How do I smooth out extremely rough concrete

[Gavin_mire]

Hey Guys, I'm thinking about buying this house but the previous owner did a terrible job on the concrete & I was hoping on getting some advice on how to smooth it out of possible. Please check out the pictures attached and give advice if you've got any. Thanks!

 

[gnpenning]

That looks rough enough you could pour over the top and have plenty to bite to.....

Grind it.

 

[rjacobs]

WHO in their right mind would look at that and think "yea thats about right" or "yup looks like every other driveway/garage floor ive ever seen"...

Smoother over with a hard tine rake.

 

[TK-421]

My first thought would be to pour concrete on top of it, and then smooth that concrete, rather than trying to smooth out that horrendous mess.

 

[TurnipTruck]

My first thought after seeing that mess was they intended to stick outdoor tile or slate to it and needed some tooth for the mortar.

 

[johnnyradiant]

I'll stick with TurnipTruck's first thought too. The way it has been finished actually looks more like they worked at it to get it that way. It looks like they etched the date in it like they were actually proud of their work. It would take a lot to slip on that at least, of course it is rough enough you might trip on it.

They have diamond floor grinders much like a wood floor sander or a buffer that commercial janitor's use. Or you can get a handheld Makita or the like, just make sure you get your hands on something with a good dust vac system.

 

[ssdave]

If you're not in a freezing climate, you may be able to trowel over it with high strength grout or concrete surface patch.

Or, cover it with patio paver, grouted in place. Or tile.

If you're in a freezing climate, the repair is more problematic. Grind smooth, substantial topping slab, or maybe cover with paver or tile, with provision to not let moisture get under and delaminate them on freezing.

 

[DIC]

Looks pretty slip resistant

 

[ard]

Nice job clamping ledgers for that added structure over the exterior Windows!

I'm sure they have permits for all that work....

 

[pstnbly]

Ya think that fluorescent lighting is outdoor rated? Looks like a bunch of hokey **** going on with that place. I'd run not walk from there.

 

[wssix99]

If you are going to keep the bare concrete, you'd get a concrete grinder and polish it down. (Then... it will probably be too slippery for you.) Your best bet would probably be to tile it, if your climate will allow that.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Nice job clamping ledgers for that added structure over the exterior Windows!

I'm sure they have permits for all that work....

Hey, at least they left the bottom half of the windows exposed enough to be able to open and close the storm windows and the screens!

I am sure this was all inspected by grandpa and given his seal O' approval.

Jim

 

[CN Spots]

Every time I wrecked my bike as a kid... THAT is the stuff that I wrecked on.

Is that an AC condenser in the garage?

 

[n20junkie]

Sombody confused a garden rake for a bull float.

 

[bigcow94]

God forbid those windows need to be replaced! Unless it is a screaming deal and you're planning on tearing that roof off, I'd just slowly back away and forget I even saw that place[emoji15]

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

 

[txvwnut]

Just tell the realtor you'll have to think about and then go and try and drink that image from your memory. Just seeing what's in those two pics makes me wonder what else is half assed together with that place.

 

[pcmeiners]

Also believe tile is your best bet, patch is not going to do it; it bad but I actually have seen worse. Like others, I am sure his expertise carried on to electric and plumbing work.

 

[-Brent-]

I'm not sure creating three threads was done on purpose. Can we get a mod to combine them?

 

[unslow1]

Seriously, I really hope you are having a pro inspect the place for you.

 

[Radix2]

My first thought after seeing that mess was they intended to stick outdoor tile or slate to it and needed some tooth for the mortar.

+1, I think that is what they were planning.

probably cheaper to replace than to grind it...?

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Tile it

 

[rburke65]

With a back hoe?

 

[slidewayes]

Call a concrete cutting co. most do grinding on a hourly rate you could fix that good enough to put an epoxy coting on it ,BUT If the people that did that work for a finish I would question the work you cant see