Brick & Stone Steps Repair & Build

Your front steps are the first thing guests see when they visit your home. They are also one of the most used features of your property, taking daily foot traffic, exposure to weather, and constant stress from weight and movement. When steps start to crack, settle, or crumble, they become more than just an eyesore. They turn into a safety hazard that puts you, your family, and your visitors at risk.

In Amarillo, outdoor steps face unique challenges. Our freeze-thaw cycles cause soil movement and crack mortar joints. Heavy rains wash away supporting soil and undermine foundations. Summer heat expands materials, while winter cold contracts them, creating stress that breaks down masonry over time. Add in regular foot traffic, and you can see why steps need to be built right from the start and maintained properly throughout their life.

At AMM Amarillo Masonry, we specialize in building new brick and stone steps that combine beauty with structural integrity. We also repair existing steps to restore their safety and appearance. Whether you need a simple front porch stairway, an elaborate terraced entrance, or repairs to steps that have seen better days, we have the masonry expertise to deliver results that last. Every step we build meets local building codes, includes proper footings and drainage, and uses quality materials selected for our Texas climate.

Steps fail for many reasons, and identifying the cause is the first step to fixing the problem. We have repaired hundreds of staircases across Amarillo and know exactly what to look for. Here are the most common issues we see and how we address them.

Typical Step Damage and Failure Points

• Settling and sinking: When steps pull away from your house or sink into the ground, it usually means the foundation has failed or soil has washed away underneath. This creates dangerous trip hazards.
• Cracked or broken treads: The horizontal surfaces you walk on can crack from freeze-thaw damage, poor drainage, or structural movement. Cracked treads get worse quickly and need prompt repair.
• Loose or missing bricks and stones: When mortar fails, individual units can come loose or fall out completely. This weakens the entire structure and creates uneven surfaces.
• Deteriorating mortar joints: Mortar breaks down faster than brick or stone, especially in joints exposed to weather. Failed mortar lets water in and causes cascading damage.
• Wobbly or unstable handrails: Railings anchored into masonry can work loose over time, creating a serious safety risk when someone grabs them for support.
• Poor drainage causing water damage: Steps without proper drainage channels collect water, which seeps into the masonry and causes freeze-thaw damage, erosion, and structural failure.

When you call us for a step repair consultation, we inspect the entire structure from top to bottom. We check the foundation, look for settling, test mortar strength, and identify any drainage problems. Then we explain exactly what needs to be fixed and why. Some repairs are straightforward, like repointing mortar joints or replacing a few damaged bricks. Others require more extensive work, like rebuilding the foundation or reconstructing entire sections.

We give you honest recommendations based on safety and long-term value. If your steps can be repaired, we will tell you. If they need to be rebuilt, we will explain why and show you options that fit your budget and style preferences.

When we build new steps, we do not just stack bricks or stones together and hope they hold. We follow proven engineering principles and construction methods that ensure your steps remain safe, stable, and beautiful for decades. Here is what goes into every staircase we build.

Foundation and Structure

Every step project starts with a proper foundation. We excavate below the frost line, pour reinforced concrete footings, and create a stable base that will not shift or settle. The foundation extends deep enough to resist frost heave and wide enough to support the weight of the entire structure plus live loads from people using the steps. We also install drainage systems at the foundation level to prevent water accumulation that could undermine the structure.

For attached steps, we properly tie the new construction into your existing foundation or porch structure. For freestanding steps, we create independent footings sized appropriately for the height and span of the staircase. We never cut corners on foundations because that is where most step failures begin.

Materials and Design

We work with a wide range of materials including brick, natural stone, concrete pavers, and combinations of materials. During your consultation, we discuss your home's style, your budget, and your preferences. We show you samples and explain the pros and cons of each option. Brick offers classic beauty and works well with traditional homes. Natural stone like limestone or flagstone creates a rustic, elegant look. Concrete pavers provide durability and come in many colors and textures.

We design steps to meet building codes for riser height, tread depth, and handrail requirements. Proper step geometry is not just about codes, it is about safety and comfort. Steps that are too steep, too narrow, or inconsistent in height create trip hazards. We build every step to be safe and easy to use for people of all ages and abilities.

If you are interested in other outdoor masonry features, we also build custom patios that can complement your new steps and create a cohesive outdoor living area.