I realized the hard way this morning (when I tripped) that the steps leading up to my house are very loose, to the point where the bluestone slabs that make up the steps are falling forward as you put some weight on them.
Since the winter, a lot of what I guess is mortar/cement has broken off and fallen out of the spaces on the sides of each slab. I supopose it was a quick repair made by the previous homeowner. Now that all of that stuff has fallen out, the stairs are loose and one slab has actually slid forward about 3 inches from its base (don’t know what the base material is since I haven’t removed the slab yet).
Any tips on making 1) a quick repair for safety and/or 2) a long-term repair? I need to make them safe ASAP, but I don’t want to do anything that would screw up a long-term repair, especially if it involves calling in a mason.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Michael
Replies
post some pictures Michael
(please)
carpenter in transition
I installed some bluestone on my existing concrete steps last year using a masonry adhesive. Was recommended by a landscape contractor/mason. I think the brand was Lexel. Came in a caulk tube and worked great.
I put a bead under the bluestone treads and laid them right over it. After it cured, I filled the gaps between the stones with mortar.
As long as you clean the surfaces, the stuff will stick to anything. Good luck.
That is all well and good, but he describes a situation where the mortar is deteriorating - how bad is anyone's guess. Nothing will stick to mortar going bad. Somebody needs to determine what the actual problem is
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Correct. I thought after hitting the POST button that I should have stated "assuming the substrate is in good condition."
michael..... a mason would make quick work of the repair and also give you a quote on rebuilding them
that's what you need... a mason, or someone who can do masonry repairs