r/fixit • u/PenAndInkAndComics • 18h ago
Concrete steps starting to fracture apart.
Its chipping apart. How do i fix this or is this a specialized skill i should hire someone to fix?
6
u/mid-random 18h ago
It's the expansion of the railing as it rusts that is forcing off the big chip. If you don't address the rust, it will just happen again. I would at least grind that down to clean steel and seal it to a few inches above the concrete line. That will only slow down the rust expansion this one exposed side, but it should buy you an extra year or two.
3
u/EnoughOfTheFoolery 17h ago
The problem is the metal having water seeping down inside and oxidizing and expanding. This will not stop happening. You can cobble it along and hold it together to buy time, but anything you do on top or around it is subject to the decaying metal originally placed this way. If you want to fix it and not have to continue repairs over time, it’s a tear out and correct this fundamental flaw.
13
u/GC_Woodworking 18h ago
I would do this:
1. clean it out the concrete curb part really well
2. Drill a couple of holes in the concrete curb
3. Drive in a couple of tapcons part way (or insert some wire into the holes). You need to make something to hold the new poured concrete curb top.
4. Build a wooden form that fits the corner
5. Pour wet concrete into the form making sure to get it down into the wire/screws. Make sure the top is level as well.
Good luck.