How to Move Concrete Steps
You may have got an old step, or you may have bought a new one, in both cases, you need to move your steps from one place to another. That’s where all the struggle starts. Even if you have got a step that is relatively lighter to others, it will still contain around 1-ton weight. So, typically it is not easy to move them from one place to another. In fact, if you forcefully try to move that bulky thing all by yourself, it can give you severe pains in your joint. That’s why you need to find out how to move concrete steps with the easiest steps.
In last month, the speaker made some changes to the front side of their house. They made a new room and extended the spaces in their house. They also had to make a new door for the entrance, which was quite high from the ground. So, they bought a ready-made concrete stair instead of making one to avoid the messes.
Even though the person ordered the best one, the manufacturer wasn’t going to place it in front of their door, so they had to do it themselves. They share the steps they used to do it so that other people can do it too.
Summary: If you’re thinking about moving concrete steps, be sure to follow these simple tips: 1. Clear the area around the steps first. Remove any plants or debris that may have come in contact with the concrete. Make sure the ground is completely level and free of any bumps or irregularities. 2. Use a tractor or a large vehicle to move the steps. Be sure to use enough weight to keep them in place. 3. Keep a close eye on the steps during the relocation process. If they begin to move or fall apart, stop the truck immediately and fix the problem.
How to Move Concrete Steps
Below you will get some simple steps for moving your concrete steps. Follow these steps and enjoy them.
Tip 1 – First of all, you should try to bring the truck that carries your steps as close as possible to the correct place. Then use a step handling bar and connect it to the step. It will allow two persons two to move the steps. And by sharing the total weight into four hands, you will be able to move the step quite easily.
Tip 2 – You can make the process easier. For that, you will need four one-inch PVC pipes. Place them under your block utilizing the handling bar; then, you can role the steps down easily once you have moved it from the truck use and then use the pyramid technique to place it on your desired position.
Tip 3 – If you can’t bring your truck near to your doorstep. You can use a step dolly to move the heavy block easily. Simply, use the step dolly and roll it up to your site.
10 Ways on How to Move Concrete Steps:
1. Slice the Steps With a Saw:
Removing a step from a staircase is relatively easy if made of wood. However, you have to use other techniques to remove a concrete step. This section shows how to separate the steps from your staircase by cutting them with a saw.
2. Try an Angle Grinder:
Concrete steps are not the easiest things to move. If you can’t hoist them up and out of the way, this section shows how to cut them with an angle grinder.
3. Try a Sawzall:
Larger steps are difficult to remove intact, so they need to be cut up into manageable pieces for removal. This section shows how to use a reciprocating saw or Sawzall to remove the step in smaller chunks. bit, remove all of the screws holding the step in place.
4. Cut Steel Reinforcement Bars:
The steel reinforcement bars in concrete steps can’t be cut with a reciprocating saw. This section shows how to cut the bars without a Sawzall.
5. Saw Off the Handrail:
Removing the concrete steps is only part of the problem. You also have to remove the handrail if it’s attached to the concrete step. This section shows how to remove the handrail, using either a reciprocating saw or Sawzall.
6. Cut Out the Center of the Step:
Concrete steps are often more than one piece of concrete put together. This section shows how to break up the step by removing a section from the center of the step. This is a good way to break up a single large concrete step because it reduces the weight and size of the piece you have to move in one load.
7. Add Wedges to Break Up a Step:
Sometimes you can’t cut through a concrete step because it’s too thick or the cut is too deep. This section shows how to split a step into several chunks by adding wedges to the step. Wedging a step doesn’t weaken it as much as sawing through the step, so this technique is safer if you’re working above your head.
8. Drill Holes and Hit Them With a Hammer:
You can split a concrete step into chunks by using an electric drill to make holes in the step and then hitting the drill with a hammer. This method is faster than using wedges, but it’s more dangerous because you have to work above your head, which exposes you to falling objects.
9. Attach a Jack to the step:
Concrete steps are heavy, and you need to lift them off the staircase before you can move them away from your house. This section shows how to attach a block and tackle or come along to the step so that it lifts easily with manpower.
10. Add Cement to Make Shims:
Concrete steps are built with a gap between the treads and risers. This section shows how to make shims out of cement to remove the step in one piece. These shims work better than wood wedges because they’re less likely to break under load.
Safety Measures and Warnings:
1. Only attempt this project if you are confident in your abilities. If not, call a professional to help you or avoid moving the steps altogether.
2. Before beginning, make sure that you have enough space for the step, even with an additional three feet on each end (the length of the wooden boards used to slide the steps).
3. Make sure that all moving equipment is flat-tired (i.e., no wheelbarrows or hand trucks with standard wheels).
4. Always wear proper safety equipment (face mask, glasses, gloves, etc.) when handling concrete steps.
5. If you are working on stairs attached to your home, ensure the power is off before moving the steps.
6. Work closely with friends or family members to ensure everyone is safe while working on this project.
7. Always be aware of your surroundings when working with heavy machinery or objects that can cause damage or injury (i.e., falling concrete, other people in the area, etc.)
What Should You Move Concrete Steps?
Maybe you have a set of concrete steps leading up to your front porch. Maybe they’re too heavy for one person. Maybe they look nice where they are but not where you have decided on. Perhaps the support beams underneath the steps need replacing, and you want to move them out of the way during that job, or maybe they’re just in the middle of a concrete sidewalk, and you want them out of the way for something else.
For whatever reason you have, moving concrete steps is possible with enough knowledge to do it correctly. First, make sure you have the necessary tools to do it. Second, be very careful with how you go about moving concrete steps. They’re heavy and hard to move. If not done correctly, they can fall apart or crack severely enough that they cannot be used again without a complete replacement job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you Mudjack concrete stairs?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the type of stairs and the condition of the concrete. However, if the stairs are in a bad condition and need repair, then mudjacking may be an effective solution.
Conclusion
Concrete is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the world. It is strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive. However, moving concrete can be a daunting task. Here in this blog post, we have discussed how to move concrete steps with ease.
Try to order your concrete delivery as close to the job site as possible. This will minimize the amount of time the concrete spends outside, leading to it freezing or becoming damaged. If you have any questions or want to know more, then feel free to comment below!
