Removing paint from concrete? (rent, how much, store)

[charisb]

We have concrete steps out our back door that look terrible. They have about five different colors of paint coming through different chips along the top and sides. Can anyone recommend someone who will remove the paint layers? We are not DIYers.
I tried to find someone online but I am not even sure what I am looking for.
Thanks.

[erieguy]

Since the different colors of paint are coming through and chipped, a pressure washer will possibly take it off pretty easily.

[guy2073]

You may need a sandblaster to remove the paint. A pressure washer wont be powerful enough to remove the paint. The problem you may run into is the sandblaster may ruin the stairs, it may be cheaper in the long run to replace the stairs.

[gg]

You may be better off painting over the whole thing with a concrete color and be done with it. It isn't easy to remove layers of paint on a surface like concrete because it is so porous.

[pred66]

It would be costly to hire someone to come and watch paint peel,
You can go to the Hardware store or order on line,
Dads paint stripper,
A gallon should work well enough for 4 steps,
Simply paint on heavy,
lay wax paper on top and wait an hour,
Carefully remove the wax paper and hose off,
A light scraping may be required,
There will be pigment remaining in the cement,
But all the layers will most likely be gone,

[Goodjules]

I'd try a pressure washer first and see how much you get off. I had a painted concrete front porch that I was able to get off a lot of the old paint with a garden hose. I assumed that whoever painted it originally didn't prep it properly because much of the paint came off quite easily.

[WildPittBill]

Rent a pressure washer. I removed the paint off a very large concrete patio area with one. You have to move slowly to concentrate the water but it really does work and no chemicals, just water. You will be very wet at the end though so do it on a warm day.

[charisb]

Thank you all so much. You have empowered me to give it a go with a power washer. Wish me luck! Hopefully you won't see an 11 o'clock news story about a woman from Greenfield doing great harm to herself and/or property by pressure washing.