Are Unlevel Steps Dangerous?

Uneven, unstable, or damaged steps are dangerous for a number of reasons. Not only can they be a sign that more trouble is on the way, but they can also be actively harmful to you and your family (as well as anyone who visits you). 

Accidents are Common on Unlevel Steps 

Damaged steps that have become tilted, unstable, or uneven in any way are incredibly dangerous to anyone traversing them, particularly if they are already vulnerable. Elderly people, young children, and people who have underlying issues with mobility or depth perception, for example, will be at huge risk of falling, especially if there is no handrail. 

A fall on concrete steps, even small ones, can be incredibly dangerous for anyone, but especially the elderly, who are more likely to break a bone when they fall onto a hard surface. As such, it is best to deal with unlevel or unstable concrete steps and surfaces as quickly as possible. This will save you from injury and medical costs in the long run. 

Unlevel Steps Are a Warning 

As well as posing a risk to your immediate health and well-being, unlevel steps are a warning sign that the structure of your property is in danger, too. After all, the most common cause of damage and sinking in concrete steps (whether they are interior or exterior) is weak or expansive soil. These issues, of course, are not localized and will impact your whole property. 

Weak, loose, or marshy soil, for example, can cause concrete steps and driveways to sink overtime. As such, it is only natural that they can also impact a property’s foundation and cause them to sink or subside. As such, investigating when you see damage to concrete steps may help you catch foundation problems before they snowball.