Why steps wear out first
Front steps take constant foot traffic, shoveling, salt and water. On Long Island, freeze-thaw cycles work into any crack, and brick steps can lose mortar or loosen over time.
Because steps are also a safety issue, damage is worth addressing sooner rather than later.
When repair can work
Surface flaking, a few loose bricks or isolated cracks can often be repaired. Resetting loose treads and repointing joints can extend the life of a stoop that is otherwise sound.
Repairs should be done to match the existing materials so the steps still look right.
When to rebuild
If steps have pulled away from the house, shifted significantly or are breaking apart throughout, rebuilding is usually the better long-term choice. It is also a chance to update the look of your entry.
Forte Brick and Concrete builds and repairs steps and stoops in concrete and masonry across Suffolk and Nassau County.