Concrete Stairs in Pittsburgh, PA

Ensure safe and durable access to your home with custom-built concrete stairs from RMK Services. We are the premier contractor for designing and installing long lasting concrete stairs and steps in Pittsburgh, PA.

BOOK NOW (412) 902-5114

The Top Concrete Stairs in Pittsburgh, PA

Cracked and uneven stairs are a major safety hazard and can detract from your home’s curb appeal. RMK Services builds high quality concrete stairs that are safe, durable, and built to code. As a family-owned business serving the Pittsburgh area, we build with integrity and a commitment to excellent craftsmanship. Our licensed and insured team has the expertise to construct stairs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We are dedicated to providing a 5 star service experience from the initial design to the final finishing touches. Concrete stairs are a smart investment, offering unparalleled strength and resistance to weather. Trust us to build a set of steps that will provide safe access for decades. We offer free in-person estimates for all concrete stair projects.

BOOK NOW (412) 902-5114
John Daly
September 20, 2025

Side walk is fantastic! Ryan fixed my retaining wall no one else would touch. Very extra professional job. All his people were great also. Great estimate and greater work. I highly recommend him. He has been a blessing!

Clinton Eastwood
September 14, 2025

I love RMK Services LLC because they truly take pride in their concrete work and always go above and beyond to deliver quality results. Whether it’s driveways, sidewalks, patios, or foundations, they handle every project with skill, professionalism, and attention to detail. Their team doesn’t just get the job done – they make sure it’s done right, built to last, and looks great too. RMK Services LLC is reliable, hardworking, and committed to customer satisfaction, which is why I trust them with any concrete job I need.

Jason I
August 22, 2025

Ryan and his crew were absolutely amazing on every level including attention to detail and transparency with everything from a fair and honest quote to the level of craftsmanship performed. They worked at a fast and efficient pace while considering safety of the homeowner and his crew at all times. The difference is he listens to his customers and goes the extra mile to make them happy. I had my retaining wall reconstructed and I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend RMK services for all your project needs.

Chris T.
August 20, 2025

Excellent service from Ryan. He poured a sidewalk for us at our rental property and got it done on time and in budget. We'll be using his services again very soon.

Nathan B.
August 19, 2025

From the beginning Ryan was on it! When I first searched yelp for help with fixing my glass block windows, lentals, and repointing on my brick outside my house he was one of the first to contact me. He scheduled to meet with me fairly quickly, was on time and realistic with what work was needed to be done and offered it at a very reasonable price. He kept me informed the whole time on everything he was doing and ensured me the job would be done correctly. Would recommend.

RMK Services OFFERS Concrete Stairs IN Pittsburgh’s Top Neighborhoods

RMK Services provides professional Concrete Stairs for homeowners and businesses throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. Below is a full list of nearby neighborhoods and townships we serve, all within our 60-mile service radius. If your property is located in one of these areas, we’re ready to help you with Concrete Stairs:

VIEW ALL LOCATIONS (412) 902-5114

Our Concrete Stairs Service

Our concrete stair service begins with a detailed on site consultation and design process. We understand that stairs are a critical functional element of your home. We carefully measure the rise and run to design a set of stairs that is comfortable and safe to use. Our team ensures that the design complies with all local Pittsburgh building codes for tread depth, riser height, and handrail requirements. We can design and build a wide range of styles, from simple, straight front entry steps to more complex, multi level stairs for sloped properties. We discuss finishing options with you to ensure the new stairs complement your home’s exterior.

The foundation of a durable set of stairs is a properly constructed footing. All of our concrete stairs are built on a solid concrete footing that extends below the frost line. This is a critical step that many less experienced contractors skip. A deep footing prevents the stairs from heaving or settling during Pittsburgh’s freeze thaw cycles, which is the number one cause of cracked and separated stairs. We excavate to the required depth, build formwork, and install steel rebar to create a strong, stable base that anchors the stairs to the ground permanently. This ensures your stairs will remain stable and safe for their entire lifespan.

Building the formwork for concrete stairs is a complex and precise task that requires skilled carpentry. Our experienced team builds a custom, multi level form that will create the exact shape of your new stairs. We ensure that every riser is the exact same height and every tread is the exact same depth. These uniform dimensions are essential for safety and comfort. The formwork is built to be extremely strong and well braced to withstand the immense pressure of the wet concrete without bowing or shifting. All the details, including the sides of the stairs and any landings, are meticulously formed.

