Because exterior stairs are attached to foundations or stoop footings, ground settling and water intrusion can quickly compromise their safety. Catching step defects early prevents trip injuries and liability issues.

• Loose or Wobbling Step Treads: Top tread stones or bricks shifting underfoot when stepped on.

• Cracked or Crumbling Risers: Mortar crumbling away between vertical step risers, creating open gaps.

• Sunken or Tilting Steps: Entire stair assemblies dropping below door sill levels or sloping toward the house.

• Separation from the Building Facade: Gaps opening between the back of the stair assembly and the main building wall.

• Spalled and Flaking Concrete Steps: Chipped or pitted concrete treads caused by aggressive winter deicing chemicals.

Inadequate footing depth below the frost line, salt damage, and moisture absorption in mortar joints are the leading causes of step failure in the Twin Cities metro area. When water freezes beneath stair footings, frost heave tilts steps and cracks mortar joints open.

Ignoring crumbling steps invites liability risks, water damage near foundations, and worsening structural separation. Timely stair repair level sunken steps, replaces broken treads, and secures step risers with durable bonding mortars.