Quick question about bad concrete job

[andrew2202]

So I just added more concrete to my backyard and the guys who did it, did a terrible job. It is uneven, puddles form when you water, there are marks they made before the concrete could dry.They finished 3 days ago, I called the contractor and they said there is a way they can make the surface even (I think the word he used was skimming).

My immediate thoughts were that the new concrete won't be as strong and will be prone to cracking but my contractor tells me it won't crack easier than the original concrete. I know nothing about this but I don't see how it will be as strong as the concrete that is already in place. The concrete they just put in is 4 inches thick.

So my question is, are there ways you can even out a bad concrete job that will be as strong as the original?

Thanks!

 

[kd3pc]

simple answer....NO...a skim coat will not be stronger, nor will it likely adhere long term and it will likely crack, quickly.

They can make the surface "even" by using a poly leveling compound or slurry of cement and such.

 

[Justanoldguy]

So my question is, are there ways you can even out a bad concrete job that will be as strong as the original?

Thanks!

Quick answer to quick question.

NO.

 

[RossABQ]

How big an area was poured? A sidewalk, or a new patio?

 

[Playwme]

I think I'd prefer grinding flat to pouring any kind of skim coat. If they can't get a 4 inch slab right then what chance do they have with a fine coat.

 

[Chaznsc]

My experience with these liars.....I mean contractors is they will put down some crappy *** patch made with magic dust. It will let go a week from now.

 

[Keithinsc]

Have you paid them yet?
As others have said, nothing will be right after the original pour has cured.

Do you have any leverage to have it torn out and re-poured?

 

[Trey T]

Sounds like you hired an inexperienced or undertrained crew.

Everytime I do an informal interview on the people I hire, they look at me weird, but I believe it's important to know their qualification regardless the type of service. In construction, most of the time, there should always be oversight (qualified oversight personnel) or else the contractor will do a crappy job. I see this quite often but you have to understand the risk you take.

I'm not trying to make fun of the situation but I've worked with people and they're too trusting in contractors.

 

[beetlespin]

I had this happen when I requested a level slab for a hot tub. Wish I could find the pictures. It was WAY off level and lumpy. I have no idea how they did this. Got the crook to give me half my money back. I still see signs for his work around town and do not understand why those jobs look great and mine was horrible.

I made some new forms about 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller then the **** job and just re-poured over it. Also drove some concrete nails into the **** slab.

Just removed the hot tub after 12 years. Slab is all discolored but is solid.

Good Luck.

 

[bczygan]

I hope you haven't given him ANY money yet.

And that you have a performance bond for the amount required to tear out and replace it.

That is the only way for an owner to fully protect themselves.

 

[bczygan]

If he won't tear out and replace, fire him and find a qualified contractor to do it.

Then take the original guy to small claims court to recover your costs.

 

[Jazz]

Grinding would be the only option with any real strength, anything else will just be cosmetic and won't last as long as the rest of the slap IMO.

 

[BassProCamaro97]

No. Any skim coating that will be done will be prone to aggregate popping if there is even any aggregate being used in the skim coat. Concrete is meant to be poured in a single lift. I would absolutely make him tear it out.

Durability on a skim coat will be severely diminished to the point that it's not even worth installing. Don't do it. Make sure it's done right.

 

[Justanoldguy]

If height is not an issue, then pour another 3 to 4 inches over top of it.
That will fix it.
But use a qualified contractor.