My deck stairs heaved about two inches after this winter in Riverview — can i just reset them or do i need new footings?

Your deck stairs likely need new footings below the frost line — simply resetting them on the same shallow footings will just lead to the same heaving next winter.

Frost heave is extremely common in New Brunswick with our 4+ foot frost line depth and frequent freeze-thaw cycles. When footings aren't deep enough, moisture freezes underneath and literally pushes the structure upward. In the Riverview area, you're dealing with clay soils that hold moisture and are particularly susceptible to frost action.

Proper stair footings need to extend at least 4 feet below grade to get below the frost line. Most heaved stairs were originally built on shallow concrete pads, deck blocks, or footings that only went down 12-18 inches. The Town of Riverview requires building permits for deck construction, and their inspectors will verify proper footing depth — this is exactly why the code exists.

For a typical 3-4 step stair run, expect to pay $800-1,500 for proper concrete footings (including excavation, forming, concrete, and labour), plus $400-800 to rebuild the stair stringers if they were damaged during the heaving. If you're handy with carpentry, you could potentially rebuild the stairs yourself after a contractor installs proper footings, but the excavation and concrete work should be done professionally.

The smart approach: Contact the Town of Riverview Development Services to confirm if you need a building permit for the repair. Since you're replacing footings, you likely do. A licensed contractor can dig below the frost line, install proper footings with rebar, and ensure everything meets the National Building Code requirements that take effect May 1, 2025.

Immediate safety concern: Check if the heaved stairs are now unstable or have loose railings. If so, block access until repairs are made. Don't just prop them back down — someone could get seriously hurt if they shift unexpectedly.

The work is best done in late spring through early fall when ground conditions are stable. Browse contractors in our directory at New Brunswick Construction Network who can assess the damage and provide proper frost-protected footings that will last decades.