Brick & Stone Steps Repair & Build
Safe, beautiful steps that enhance your home's curb appeal and provide secure access for your family and guests.
(337) 483-1448
Why Step Repair and Replacement Matter
Loose, cracked, or uneven steps are more than just an eyesore. They're a safety hazard that puts your family, guests, and mail carriers at risk every single day. One wrong step on a wobbly brick can lead to a serious fall and injury.
If you notice any of these warning signs, it's time to call LMY Lafayette Masonry for an inspection. We repair and rebuild brick and stone steps throughout Lafayette and surrounding areas, helping homeowners eliminate trip hazards and restore their home's entrance to safe, solid condition.
Beyond safety, your front steps are one of the first things people see when they visit your home. Damaged steps hurt your curb appeal and can even affect your home's value if you're planning to sell. Fresh, well-built steps make a strong first impression and show that you maintain your property.
Common Step Problems We Fix
Steps fail for several reasons, especially in Louisiana where soil movement, moisture, and weather take a toll on masonry. Here are the issues we see most often.
Warning Signs Your Steps Need Repair
- •Loose or Wobbly Bricks: When the mortar between bricks deteriorates, individual bricks can shift and become unstable. This happens from water intrusion, freeze-thaw cycles, and general age. Loose bricks need immediate attention before someone gets hurt.
- •Cracks in Stone or Concrete: Cracks start small but grow over time as water seeps in and the damage spreads. What looks like a hairline crack today can become a major structural problem next year if left untreated.
- •Settling and Sinking: Poor foundation preparation or soil erosion can cause steps to sink unevenly. This creates trip hazards and allows water to pool against your home's foundation.
- •Crumbling Mortar Joints: Old mortar breaks down and falls out, leaving gaps between bricks or stones. This weakens the entire structure and lets moisture penetrate deeper into the masonry.
- •Spalling and Surface Damage: When the face of bricks or stones starts flaking off, it's called spalling. This happens when water gets trapped inside and freezes, causing the surface to pop off in chunks.
Minor issues can often be repaired with tuckpointing and repointing, but severe damage usually requires rebuilding the affected sections or the entire staircase. We'll assess your steps and recommend the most cost-effective solution.
Building Beautiful, Long-Lasting Steps
When we build new steps, we do it right the first time. That means proper footings, correct rise and run measurements, and materials that match your home's style. We can work with brick, natural stone, concrete, or a combination of materials to create steps that look great and last for decades.
Our Construction Process
We start by excavating and pouring a concrete footing that extends below the frost line. This prevents shifting and settling from soil movement. The footing must be level and properly sized to support the weight of the steps and everyone who uses them.
Next, we build up the steps using your chosen material. Every step must have the correct rise (height) and tread (depth) for safe, comfortable use. Building codes specify these dimensions, and we follow them strictly. Steps that are too steep or too shallow are dangerous and uncomfortable to use.
We also make sure water drains away from the steps and your foundation. Poor drainage is one of the main reasons steps fail prematurely. If you're also installing a patio or walkway, we coordinate everything to create a cohesive design with proper water management throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fix Unsafe Steps Before Someone Gets Hurt
Schedule a free inspection and get an honest assessment of your brick or stone steps.
Call (337) 483-1448