How to Repair a Brick Porch's Stairs

Brick stairways can take a beating in harsh climates. Rain water penetrates mortar and expands in the brick when it freezes. This can cause the mortar or brick to crumble, resulting in a need to replace the mortar or the brick itself. Although building a porch stairway is a complicated task best left to a professional, replacing bricks or mortar in the stairway can be accomplished by a capable do-it-yourselfer.

Mason's bolster
Hammer
Mortar
Bucket
Trowel
Work gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape away the crumbling mortar using the point of a mason's bolster.
- 2
  Chisel out stubborn mortar using a bolster and hammer. Be careful not to chip the brick during this process. Damaged brick will absorb water more easily, causing further damage.
- 3
  Remove the brick after the mortar has been entirely removed. Clean out the cavity where the brick used to lie, clearing out any additional mortar crumbles. If the brick itself is damaged, you must replace the brick with a new brick.
- 4
  Mix the mortar in a bucket according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- 5
  Apply one-half inch of mortar to the sides of the cavity in the stairs, and on the bottom of the hole.
- 6
  Apply additional mortar on all sides of the brick that will be hidden in the stairs. If this brick is perched on the edge of the stairs, there will be at least two sides that face the outside.
- 7
  Slide the brick into place. Wipe away excess mortar with a trowel.

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