Lifting and Leveling Your Uneven Concrete Steps: Everything You Need to Know
February 20th, 2023 | 3 min. read
By Sarah Etler
Learn how you can avoid the hassle of replacement by repairing the concrete steps you already have with concrete leveling.
If you’re tired of constantly warning friends, family, and guests to watch their step when they come to visit, it may be time to consider a solution like concrete leveling.
Concrete step leveling is a non-invasive way to lift your uneven steps, without the high cost and large hassle that comes with totally replacing them.
Over the last 30 years, A-1 Concrete Leveling has been perfecting the art of lifting concrete, and in this time we’ve helped countless homeowners get the safe, even, and level steps they deserve.
Here at A-1, we know the choice of how to repair and preserve your home is a big one, and for that reason, we want to make as much information available so you can be as informed as possible about all of your options.
With this in mind, we’ve put together this guide that will walk you through all things concrete step lifting, including what it is, why it’s important, how it’s done, how much it costs, and why steps settle in the first place.
What is concrete step leveling?
The goal of concrete step leveling is to bring your settled steps back as close as possible to their original position in order to help prevent trip hazards and restore the look of the concrete.
If one step is taller than the others, you have multiple steps with mismatched heights, or the steps are settling to one side, professional concrete leveling can help get them even and safe again.
How Concrete Step Leveling Works
The concrete leveling process for concrete steps works the same as all other concrete leveling applications, but rather than drilling through the concrete slab, we drill through the step.
The steps for lifting and leveling concrete steps are as follows:
- Strategic holes are drilled through the entire height of the concrete step
- Any voids below the steps are filled with leveling compound and the steps are slowly lifted back into place
- The leveling material becomes a new base for the stairs to rest on, and the drill holes are sealed off
How much does it cost to lift sunken concrete steps?
To have your concrete steps leveled, you can expect to pay anywhere between $900 to $2,400.
The price may be higher or lower depending on the circumstances of your individual repair, like how many adjoining concrete slabs must be lifted in order to create an even grade without trip hazards.
Related: What Influences the Cost of Concrete Leveling?
Why do concrete steps settle?
Like most concrete, concrete steps settle due to poor soil compaction, water erosion, soil expansion and contraction, and animals making a home underneath them.
Related: Why Concrete Settles
Steps are especially susceptible to settling due to water erosion from downspouts or overflowing and leaky gutters. Most people have both of these things nearby their concrete steps, which can lead to settling if not monitored and controlled.
If the flow of water from the downspout is hitting the base of the concrete steps, it will wash away the soil holding the steps in place over time. Similarly, if your leaky gutter is constantly dumping water in the same area, it can also wash out the soil under the steps and cause them to settle.
Redirecting downspouts away from your steps and other concrete slabs, and ensuring gutters are cleaned out and repaired, are two of the most important ways to get ahead of concrete step settling.
Why is it important to have even steps?
Having steps that are even in rise and depth is super important to help reduce the likelihood of injuries due to trips and falls.
The thought of loved ones or guests tripping and getting hurt on your steps is bad enough, but as the property owner, you can also be held liable for any injuries or damages caused by the unsafe stairs.
Uneven or improper stair height and depth are among the many building code violations that can land you in hot water if someone gets hurt on your property.
Is concrete step lifting right for you?
Now that you’re more familiar with concrete step leveling, you can decide if it’s an option you’re ready to consider for your settling concrete steps.
At the end of the day, having even, level steps is an important part of maintaining your home’s safety, but we know you may still have more questions before working with us. For this reason, we have a whole page dedicated to answering the 8 Most Common Concrete Step Lifting Questions.
Here at A-1, we know how important it is for you to have all the facts before committing to a repair method, so that’s why we created an entire library of free resources related to all things concrete repair and maintenance. Check out these related Concrete Academy topics:
- How Long Does Concrete Leveling Last?
- Sealing Where Concrete Meets a House
- When Is Concrete Too Far Gone for Leveling?
Are you ready to see what concrete lifting can do for your settled or sinking steps? Click the link below to request a free onsite estimate with a member of the A-1 Concrete Leveling team!
Click Here to Find Your Nearest Location and Receive a FREE Estimate
Sarah Etler joined A-1 Concrete Leveling after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northern Kentucky University. As A-1's Content Marketing Manager, she works closely with industry experts to produce content that will best answer questions related to concrete repair and maintenance practices. Sarah loves living a life full of discovery and is excited every day to see what new things she can learn and share with those around her.
