I'm facing a tricky situation with my home's entryway. We previously had concrete steps leading up to our main door, but they sunk too low, and we decided to replace them with wooden ones. Our contractor suggested just building the new wooden stairs over the old concrete ones, leaving the concrete hidden. However, I suspect that mice might be entering the house from behind those old stairs, since we've sealed up all other potential entry points. I need advice on how to get rid of the concrete steps without disrupting the new wooden stairs, or at minimum, how to seal off that entry point I can't access. Any help would be appreciated!
3 Answers
You might also look into using expansive demolition grout for removing the concrete. I had success with it in my 1920s house, though drilling into that old concrete was no walk in the park. Just make sure the old steps won’t affect the new stairs before you choose your method.
Consider hiring a pest control company. They can effectively find and seal the entry points where mice are getting in, often with a guarantee for their work. This is a less stressful and cheaper option in the long run than trying to deal with it all yourself.
If you're determined to remove the concrete steps yourself, get ready for some hard work. You’ll want to use a small sledgehammer and break the concrete up, but wear safety gear! If the concrete supports the wooden stairs, you might need something stronger, like a rotary hammer. But make sure you assess the situation before diving in.