Making concrete steps less steep can be an important safety consideration, especially for homes with elderly residents or young children. Steep steps can be difficult to navigate and increase the risk of slips or falls. There are a few methods that can be used to reduce the steepness of concrete steps.
Page Contents
Why Reduce the Steepness of Concrete Steps?
Concrete steps with a steep rise can be challenging for some people to use safely. Here are some of the main reasons you may want to reduce the steepness of exterior concrete steps:
- Improve accessibility – Steep steps may not meet accessibility guidelines or building codes. Reducing the rise allows more people to safely use the steps.
- Prevent falls – Less steep steps reduce the likelihood of missteps, tripping, and falls. This is especially important for seniors and young children.
- Increase comfort – Walking up and down very steep steps can be tiring and uncomfortable for many people. Gentler slopes feel more natural.
- Allow for handrails – Handrails become more important with steeper slopes. Reducing the steepness may eliminate the need for handrails.
Evaluating the rise and run of your existing steps is the first step in determining if they are too steep. Generally, a rise of 6 to 7 inches is recommended for exterior concrete steps.
Methods to Reduce Concrete Step Steepness
If your concrete steps are too steep, there are several ways to reduce the steepness:
1. Add a Landing
Adding a landing half-way up the staircase is a simple and effective way to break up longer staircases into shorter flights. The intermediate landing reduces the number of steps you need to climb at once before getting a break. Build the landing at least as deep as the width of the stairs.
2. Widen Steps
Widening concrete steps makes them less steep by increasing the horizontal run. This lessens the vertical rise since the stairs cover a longer horizontal span. However, you need to ensure widening the steps will not exceed building code step width requirements.
3. Rebuild Steps
Completely rebuilding concrete steps is the most involved option, but allows full customization. You can adjust the rise and run to match your needs. Typically, the ideal proportions are a rise between 5 to 7 inches and a run of at least 11 inches. Building new stairs also lets you add a landing for additional relief.
4. Add a Second Set of Steps
Rather than modifying existing stairs, you can add a second, less steep set of concrete steps. This leaves the original stairs in place while offering an alternate route up or down. The second staircase can curve back and forth across the slope to reduce the steepness. Make sure to leave adequate space for the extra stairs.
5. Cover Existing Steps
Covering concrete steps with new treads or risers is the easiest way to reduce steepness without heavy construction. You attach pre-formed stair covers over the original steps to create more gradual slope. The treads extend the run while risers raise the height of each step evenly across.
How Much Can You Reduce the Steepness?
There are some practical limits to reducing stair steepness. Building codes typically specify a maximum riser height of 7 to 8 inches and a minimum tread depth of 10 to 11 inches. Within these constraints, aim for the most gradual stairs possible by:
- Keeping riser height on the low end of code allowed maximum
- Maximizing tread depth near code minimum requirements
- Adding a landing for stairs with total rise over 30 inches
The specific measurements will depend on your existing stairs and space available. Getting the rise and run as close to the ideal 6-inch rise and 12-inch run will maximize gentleness. Consult your local building department for applicable codes.
Safety Considerations
Safety should be a primary concern when altering exterior concrete stairs. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Handrails – Extend any existing handrails after reducing steepness. Handrails become more important as people age. Proper mounting height for handrails is 34 to 38 inches above stair nosings.
- Head clearance – Ensure sufficient headroom of 80 inches minimum is maintained. Watch for ceiling heights if altering interior stairs.
- Lighting – Add lighting to illuminate reworked stairs at night. Wall-mounted or railing lights are good choices.
- Texture – Apply an abrasive coat to make concrete less slippery. Look for textured paints or acid-etching.
- Maintenance – Keep exterior concrete stairs clear of snow, ice and debris. Check that drainage slopes away from stairs.
Permits for Concrete Stair Repairs
Most concrete staircase remodeling projects require building permits. Permits are typically needed when:
- Landing area at top/bottom changes
- Stair width changes
- Rise or run measurements change
- Stair location shifts
- Handrails or guardrails added
Basic repairs like tread coverings or surface textures may not need permits. Always check with your local building department before modifying concrete stairs. They can confirm if a permit is required for your specific project.
DIY or Hire a Pro?
Homeowners with sufficient DIY skills can tackle simpler concrete stair projects like adding treads or paint. However, rebuilding stairs or major changes are best left to concrete professionals. Reasons you may want to have a contractor do the work include:
- Ensuring proper building code compliance
- Getting the new stairs level and stable
- Knowing the right concrete mix design and curing methods
- Having access to necessary tools like a concrete saw
- Managing demolition and disposal of old stairs
There are also some great advantages to hiring concrete stair contractors:
- They have extensive experience altering concrete stairs
- Professional equipment allows more precise work
- You avoid injuries and fatigue doing the labor yourself
- Ongoing maintenance and repairs are handled
- Reputable companies offer warranties
Get free estimates from at least 3 concrete contractors before deciding who to hire.
Cost to Reduce Concrete Stair Steepness
The cost to reduce concrete stair steepness runs from $500 to $5,000 on average. The exact price depends on factors like:
| Project Scope | Simple tread covers cost less than completely rebuilding stairs |
| Number of Steps | More steps equals higher project costs |
| Landing Addition | Landings add significant cost if one needs to be built |
| Surface Area | Wider or deeper stairs use more materials |
| Permits & Fees | Local permit costs vary, around $100-$500 |
| Demolition Work | Removing old stairs adds cost for disposal fees |
| DIY vs Contractor | Hiring a pro costs more but saves labor time |
Other factors like accessibility, lighting, railings, and finishing will also impact the final price. Get professional quotes to find the most accurate estimate for your unique project.
Maintenance for Altered Stairs
Continued maintenance is important for exterior concrete stairs, especially after making alterations. Follow these maintenance tips:
- Seal surface every 2-3 years to prevent damage
- Patch small cracks as soon as they appear with caulk or filler
- Repaint or reapply textures when they start wearing thin
- Keep drainage effective to avoid water pooling near stairs
- Remove any moss, plants or debris growing on stairs
- Watch for erosion undermining stairs or landings
- Salt regularly to melt snow and ice in winter
- Check for loose handrails, lighting or other fixtures
Proper maintenance preserves your investment and keeps altered stairs looking their best and functioning safely.
Conclusion
Steep concrete stairs can make access difficult and hazardous for many people. Reducing the rise and increasing the run creates a more gradual, safer slope. Options like adding a landing, rebuilding stairs, or simply covering existing steps with new risers can help. Follow building codes and consider working with concrete professionals to ensure quality results. With careful planning and construction, you can refresh outdoor concrete stairs to make them easier and safer for everyone to use.