Safe, beautiful steps that welcome guests and protect your family from dangerous trips and falls.
Your front steps make the first impression on every visitor. But more importantly, they need to be safe. Loose bricks, cracked stone, wobbly railings, and uneven treads create serious tripping hazards, especially in wet or icy conditions. At DEM Des Moines Masonry, we repair damaged steps and build new ones that combine safety, durability, and curb appeal.
Whether you need to fix a few loose bricks on your front porch or completely rebuild a crumbling staircase, we have the skills and experience to do it right. We work with brick, natural stone, concrete, and manufactured stone to create steps that match your home's style and meet all local building codes. From simple repairs to complete custom builds, we handle every aspect of your project with attention to detail and quality craftsmanship.
Many Des Moines homeowners ignore step problems until someone gets hurt or the damage becomes obvious. But catching issues early saves money and prevents injuries. Here are the warning signs you should never ignore.
Do not wait until someone trips and gets hurt. We have seen too many preventable injuries from neglected steps. If you notice any of these problems, get a professional assessment. We offer free on-site evaluations to determine whether you need minor repairs or a complete rebuild.
Similar to our brick repair services, we diagnose the root cause of step damage, not just fix the surface symptoms. This approach ensures your repairs actually last.
Not every step problem requires a complete rebuild. Sometimes simple repairs fix the issue and save you thousands of dollars. Other times, trying to repair severely damaged steps just wastes money because the problems come back quickly.
We can successfully repair steps when the damage is limited and the underlying structure remains sound. Minor mortar deterioration responds well to professional tuckpointing. We remove the old, crumbling mortar and replace it with fresh, properly mixed mortar that matches your existing color.
A few loose or damaged bricks or stones can be replaced without rebuilding the entire structure. We carefully remove the damaged pieces, check the base for problems, and install matching replacements. Surface cracks in concrete steps often get repaired with specialized patching compounds, though deep cracks usually indicate structural issues that need more attention.
If more than 30 percent of your steps show damage, rebuilding usually makes more sense than patching. Steps that lean, sink, or pull away from the house have foundation problems that require tearing down to the base and starting fresh with proper support.
Steps with severe freeze-thaw damage throughout the structure will continue deteriorating even after repairs. Old steps built without proper drainage or footer support often need complete replacement to meet current building codes and last for decades. We also recommend rebuilding when homeowners want to change step design, add railings, increase width, or adjust height to improve accessibility.
During your free consultation, we assess your steps honestly and explain whether repair or rebuild makes the most sense for your situation and budget. We never push unnecessary work, and we always provide options so you can make an informed decision.
Building quality steps requires more than stacking bricks or stones. Proper construction starts below ground with a solid foundation and includes careful attention to code requirements, drainage, and long-term durability.
We start by excavating below the frost line and pouring a reinforced concrete footer that prevents settling and frost heave. This foundation keeps your steps stable through Iowa's freeze-thaw cycles. We grade the area to direct water away from both your steps and your home's foundation.
Next, we build up the structure using your chosen materials. For brick steps, we lay each course with proper mortar joints and ensure uniform rise and run dimensions. Stone steps get similar attention, with each tread carefully leveled and securely bonded. We often cap steps with bluestone or other natural stone treads that provide a smooth, slip-resistant walking surface.
Des Moines building codes specify maximum rise height, minimum tread depth, and other safety requirements. We know these codes and build every step to meet or exceed them. This includes proper railing installation when steps exceed a certain height, adequate lighting provisions, and slip-resistant surfaces.
The finishing touches matter too. We tool the mortar joints for weather resistance and appearance, seal the materials if needed, and clean up completely when we finish. Your new steps will look great, function perfectly, and pass any inspection. Ready to get started? Explore our full range of masonry services in Des Moines.
Step repair costs vary widely based on the extent of damage and the type of materials. Minor tuckpointing and brick replacement typically runs $500 to $1,500, while more extensive repairs with structural work can reach $2,000 to $4,000. Complete step rebuilds generally cost $3,000 to $8,000 for typical residential front stoops, depending on size, materials, and design complexity. Natural stone steps cost more than brick or concrete, and custom features like decorative borders or integrated planters add to the price. We provide detailed written estimates after evaluating your specific situation so you know exactly what to expect.
Properly built brick and stone steps should last 30 to 50 years or more with minimal maintenance. The key factors are quality materials, correct installation techniques, proper drainage, and a solid foundation below the frost line. Steps that fail prematurely usually have one or more of these issues wrong from the start. Regular maintenance helps too. Having mortar joints inspected and repointed every 15 to 20 years prevents water infiltration that causes damage. Sealing the materials every few years also protects against stains and weathering. When we build your steps, we use proven methods that ensure they will serve your home for decades.
Yes, we specialize in matching existing materials for seamless repairs. For brick, we identify the size, color, and texture of your original bricks and source the closest available match. Sometimes we can find exact matches, while other times we select bricks that blend naturally with your existing work. For mortar, we analyze your current mortar color and mix our new mortar to match using different sand colors and ratios. We can also slightly weather new materials to help them blend with aged bricks or stones. With natural stone, we work with suppliers who carry a wide range of colors and textures. Our goal is always repairs that look like they were always there, not obvious patches that stand out.
Get a free safety assessment and honest recommendation about your steps. We'll help you understand your options and provide upfront pricing.
