Brick & Stone Steps Repair & Build

Why Your Steps Need Professional Attention

Steps are one of the most important features of your property. They connect different elevations and provide safe passage for you, your family, and your guests every single day. When steps start to fail, they become dangerous. Loose bricks can trip people, crumbling mortar creates uneven surfaces, and settling causes steps to shift out of level. What starts as a minor annoyance quickly becomes a serious liability.

Fort Wayne weather is particularly hard on outdoor steps. Our freeze-thaw cycles put enormous stress on masonry. Water seeps into tiny cracks during the day, freezes overnight, and expands to make those cracks bigger. This happens over and over each winter, breaking down even well-built steps over time. Add in the salt and deicing chemicals we use to keep steps safe in winter, and you have conditions that accelerate deterioration.

We specialize in repairing damaged steps and building new ones that handle local conditions. Whether you need to fix a few loose bricks on your front steps or build a complete new stairway from your yard to your door, we have the experience to do it right. Proper construction techniques and quality materials make steps that serve your property safely for decades. Check out our homepage to see all the masonry services we provide to Fort Wayne homeowners.

Signs Your Steps Need Repair or Replacement

Catching step problems early prevents dangerous situations and saves money on repairs. Here is what to watch for around your property.

Settling and Tilting

Steps should be level from side to side and have a slight forward slope for drainage. If your steps have shifted so they tilt to one side, or if they have pulled away from your house or landing, you have foundation problems that need immediate attention. Settlement usually means the base under your steps has failed, and the problem will only get worse. Ignoring settling steps can lead to complete collapse, especially after heavy rain or spring thaw when the ground is saturated.

Loose or Missing Materials

Bricks or stones that rock when you step on them are dangerous. They can shift suddenly and cause falls. Missing pieces leave gaps that collect water and accelerate damage to surrounding areas. The mortar between steps should be solid and flush with the surface. If you can easily scrape mortar out with a screwdriver, or if you see gaps where mortar has fallen out, your steps need repointing work soon. These problems often show up alongside other brick repair needs around your home.

Cracks and Deterioration

Vertical cracks in step treads or risers often indicate that the steps are under stress from movement or poor support. Horizontal cracks usually mean freeze-thaw damage has broken the surface. Spalling, where the surface of bricks or stones flakes off in layers, shows that water has penetrated deep into the material. Once deterioration reaches this point, repairs become more extensive and expensive.

Safety Hazards to Address Immediately

Call for professional help right away if you notice any of these conditions:

• Steps that wobble or move when you walk on them
• Large gaps between steps and the house or landing platform
• Steps with severely uneven surfaces that create trip hazards
• Missing or badly damaged handrails on steps more than three risers high
• Water pooling on step treads instead of draining away
• Visible signs of structural failure like major cracks or sections pulling apart

How We Build Steps That Last

Quality step construction requires more than just stacking bricks or stones. We follow engineering principles and building codes to create steps that are safe, durable, and beautiful.

Proper Foundation and Support

Steps need a solid foundation that extends below the frost line, at least 36 inches deep in our area. We excavate properly, compact the subgrade, and pour a concrete footing that supports the entire structure. Skipping this step to save money creates steps that will settle and fail within just a few years. For steps attached to your house, we ensure proper connection to the foundation so everything moves together as one unit.

Code-Compliant Design

Building codes specify step dimensions for good reasons. Risers, the vertical part of each step, should be consistent in height and typically range from six to eight inches. Treads, the horizontal surface you step on, need adequate depth for safe footing, usually at least 10 to 11 inches. We design steps with proper slope for drainage and adequate width for comfortable use. Handrails are required for steps with more than three risers, and we install them at the correct height with secure mounting.

Material Selection and Installation

We help you choose materials that match your home style and budget. Brick steps offer classic appeal and come in many colors. Natural stone creates an upscale look with unique character. Concrete pavers provide durability and design flexibility. Whatever you choose, we install everything with appropriate mortar, proper joint spacing, and attention to water drainage. Steps often connect to other features like walkways and driveways, and we design these elements to work together visually and functionally.

Repair vs Rebuild Decisions

Sometimes repair makes sense, and sometimes starting over is smarter. Minor mortar work and replacing a few damaged bricks costs much less than rebuilding. But if your steps have major settling, structural damage, or widespread deterioration, rebuild gives you better long-term value. We evaluate your steps honestly and recommend the most cost-effective solution. Our repairs come with the same attention to quality as new construction, using techniques that ensure the fixed areas perform as well as the original work.

Common Questions About Brick and Stone Steps

Here are answers to the questions Fort Wayne property owners ask us most often about step repair and construction.