Proper reinforcement is key to the strength and longevity of concrete stairs. We install a custom bent cage of steel rebar that follows the contour of the stairs inside the formwork. This steel reinforcement provides the tensile strength that concrete needs to resist cracking under stress and spanning the distance from the landing to the footing. We take care to ensure the rebar has the proper clearance from the surface of the concrete on all sides. This steel skeleton is what makes our concrete stairs incredibly strong and able to withstand decades of heavy use and exposure to the elements without failing.

The pouring and finishing of the stairs is done with great care and expertise. We use a high strength exterior concrete mix and carefully place it into the complex formwork. Our team uses vibration and other techniques to ensure the concrete consolidates properly into every corner and around all the reinforcement, eliminating any air pockets. The stair treads are then expertly finished. The most common and recommended finish is a light broom texture. This simple finish provides excellent slip resistance for wet or icy conditions, which is a crucial safety feature for any set of stairs.

Once the concrete has cured and gained sufficient strength, we carefully strip and remove the formwork. This reveals the solid, perfectly formed set of stairs. We inspect the final product to ensure it meets our high quality standards. If the stairs require a handrail to meet building codes, we can coordinate with railing installers or install anchors into the concrete for a future railing installation. Proper handrails are a critical safety component, and we ensure the stairs are built to accommodate them correctly. We can also apply a high quality penetrating sealer to the new stairs to protect them from water and salt damage.

Our commitment to a 5 star service experience extends through the final cleanup. Our team ensures that the entire work area is left clean and tidy. We remove all formwork materials and construction debris from your property. We will perform a final walkthrough with you to ensure you are completely satisfied with your new, safe, and durable concrete stairs. We take pride in building structures that not only look great but also enhance the safety and functionality of our clients’ homes. Your satisfaction and safety are our top priorities.

BOOK NOW (412) 902-5114

All Concrete Services By RMK in Pittsburgh, PA

RMK Services offers Concrete Stairs in Pittsburgh, but we also offer many other residential concrete services for homeowners across Pittsburgh. From new installations to full tear-outs and replacements, we handle everything with precision and care. Below is a complete list of concrete services available alongside Concrete Stairs:

Why Homeowners Trust RMK Services in Pittsburgh, PA

At RMK Services, we focus on delivering honest, high-quality concrete work backed by real experience and dependable service. From the first estimate to the final pour, our team shows up, communicates clearly, and gets the job done right without sales pressure or surprises. We take pride in treating every property like it’s our own and standing behind everything we do.

  • Licensed & Insured in Pennsylvania (PA License #203908)
  • Over 10 Years of Construction Experience
  • Free In-Person Estimates With Honest, Fair Pricing
  • No Upsells or Games; Just Solid, Reliable Work
  • Family-Owned and Operated in Pittsburgh
  • Serving a 60-Mile Radius Around the City
BOOK NOW (412) 902-5114
Years in Business
5-Star Reviews
Satisfied Clients
Jobs Completed

A Homeowner’s Guide On Concrete Stairs in Pittsburgh

For Pittsburgh homeowners, exterior stairs need to be built to withstand our challenging climate. When replacing or building new stairs, the most important element to discuss with your contractor is the footing. Stairs without a proper footing that extends below the frost line will inevitably shift and crack. Safety is another key concern; a non slip finish, like a broom finish, is essential to provide traction during rainy or icy weather. Also, ensure the rise and run of the steps are consistent and comfortable. Uneven steps are a serious tripping hazard. Finally, any set of stairs with more than a few steps will require a sturdy handrail by law. Concrete stairs are a permanent solution, so it is worth investing in a professional installation.

BOOK NOW (412) 902-5114

Common Concrete Stairs Questions

Concrete stairs are a durable and practical choice for exterior access to your home. They are a common feature for front porches, decks, and sloped yards. Homeowners in Pittsburgh often have questions about the construction, safety, and maintenance of these important structures. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about concrete stairs.

The most common reason for concrete steps cracking and separating from a house foundation or porch is the lack of a proper footing. Many older stairs, and even some newer ones built by inexperienced contractors, were poured directly on the ground without a footing that extends below the frost line. In Pittsburgh’s climate, the ground freezes and thaws every winter. When the soil freezes, it expands and heaves upwards, lifting the stairs with it. In the spring, it thaws and settles back down. This constant up and down movement puts immense stress on the stairs, causing them to crack and break apart.

