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I live in a 90 yr old house and i think the steps by the garage are still the original concrete. The previous owner had them resurfaced, but that started to come off after one winter. Ten yrs later, there wasn't much left at all and I was left w/ all the steps cracked and one step had even broke off and was unuseable and dangerous. I don't have the thousands of dollars to have new steps poured.

Thanks for looking - This is the area i'm working w/ - the steps go up the left side of the garage

This message has been edited. Last edited by: out on a limb,

i didn't get any "before" pictures except for this bottom step - and it was actually the best looking one.

This is the step in partial state of fixing that had broken off...I use thinset mortar mix that you use for laying ceramic tile. It works well for outside because it has a bonding agent and vinyl additives in it to help it adhere to different surfaces.

On one of my trips to lowes, the grey wasn't there, so i grabbed white...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: out on a limb,

Don't let water damage go unaddressed - I know this, but waiting too long and last fall, this corner fell off - Someone is coming to fix it this summer.

But, i did grab this corner and got it fixed.....It wasn't quite as bad -

The side of the steps also had pieces of concrete falling out in the 2 corners, (didn't get a picture ), but I fixed that, so at least the steps won't fall down now...

And the final project...I do have to paint them - that'll be this weekend after the mortar mix has time to set up real good and the heat and humidity aren't as high. I'll paint them dark green like the shutters in the first picture.

I did this to my front steps 3 yrs ago and they are holding up really well!!! Still look as good as the day i finished! These steps aren't used as much as the front ones.

There's still alot of concrete repair to do, but this project is done - and i'm resting for now. I have the retaining wall in the alley to patch and then the cracks in the garage - but again - that'll be another day!!

It's definitely not a pro job - but looks pretty good (I think) And I have about $70 in it.

Nice work. Hope you'll post again when painted.

Im impressed. Good job. what I like is that to get to the garage you leave the house and walk down all those steps!!! Love that feature in old houses!

Martha

You're right Linerhof!! Old houses definitely has a lot of cool things that new construction doesn't have or you pay an arm & leg for.

I will post a picture after I get them painted. I do have the paint for the steps - but don't have the paint for the garage. SW has paint on sale 40% this weekend coming up I think...gotta look at the coupon.

I do live in a neighborhood that perfection isn't required - almost perfect works, and I'm glad. There are definitely some suburban neighborhoods that I could not get away w/ this level of repair - but thankfully, here, this looks great!

I love older homes compared to new ones. I've driven myself looney a long time with the mentality that everything has to be perfect. Our home is 64 years old and I started to think of it this way...a 64yr. old person would have wrinkles and maybe a few scars, so I see the cracks in my home as its "wrinkles" and imperfections as "scars". Makes me feel a little better about everything not being perfect.

You did a wonderful job.

Wanda

You did a great job! Give yourself a pat on the back- you deserve it!

Very nice repair job!

It looks great!!!

What a difference! This is the kind of project that isn't all that creative- but a year from now you will be thinking... "Wow, did I really DO that? I'm AWESOME!"

Or at least, that's how I see it.

You are awesome!

Tomatoqueen - it doesn't even take a year!!! I already look at it in amazement!!! I am looking forward to painting it this weekend and it looks all purty!! I'll post pictures when it's painted.

BTW - the garage is actually attached to the house - from the garage, I enter into the basement. The only house in the area that has an attached garage - most garages are off the alley!

I'm standing and applauding your efforts and results! You did a great job!

ML - my brother told me that if this teaching gig doesn't work, I have something to fall back on!! LOL!! In some ways, this was "easier"

Great job ! Your talents are so diversified - from quilting to cement repair.

Such a clever solution for your steps. Great job on the DIY project. Did you find your coupon for the paint?

i finished the garage and steps today...I like it alot!!!! When i finish patching the retaining wall in the alley, I will also paint it the same green....

even took spray paint to the door handle - it's really more of an Oil-rubbed bronze - this looks copper - both are still better than the rusty aluminum color.

then the entire flight of steps from the street up. One project done, another hundred and twenty eight thousand to go....sigh....

Your hard work paid off! Looks good!

100% improvement, looks nice!

What a nice rewarding finish for this job!

Fabulous improvement!!!

Your steps look fantastic and it is very impressive that you did this job yourself.

Were the house on the market I can just imagine the listing: "Very well maintained vintage home!"

Thanks ladies...i tore up carpet in my bedroom to stain woodwork and to get ready for new carpet in a couple weeks. The floors underneath are beautiful, but i do like carpet in my bedrooms - and I got too good of a deal on the carpet!! Someone else can refinish the floors and enjoy them.

just one question..did you use a sand-based paint for traction?? noticed you don't have an handrail of any kind...is this the only access to the house?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sjf,

Wow, you did a super, duper job! I love the nice contrast that the green provides, and I'm so impressed you did the work yourself. A little know how and a lot of hard work can save a person BIG bucks. Give yourself a pat on the back.

~Lady50

Once again a can of paint has made a whole Lot of difference. It looks great. What is the color please? I can imagine you painting down each step and then running around to get back in the house. LOL.

You have done a nice job on them and the door!

quote:

Originally posted by sjf:
just one question..did you use a sand-based paint for traction?? noticed you don't have an handrail of any kind...is this the only access to the house?

Yes, there is sand in the paint. I got the paint at SW and had them put it in there. Although, they also stopped making the floor paint in a gloss finished - my preferred sheen for outside - probably due to the slickness factor. The floor paint now only comes in a satin finish.

No, thankfully, it's not the only entrance into the house. I use this access the least. The garage is attached to the basement, and that is actually the entrance that I use the most. There is another exit off the other end of the back porch that allows me to walk down the alley.

I had someone else mention a handrail, and never really thought that there wasn't one til then. The only time i really use those steps is when I am accessing the water faucet that is located on that side of the house.

Beau's Rose - the color is Laurel Woods from SW. It is a real dark green.

Those are great, they remind me of the stairs into my grandmother's basement of her old house. Patched and painted and patched and painted and a little bit lumpy.

You did a great job !! Quite an undertaking. Is there is patio over the garage? Looks like a flower pot up there.

"Patched and Painted and patched and painted and lumpy" LOL!!! That's perfect description wendek.

GeorgiaPeach - there is a patio/deck above the garage and also an enclosed back porch w/ lattice work - you can see that in the first picture.

When I bought the house, i thought that area above the garage would have me "on show" when sitting out there - but it is pretty private.

Becca - I sit in awe of your talent and tenacity !!!

Your home is gorgeous and the new steps are beyond description. You deserve to be and should be quite proud of yourself !!!

Wow! They look fabulous -- A lot better than I could ever do. Come pour me a concrete foundation for our new house.

That looks great! I can tell you sure have put a lot of work into it. It has paid of ten fold.