Easy ways to fix concrete steps that are chipped?
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Patching concrete is always a bit iffy because of the bond, and ttrying to get a good match in color. I would suggest that there are good products out there and the repairs can be long term. I think that this depends on the depth and size of the chips.
The main problem I see is lack of proper prep work. If you do this well your patch will last much longer. It is critical to cut a slot around the chip to provide a square edge to termminate against instead of just patching as is which provides a feather edge rapair at the outer edge.
You can use a hammer and a sharp chisel or a saw with a carboindum blade to chip/cut a 1/4" slot around the chip. Then chip out the concrete within the slot. Apply a bonding agent to the chip and then build the patch in place packing it by hand tightly. Trowel the finish to match and allow it to cure for an hour. Then use a sponge and brush with water to scrub the mortar smear.
You can get quickcrete concrete repair mortar at most Big box stores. This is a good polymer modified patching mix and as long as you apply bonding agent OR a slurry of the wet patch mix to the chip before repairing it you should get a good repair.
If there is a large area then you might be better off to build a wood form after you prep all the edges and spalls and then pour and pack the material into the form. If you go this way keep checking on the mix and pop the forms before it gets too hard so you can clean and fill in low spots before total cure.
Sorry, there is no easy way. New concrete doesn't stick to old concrete all that well.
I guess the best thing to do is to make a wood frame around the step to form the new step, and use masonry bits to drill some holes into the old step so the new cement can fill them and "anchor" itself in place. You might want to try using grout mix instead of regular cement mix, since it will be hard to fit all those pebbles in conveniently.
It might also be possible to do without the mold, if you make the cement a little thick, and use a trowel to shape it in place. Be sure to smear some around on the nearby "good " parts of the step, so it stays in place.
Whichever you do, it'll tend to look pretty lousy. Painting the steps might improve the appearance.
Some folks claim that there are a few pretty good epoxy mixes that work well instead if it's a small batch.
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