Concrete repair/finish ideas

[AllDodge]

Contractor poured pouches in front and rear, and it shows the forms didn't go all the way down to the ground. Wondered why he dumped dirt against his forms before pouring but now I know. Maybe a concrete saw and cut the edges sticking out. If I try to break them off, most likely more of the side will break.

The normal ground level around the house can be seen. Can push dirt up but over time its going to wear down and look bad again. To put in perspective, I placed a square 1.4 inch paver and the rough stuff is at the top edge of the paver

Think of diamond blade on a grinder to cut it off flush, but then it does reach the ground, and while not much, its still there

Looking for ideas of how to make it look better.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Howdy AD,.... How does the rise of the lower step, match up to the 2nd step,..??

 

[AllDodge]

Howdy Bondo,
They are the same (used 2x6 on top and bottom so 5.5 inches) to the rough stuff.

 

[Bondo]

Well that *****,.....

You could grind the bad spot with an angle grinder, 'n probably get a decent finish,....
Maybe go to a flap-disc once ya get it close,.....

 

[bmxdukie]

Are you goi g to place a sidewalk along the wall from that step? If so, just cut it and dowel it to the new walkway.

 

[AllDodge]

Just can't find good help these days. The guy that did it was a Mennonite, and I assumed he would do a great job. That's what I get for "assume" ing. I did see it was slightly above but figured he knew how to do it.

All he did was pile dirt against the form

If I level everything the rock will start falling out from under it

BTW, this is just the step, the entire porch on both sides are the same issue

 

[AllDodge]

Are you goi g to place a sidewalk along the wall from that step? If so, just cut it and dowel it to the new walkway.

That wasn't my plan, I wanted to just have grass up to the step, but need to do something else now

 

[Renegade1LI]

Contractor poured pouches in front and rear, and it shows the forms didn't go all the way down to the ground. Wondered why he dumped dirt against his forms before pouring but now I know. Maybe a concrete saw and cut the edges sticking out. If I try to break them off, most likely more of the side will break.

The normal ground level around the house can be seen. Can push dirt up but over time its going to wear down and look bad again. To put in perspective, I placed a square 1.4 inch paver and the rough stuff is at the top edge of the paver

Think of diamond blade on a grinder to cut it off flush, but then it does reach the ground, and while not much, its still there

Looking for ideas of how to make it look better.

I would dig out 3" of soil and pour a single flag of sidewalk, keep top of sidewalk the correct height below the tread. If there is still rough concrete bush it flat and rub the vertical face with concrete finisher, do the whole face so it's all the same. I would also be concerned about water getting between the slab and building, at this point all you can really do is caulk it, go down the face to the existing concrete foundation.

 

[AllDodge]

at this point all you can really do is caulk it, go down the face to the existing concrete foundation.

Caulk between dirt and concrete?
If so with what?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Caulk between the concrete and siding along your porch, I would be concerned with water behind the concrete against the house. Did he pour against the siding? Can't tell from pic.

 

[AllDodge]

Yes he poured against the house

 

[Renegade1LI]

Yes he poured against the house

Any felt or insulation between the concrete and siding? Or he used the siding as a form?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Here's a good article about pouring concrete against siding, not trying to be negative but you will have issues down the road.
https://www.buellinspections.com/most-builders-do-it-this-way-how-can-it-be-wrong/

 

[AllDodge]

Maybe.
The article shows where concrete is poured against wood siding. This house has Vinyl siding over 8 inch wood siding. In the pic also note that the concrete foundation is tapered. Not saying there will not be an issue, but for the most part the vinyl siding is flashing the wood siding under it.

Appreciate the insight and will keep it in mind.

 

[AllDodge]

And there is metal flashing from where you see the J channel come down this side of the door down the full length of the slab

 

[dcg9381]

Cut / grind that end off. Do pavers as the next "step" down. They'll raise the "ground" a bit.

 

[AllDodge]

That's what I did, and placed the pavers at a slant to it wouldn't be a trip hazard. Can see there is another gar past the steps. Just ticks me off getting

 

[Hunt2871]

This is why I try not to pay anyone to do anything. If I screw it up...and believe me I do as often as not...at least I have no one else to blame. If I had that mess and had paid for it I'd be livid.

You could probably chip it off with a chipping hammer and a light hand and make it oresentable but the bigger issue is whats under that step and the concrete being poured against the siding with nothing allowing for expansion or water. If it gets cold in the winter something is gonna give. If the step was poured on the grad level as it appears the same thing is going to be true under the step.

 

[AllDodge]

I use to do all this my self and not going to get into why I'm hiring now

Not going to try a chipping hammer, could make matters worst