Concrete steps are a practical and attractive feature for any Salt Lake City home. Whether you’re replacing aging wooden steps, crumbling brick, or settling precast slabs, properly built concrete steps offer decades of durability. In Utah’s climate — with its hard winters and hot summers — a well-poured set of concrete steps will outlast nearly every alternative.
Planning Your Steps: Dimensions and Codes
The first step (no pun intended) is determining the right dimensions. Comfortable, safe steps follow a standard formula: the rise (vertical height) plus twice the run (horizontal depth) should equal approximately 25 inches. For residential exterior steps, a 7-inch rise and 11-inch run is a common starting point. Salt Lake City building codes typically require handrails for stairs with more than two risers, so check with the city’s Building Services department before starting your project.
Measure the total height from ground level to your entry threshold. Divide that by your planned riser height to determine the number of steps needed. Round to whole numbers and adjust the riser height slightly to ensure each step is equal — uneven steps are a tripping hazard.
Gathering Materials
For most residential step projects in Salt Lake City, you’ll need lumber for forms, stakes, screws or nails, rebar or wire mesh, and concrete. A 4,000 PSI air-entrained mix is recommended for exterior concrete in Utah’s freeze-thaw climate. If your stair project is small — three steps or fewer — bagged concrete may suffice. For larger stairways, order ready-mix from a local supplier.
Excavation and Base Preparation
Never pour concrete steps directly on unprepared soil. Excavate the area and compact the subgrade firmly. For areas with expansive or soft soil (common in parts of the Salt Lake Valley), lay 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel as a base. This prevents settlement and keeps steps stable through Utah’s seasonal soil movement.
Building the Forms
Forms hold the concrete in place while it sets and define the shape of your steps. Use 3/4-inch plywood for the risers and 2x lumber for side support. Build each riser board to the planned height and secure it firmly. Ensure all forms are level and plumb — a slight error here becomes permanent once the concrete sets. Brace forms thoroughly; wet concrete exerts significant lateral pressure.
Adding Reinforcement
Rebar is essential for concrete steps, especially in freeze-thaw climates. Place horizontal rebar runs within each tread and vertical rebar connecting the steps to the base. The reinforcement should sit roughly in the center of each slab thickness, supported by chairs or rocks — never resting on the ground. Tie rebar intersections with wire to keep them in position during the pour.
Pouring the Concrete
Begin pouring at the bottom step and work upward. This allows each section to support the one above it during placement. Fill each step cavity and consolidate the concrete by rodding or using a vibrator to eliminate air pockets. Work the concrete firmly into corners where the tread meets the riser — voids in these areas are common failure points.
Timing matters in Salt Lake City. Avoid pouring during extreme heat (above 90°F) without proper precautions, and never pour when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing within 48 hours. Spring and fall offer the most reliable conditions for outdoor concrete work in Utah.
Finishing the Treads
After screeding each tread level, apply a broom finish perpendicular to the direction of travel. This creates traction lines that help prevent slipping — particularly important in winter when ice and snow are common in Salt Lake City. Edge each step’s nosing (the front lip) with a concrete edging tool for a clean, finished appearance and to reduce chipping.
Curing and Sealing
Cover finished steps with plastic sheeting or apply a liquid curing compound immediately after finishing. Keep steps moist for at least 7 days to ensure proper strength development. Salt Lake City’s low humidity and intense sun can dry out concrete far too quickly, leading to surface weakness. After full curing (28 days), apply a penetrating sealer to protect against moisture, freeze-thaw damage, and staining.
Removing Forms
Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before removing forms, longer in cool weather. Carefully pry the riser boards away from the concrete. If any surface defects are visible — voids, honeycombing, or rough patches — fill them immediately with a cement-based patching compound while the concrete is still relatively fresh.
Handrails and Safety
If your steps require a handrail per local code, set posts before pouring if possible, or use post bases anchored with epoxy into the cured concrete afterward. Ensure handrails are at the correct height (typically 34 to 38 inches above the stair nosing) and solidly anchored. In Salt Lake City’s icy winters, a sturdy handrail is a genuine safety asset.
Final Thoughts
Well-built concrete steps enhance both the safety and curb appeal of your Salt Lake City home. Take time to plan carefully, build solid forms, use proper reinforcement, and cure diligently. Done right, your new steps will greet visitors reliably for 30 years or more — through Utah winters and summers alike.