Brick & Stone Steps Repair & Build
Safe, beautiful steps that enhance your home's curb appeal and protect your family from hazardous walkways.
(573) 530-1210
Why Safe Steps Matter for Your Home
Your front steps are more than just a way to get into your house. They are the first thing visitors see, and more importantly, they need to be safe for everyone who uses them. Loose bricks, cracked stone, or uneven surfaces create serious safety hazards. One wrong step and someone could get hurt. That is especially true during winter when ice and snow make things even more dangerous.
Here in Columbia, MO, we see a lot of older homes with brick and stone steps that have shifted over time. The ground beneath them settles, water seeps in, and freeze-thaw cycles do their damage. What starts as a small crack can quickly turn into a major safety issue. We help homeowners fix these problems before someone takes a fall.
Beyond safety, your steps are a big part of your home's curb appeal. Damaged steps make your whole property look run down, even if everything else is in great shape. When you repair or rebuild your steps, you are investing in both safety and value. Real estate agents will tell you that a strong first impression starts at the front door, and that includes the steps leading up to it. For related improvements, check out our masonry services that can transform your home's exterior.
Common Step Problems We Fix
Over the years, we have seen just about every type of step problem you can imagine. Some are easy fixes, while others require a complete rebuild. The good news is that we can assess your situation and give you honest advice about the best solution. Sometimes a simple repair is all you need. Other times, rebuilding from the ground up is the smarter long-term choice.
Issues That Need Professional Attention
- •Cracked or broken bricks and stones that create tripping hazards
- •Loose or wobbly steps that shift when you walk on them
- •Crumbling mortar joints between bricks or stones
- •Settling or sinking steps due to poor foundation
- •Water damage causing deterioration and staining
- •Uneven step heights creating accessibility issues
- •Missing or damaged handrails and support structures
When we come to your home for a free assessment, we look at the overall condition of your steps, check the foundation and base, and identify any drainage issues. Water is often the root cause of step problems. If water pools around your steps or does not drain properly, it will keep causing damage no matter how many times you patch things up. Our tuckpointing and repointing services can also help restore deteriorating mortar in your steps.
Should You Repair or Rebuild Your Steps?
This is the big question, and the answer depends on a few factors. If your steps have minor damage like a few cracked bricks or worn mortar joints, repairs might be all you need. We can replace damaged bricks, repoint the mortar, and stabilize any loose areas. This approach saves you money and gets your steps back in safe working order quickly.
But if your steps have major structural problems like a failing foundation, extensive settling, or widespread damage, rebuilding is usually the better choice. Here is why: when you rebuild, we can correct the underlying issues that caused the problems in the first place. We excavate down to solid ground, build a proper foundation with good drainage, and construct new steps that will last for decades.
The Rebuild Process
When we rebuild your steps, we start by carefully removing the old ones. Then we prepare the site with proper excavation and a solid foundation. We use high-quality materials that match your home's style, whether that is classic red brick, natural stone, or a combination of both. Every step is built to exact specifications with proper height and depth for safety and code compliance.
We also make sure your new steps have proper drainage so water flows away instead of pooling around the foundation. This prevents future damage and extends the life of your investment. If you are updating your entire front entrance, our brick repair and restoration services can complement your new steps beautifully.