The settling and cracking of a stoop or steps may result from several issues, such as:
- Foundation failure
- Poorly compacted soil
- Sinkholes
- Expandable clay
Settled or cracked stoops are commonly a sign that a foundation is failing. Often, front stoops and steps are built directly on fill dirt, which is usually uncompacted, right outside of the house. With time, these features may settle as the soil consolidates. Additional symptoms of foundation failure include windows and doors that stick, sloped floors, bowing walls, floor and wall cracks, and a saggy ceiling.
How to Fix Settling Front Steps
The best option to repair settling front steps depends on their size. In some instances, you may need to remove and replace the stairs, and in others, you can use polyurethane or mudjacking.
When the concrete below the pavers is weak, crumbling, and brittle, you may need to completely remove the porch and steps and re-build them from scratch.
How to Fix Settling Stoops
Before you begin repairing your stoops, you should consider matching the brick and make sure that the foundation is on firm ground. Foundation piers, also called helical piers, can add additional support, but they will also make the project more expensive.
How to Prevent Stair and Stoop Failure with Brick Masonry
Brick surfaces are very strong, but they are susceptible to the elements, particularly water. To prevent brick deterioration, focus on limiting the effect of water on steps and stoops by ensuring proper drainage.
Contact Boxley Hardscapes
Regular brick home maintenance is a simple and effective way to maintain the structural integrity of a house. Homeowners should stay vigilant and address minor issues now so that they can avoid expensive problems, such as foundation repair, later.
At Boxley Block, Brick, and Hardscapes we are eager to work with homeowners, contractors, and architects to procure quality building materials needed for jobs of any size. Visit our showrooms in Lynchburg and Roanoke, Virginia to browse the variety of choices and innovative products that can help bring your client’s design dreams to a reality.