mortarDid this help you?
- 25Calling a concrete leveling company to lift the slabDid this help you?
- 26Using foam jacking to raise it from belowDid this help you?
- 27Packing the gap with non-shrink grout or a concrete patch in layersDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“The walkway leading up to the stairs on our home has a significant gap under the first step. Is there an easy way to patch this? Some sort of concrete patch or similar?”source ↗
“Cement stairs with this huge hole, packed with sand and dirt and some roots. The rest of them is suprisingly sturdy, cant chip that ridge with a hammer at all.”source ↗
“I have a concrete staircase going to my front door. The bottom corner has broken off, any tips on how or where to start repairing?”source ↗
“Sistering new concrete onto those sunken steps is tempting, but it will crack off in a season, you need to pull them and reset the base”source ↗
“As you can see, the steps have pretty large cracks. What can I do at this point? Is there a way to save it?”source ↗
“these bottom two steps have "sunk" over the years and it makes them tricky to climb.”source ↗
“The concrete steps have a gap between them and the foundation as shown in the pictures. How should this be fixed. This is a new construction and the builder says it is minor settlement and does not require any repairs.”source ↗
“Our front steps seem to have a painted concrete layer that is coming off of the base of concrete steps.”source ↗
“I don't even know where to start on fixing this.”source ↗
“At this point I think these steps and railings are a safety issue and we instruct everyone to come around back to enter.”source ↗
“The railings are now pulling the steps apart and are just barely holding on by the weight of the last pieces of brick and slate (I think that's slate) on top of the anchors.”source ↗
“The walkway up to our house has a raised section of stone. I know that over the years the space between the house and street has shrunk causing this stone to buckle. I feel I just need someone to shave a 1/4 inch off it.”source ↗
“Is this something I can do myself? What would I use?”source ↗
“Who would I call to fix? A stone mason!?”source ↗
“The cement step on my front steps has come loose, I’m a bit stumped on how best to fix this, and it seems like a major hazard.”source ↗
“I’m not sure if this is something I could do myself as an amateur or should hire a professional.”source ↗
“That's my concern. Will this be temporary? Itsc real fix breaking it.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 28How to fix concrete cracks near garage foundation
- 7Concrete slab sloped toward the house
- 5Painted concrete basement floor keeps dusting and crumbling
- 6How to fix yard grading under existing paving stones
- 4How to tell if bad patio installation is poor workmanship
- 2How to fix a flat exterior window sill that pools water