Microtopping/skimcoat questions.

[kaymccampbell]

Microtopping/skimcoat questions.

I have a corncob rough concrete floor that needs updating. I need it to be fireproof, hard, like concrete, and somewhat moistureproof, as the concrete sub stole the moisture barrier. I'm going to remove the flaky paint, grind the floor, fix the cracks. But then I need something very thin to finish smoothing it out before I put some kind of relatively non-flammable finish on it.

I've been seeing these skimcoated floors. Will the skimcoat hold up to vehicular traffic like the base concrete? Can I color it? What sealer will it require?

TIA.

 

[ConCretin]

Your concrete sub stole your moisture barrier? Well that's a new one. So assuming you don't have a vapor barrier, you want to avoid impermeable products such as epoxy that could lift off from water vapor. You could apply a topical vapor barrier but I'll leave that option for the experts to explain.

A cementitious product such as Ardex CD might be a better option. As I watched the video below, it sounds to good to be true but I have a fair amount of experience with this product and it does work surprisingly well.

I have never seen it colored but I don't know why a standard concrete dye wouldn't work. I'd check with the manufacturer to be sure.

No overlay will be as durable as a quality concrete surface but the Ardex should stand up fine to normal vehicular traffic. It will come down to the quality and prep of the substrate. Good luck and sorry for your troubles. I hope your concrete sub gets a good dose of karma.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Yup. I had a really thick, like .060, barrier sheet, and a lot of #3 rebar, that I personally laid and tied the night before the slab was poured. Well, 10 years later, I was running a 4" conduit under the slab and there was no plastic. A bit later I had to cut a chunk out of the slab for some plumbing work and there wasn't any steel at all.

Karma n lawyers got him. After a short legal battle, over piss poor work on the foundation, I wound up just paying for materials. Shortly after that the town shut him down, due to lots of other complaints. Finally, the lawyers n bill collectors cranked him so bad, he stroked out. If he'd just been honest.....

I like the look of the Ardex material. I'll have to see if A.H.Harris carries it, or something like it.

 

[Slowgsr]

I can't believe someone would remove poly and rebar? For 20$ in scrap for the steel? Maybe he took it for another job.