Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - cement basement stairs

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girlbuilder
02-28-08, 11:41 AM
I originally posted this in basements, but this is probably where I need to go for advice.

The old cement basement stairs are broken & irregular. In order to make them uniform, we need to remove all or most of them. Any suggestions on how to remove this old cement? I don't think we have room for one of those wonderful big cement saws, this will probably have to be by hand, unless you know of anyway or anything else to use. C'mon experts, I'm too old to be swinging a sledge hammer.:)


Wirepuller38
02-29-08, 06:33 AM
A concrete saw is heavier than a sledge hammer.

If these are for an outside entrance, try a Bobcat and heavy chain. Good luck with your project.

so-elitecrete
03-01-08, 09:19 PM
repairing them w/polymer-modified mtls rather'n tear out & replacing.

sledge hammer's still useful but electric hammers're MUCH easier, too,,, rent a bosch brute if you must,,, 110v & only weighs 60#.


girlbuilder
03-02-08, 06:16 PM
Thanks to all who replied. Unfortunately these are now inside stairs. We should have fixed them before this area was enclosed, great 20/20 hindsite.

After much "figuring", we finally came up with a plan that will only require removing the front half of 2 or 3 steps. Still going to be work, but not as much as removing all of them.

To give you an example of uneven, the first rise is 17", tread is 22, 2nd step 12" rise, 9 1/2" tread. It rise varies from 7" to 9" after that, and the tread ranges from 9 to 12 1/2". Don't ya just love old world craftsmanship. The house is about 120 years old, and I assume the stairs are original.
thanks again

so-elitecrete
03-02-08, 06:48 PM
thought but the advice's good for either,,, repair 'em