This freeze thaw cycle also explains why the stairs pull away from the house. The house itself is built on a foundation with footings that are deep below the frost line, so it remains stable and does not move. The stairs, resting on the shallow, frozen ground, are pushed upwards in the winter. This differential movement creates a gap between the top of the stairs and the porch or doorway they are connected to. Over many years, this repeated cycle can cause the gap to widen and can lead to complete failure of the stairs.

Another contributing factor can be poor water management. If water from a downspout or from surface runoff is allowed to pool around and under the stairs, it can lead to soil erosion and settlement. As the soil washes away from beneath the stairs, it creates a void, and the unsupported weight of the concrete will cause it to sink and crack. A professionally built set of stairs from RMK Services will always include a deep, frost protected footing and proper grading to prevent these common problems from ever occurring.

Concrete stairs can be slippery when wet or icy if they are not finished with the proper texture. A very smooth, steel troweled finish, which is common for interior floors, would be dangerously slippery for an exterior set of stairs. This is why the type of finish applied to the stair treads is one of the most important safety considerations in their construction. A professional concrete contractor will always use a non slip finish for any exterior walking surface.

The most common and effective non slip finish for concrete stairs is a broom finish. This finish is created by dragging a special broom across the surface of the concrete just as it is beginning to harden. This creates a fine, ridged texture on the stair treads. These tiny ridges provide excellent traction for shoes, even in wet conditions. The texture is rough enough to provide grip but not so rough that it is uncomfortable to walk on. This is the standard finish for most sidewalks, driveways, and stairs for this very reason.

Even with a broom finish, stairs can become slick with ice during a Pittsburgh winter. It is important to keep the stairs clear of snow and ice. You should avoid using rock salt or other corrosive de-icing chemicals on your concrete stairs, as they can cause the surface to spall and deteriorate over time. A safer option for melting ice is to use calcium chloride or magnesium chloride based products. You can also use sand for traction. A properly textured finish combined with diligent winter maintenance will ensure your concrete stairs are as safe as possible.

Whether cracked concrete stairs can be repaired depends on the cause and extent of the damage. If the cracks are small, hairline cracks on the surface and the stairs themselves are still structurally sound and stable, then a repair is often possible. These small cracks can be filled with a flexible polyurethane sealant to prevent water from getting in and causing further damage. If the surface of the treads is spalled or pitted, it can often be resurfaced with a thin polymer modified concrete overlay to create a new, durable surface.

However, if the stairs have large, structural cracks, have settled significantly, or are pulling away from the house, a simple surface repair is not the answer. These problems are symptoms of a fundamental failure, usually an inadequate or non existent footing. Merely patching the cracks will not solve the underlying problem. The stairs will continue to move and shift during the next freeze thaw cycle, and the patches will quickly fail. Attempting to patch major structural problems is a temporary, band aid solution that wastes money and does not address the safety hazard.

In most cases where the stairs are structurally compromised, the only correct and safe solution is a full replacement. The old, failed stairs must be completely demolished and removed. A new set of stairs must then be built correctly from the ground up, starting with a new, deep footing that extends below the frost line. This is the only way to guarantee a permanent and safe solution. An expert from RMK Services can inspect your damaged stairs and give you an honest assessment of whether a repair is a viable option or if a replacement is necessary.

Yes, in almost all cases, a set of exterior concrete stairs will require a handrail to comply with residential building codes. The specific requirements can vary slightly by municipality, but the International Residential Code (IRC), which most local codes are based on, provides clear guidelines. The IRC generally requires a handrail on at least one side of any set of stairs that has four or more risers. A riser is the vertical part of a step. So, if your stairs have four or more steps, you will need a handrail.

The building code also has specific requirements for the handrail itself. It must be continuous, running from the top step to the bottom step. The height of the handrail is also regulated, typically required to be between 34 and 38 inches above the front edge of the stair treads. The handrail must also be “graspable,” meaning it has a specific shape and size that is easy to hold onto securely. There are also rules about the strength of the handrail and its posts, ensuring it can withstand a significant amount of force without failing.

Safety is the primary reason for these code requirements. Stairs can be dangerous, especially for children, the elderly, or anyone with mobility issues. A sturdy handrail provides essential support and can prevent a serious fall, especially in wet or icy conditions. When we build your new concrete stairs, we ensure they are constructed to accommodate the proper installation of a code compliant handrail. We can install the anchors for the railing posts directly into the concrete, providing a strong and secure mounting point for the railing installer.

Building a set of concrete stairs is a complex process that combines excavation, carpentry, steel reinforcement, and concrete finishing skills. The process begins with careful layout and excavation. We determine the exact location of the stairs and then dig the trench for the concrete footing. This footing must be placed on solid ground and must be deep enough to be below the local frost line. This step is critical for the stability of the stairs. Once the footing trench is ready, we pour the footing and allow it to cure.

