Concrete front steps are coming off in ';sheets'; top layer only?

The top layer of my concrete steps are breaking off in small ';sheets';, mostly at the base, where it meets the sidewalk.





Is there a ';topping'; mix that I could pick up at the store to fix this?Concrete front steps are coming off in ';sheets'; top layer only?
You can fix this problem quite easily....you must clean off all the loose concrete and wash it well leaving it slightly damp.mix up just enough QUICK PLUG (or other hydrolic cement) that you can work in a short time (read instructions)and apply using trowel and gloves.I have done this many times on steps and on concrete pools and it has lasted for years....I would use a concrete / stone sealer after a month or two if you are in an area that has frost and use urea not salt for ice removalConcrete front steps are coming off in ';sheets'; top layer only?
Absolutely, but make sure you remove any concrete that looks like it wants to come off with a hammer. The utilize a concrete patching compound, go to any local hardware store and ask for concrete patch.
no, breakout the whole thing and redo it
my husband says you can't fix that. he has been working with concrete for years. someone put it in incorrectly to begin with. he says there is either no rhibar and/or the cement was mixed wrong. it will be much less expensive in the long run to get new stairs. there is no patch that will fix something like that for more than a couple of weeks.
Sounds like water soaked into the cement and froze (several times), or maybe damage from salt (combined with freezing).





There are numerous products that CLAIM to be able to bond a thin patch coating on cement, but I have never seen one that lasts, the patch just comes loose after a year or so (if that long). If the steps are so damaged that they are unsafe, replace. If it is just ugly, ignore, or maybe cover with outdoor carpeting.
I know the problem. I had a patio with the same thing -- concrete peeling off. I found a product called ';VinalPatch'; at Kmart for $2.99/bag. (Unfortunately, this was about 30 years ago!) It lasted about 2 years and then I had to do it again. There are probably newer products that will do the same thing. Check at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.





Unfortunately, your concrete was put in too wet. That's why it is ';peeling.'; The long term solution is to tear it out and replace it.





The patio was at my old house. I have the same problem at my new house on the front steps. I'm thinking of tiling or bricking them, instead of replacing the concrete. At this time, the ';peeling'; is not getting worse. The top layer peeled off, and the remainder of the steps seems just fine. But it looks rough.





This is a real problem for us both!
the forms on your steps where left on too long and after they stripped them they couldn't rub them out with a magnesium float,they then mixed up Portland and sand and parged them,that is what is coming off,if you look there will be no gravel in these layers,clean the steps off by chipping and wire brushing then buy a bonding agent then reapply Portland cement mixture,seal with masonry sealer after curing