How to Replace Outside Steps and Iron Railings

Remove the original, damaged front step and railing by first cutting the railing off of the concrete step with a reciprocating saw fitted with a metal cutting blade. Pick a place to cut that is near where the railing meets the step.

Smash up the old concrete step with a sledgehammer. It is not necessary to create tiny pebbles, just to break up the steps into moveable chunks. Move these chunks out of the way once you have broken them up.

Install the concrete step forms. You can sometimes purchase these from home improvement stores, but it is generally less expensive to make them yourself using plywood and 2-by-6 lumber. To do this, begin by measuring the drop from the top stair to the ground, and then measure the distance from where the stair butts up against the house or patio to the end of the stairs. For example, you might have a 3-foot drop and a 3-foot distance.

Cut two pieces of plywood to the size you measured. In the example, this would be two pieces of plywood that are 3-feet square. Next, hold the two pieces of plywood together and cut out your desired number of steps. For a 3-foot drop, four steps is good, because stairs should have approximately an 8-inch rise. It does not have to be perfect, however, as long as it is close.

Construct the form with the two stair-shaped pieces of plywood on either side of where the concrete steps will be located, connected with 2-by-6 lumber. Placement of the lumber should be against the front riser of the step forms so that when the concrete is poured into the form, it will be prevented from running down onto the step below. Secure the 2-by-6 lumber to the plywood forms with wood screws.

Fill the base of the form with the rubble broken up by the old stairs, not allowing it to touch the concrete forms or to extend up beyond the upper edge of the stairs. This will help to prevent cracking and breakage of the new stairs and will reduce the amount of concrete you will have to use to fill the form. Use the larger pieces where possible to allow the new concrete to seep around them and bind them in place.

Mix the concrete with water in a wheelbarrow until it has reached the consistency of peanut butter. Using a garden hoe will allow you to completely blend the mixture. When it is mixed, use a shovel to fill the concrete form with the cement.

Smooth the surface of the cement with a mason's trowel so that the cement is completely smooth on all of the steps. At this point, you can install the cement anchor sleeves into the concrete. Align the replacement iron railing over the fresh concrete. The feet of the iron rail will leave a slight impression in the cement. Simply push the anchor sleeves into the marks where the railing is to be installed, and then allow the steps to cure for at least three days.

Remove the concrete forms from the steps after the cement has cured completely. Once this is done, line up the iron railing over the anchor sleeves, and then use anchor bolts to secure it to the steps. The sleeves will hold tightly in place so you won't have to worry about the railing coming loose.