The next step is building the intricate formwork. Our carpenters construct a wooden mold that will form the exact shape of the stairs, including the risers, treads, and side walls (cheek walls). This requires precise measurements to ensure every step is identical and the overall slope is correct. Inside this formwork, we build and place a cage of steel rebar. This rebar is bent to follow the shape of the stairs and provides the tensile strength that is essential for a durable structure.

Once the formwork and reinforcement are complete and have been inspected, we pour the concrete. We use a high quality concrete mix and carefully work it into the forms to eliminate any air voids. As the concrete begins to set, our skilled finishers trowel the treads and apply a non slip broom finish. After the concrete has cured for several days, we carefully remove the formwork. The final steps include backfilling soil around the new stairs, applying a sealer if desired, and cleaning up the site, leaving you with a brand new, solid set of stairs.

Yes, you can definitely change and improve the look of existing concrete stairs, as long as they are structurally sound. If your stairs are stable but just look old, stained, or dated, there are several options to give them a complete makeover. One of the most effective methods is resurfacing with a concrete overlay. This involves applying a thin layer of a polymer modified cement product over the entire surface of the stairs. This new layer covers up all the old imperfections and can be finished in a variety of ways.

A concrete overlay can be colored or stained to give your stairs a brand new look. It can also be textured. For example, we can apply a stamped overlay to mimic the look of stone or brick treads. Another option is to apply a durable, decorative coating, like an epoxy with decorative flakes, though this is more common for interior or garage steps. For exterior stairs, you can also consider cladding the existing concrete with another material. This involves covering the concrete treads and risers with thin stone veneers, tiles, or brick pavers.

It is important to remember that these are cosmetic fixes. They will not solve any underlying structural problems. If your stairs are cracked, settled, or leaning, these issues must be addressed first. In many cases, it makes more sense to invest in a full replacement rather than spending money to cover up a failing structure. However, for stairs that are in good shape, resurfacing or cladding can be a fantastic way to dramatically improve their appearance and boost your home’s curb appeal.

The cost of new concrete stairs can vary widely depending on a number of factors. The primary driver of the cost is the size and number of steps. A larger and taller set of stairs will require significantly more materials (concrete, rebar, formwork lumber) and labor than a short, simple set of two or three steps. The complexity of the design also plays a major role. A straight, simple staircase will be more affordable than one that is curved, has multiple landings, or features flared sides.

Site conditions can also impact the cost. If the stairs are in a location with difficult access for equipment and concrete delivery, the labor costs may be higher. The amount of demolition and removal required for the old stairs will also be factored into the overall price. The choice of finish can also affect the cost. A standard broom finish is the most economical, while decorative options like staining or adding a stone veneer to the risers would add to the price.

Because of all these variables, it is impossible to give a generic price for concrete stairs. The only way to get an accurate cost is to have a professional contractor assess your specific project. At RMK Services, we provide free, no obligation in-person estimates. We will come to your home, measure the site, discuss your design preferences with you, and then provide you with a detailed, itemized quote for the complete project. This ensures you know the exact cost before any work begins.

Whether you need a landing for your stairs depends on the design and local building codes. A landing is a flat platform that is used to break up a long flight of stairs or to allow the stairs to change direction. From a safety and comfort perspective, landings are very important in long staircases. A continuous flight of many stairs can be physically tiring to climb and can be more dangerous in the event of a fall. A landing provides a place to rest and can help to break a fall.

Building codes often dictate when a landing is required. The International Residential Code (IRC) states that a flight of stairs cannot have a vertical rise of more than 12 feet without an intermediate landing. This means if the total height of your staircase is more than 12 feet from the bottom to the top, you must include at least one landing. The landing must be at least as wide as the staircase and have a minimum depth of 36 inches in the direction of travel.

Landings are also required at the top and bottom of every staircase. There must be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each flight of stairs. For exterior stairs, this is often a porch or stoop at the top and a sidewalk at the bottom. The purpose of these landings is to provide a safe, level area to transition to and from the stairs. When we design your concrete stairs, we will ensure that the design incorporates all necessary landings to comply with local building codes and to create a safe and user friendly staircase.

Get The Best Concrete Stairs Near You

For a free in-person estimate on your project, book a call-back using our 24/7 self-service system or call us directly at (412) 902-5114.

BOOK NOW (412) 902-5114