Shea Concrete Stresses Simplicity of Precast Concrete Stair Removal and Installation
Replacing aged concrete stairs often give homeowners headaches due to the removal process. How can something so big and bulky be uninstalled? What many homeowners see as a puzzling is usually a quick fix. Trouble is, many fail to realize this until removal is complete. “The process goes a lot smoother than people think,” said Richie Walsh, Sales Manager for Shea Concrete Products.
“The process goes a lot smoother than people think,” said Richie Walsh, Sales Manager for Shea Concrete Products. “If there’s an existing set of precast steps that need removal, it’s a five-minute process as long as we have access to the set. But it’s a daunting thing to see the aging stairs and you say to yourself, ‘Oh, what am I going to do with them?’”
Shea Concrete has specialized in manufacturing, installing, and removing precast concrete steps for New England homes for over 50 years. The process is old hat for Shea, but many customers are left feeling surprised at how simple the installation and removal processes are.
Much has to do with the hydraulic cranes commonly seen on the rear of Shea’s delivery trucks. The step cranes are capable of lifting up to seven tons and give operators ease of access in the tightest of landscape conditions. But what is more surprising — the ease of access or the minimal use of operators?
“The customers can’t believe it’s just one person that comes to the project site,” Walsh explained. “And that the operation is completed in less than two hours for both the removal and installation of the steps.”
Shea designs and manufactures precast concrete steps that come with brick facing, stone facing, or standard facing. For proper installation, a concrete pad or footing may be required.
Many wonder what the next stop is for expired precast steps. Shea Concrete takes the expired steps off site and eventually makes a delivery to a concrete recycling plant. The ground concrete is then used for various road construction projects.
A recent project reflecting Shea Concrete’s versatility occurred at a Medway, MA residence. The location’s heavy landscaping would lead many to assume the removal or installation process to be a complicated venture. But the help of a hydraulic crane ensured the steps installation was completed in short order.
“They took a lot of pride in their property and had a lot of extensive landscaping — that was their concern,” said Walsh. “We assured them with the equipment that we use to install the stairs that nothing other than what was in the immediate area of where the stairs were going would be disturbed, and we managed to do that.”
