Steps Repair in Fordham Heights, Bronx

Why Do Steps Fail on Sloped Lots in Fordham Heights?

Steps on a hill carry more water and more load. In Fordham Heights, many buildings sit above street level, so a flight of steps or a long run of stairs connects the sidewalk to the entrance. Runoff pours down those stairs and wears the treads, joints and landings.

The grades fall steeply toward the Harlem River around University Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue. A building may need ten or more steps to reach its door, and each step is a spot where water can pool, freeze and crack.

• Treads chipped at the nosing
• Landings that tilt away from level
• Steps pulling from a retaining wall
• Loose or rusted handrails
• Open joints in masonry stairs
• Algae and ice on shaded treads

Handrails matter more on steep stairs. A rail that wobbles at the top of a long flight is a real fall risk, especially for older residents and people carrying groceries up from the street.

Shade from the hill and nearby buildings keeps stairs wet longer, so treads on the north side freeze harder and break up faster.

Look at the bottom of the flight too. Water that runs down the stairs collects at the base, and it can undermine the first step and the sidewalk flag beside it. A sunken bottom step is often the first sign that water is getting under the stairs.

Property managers can speed up a visit by counting the steps and noting which landings feel uneven. Photos of the handrail posts and the retaining wall beside the stairs help us plan the crew and the materials.