How to fix an uneven concrete patch?

[BrianC]

Hi, I have a small section outside a garage door which is under-cover of a patio, along the door on the left side is a small section about 12mm wide and 12mm deep running the full width of the door and on the right and front sides of the old pebblecrete is a rough section of concrete which is very even. I would just like to smooth it out level so I could possibly paint it or do something else you might suggest to blend it into the old black and white tiles. I am not in a position to get someone in to dig it out and re-concrete so would appreciate any ideas for a relatively easy fix for an old fella to do. Thank You

[Jewelleryrescue · Accepted solution]

Hi @BrianC 

Tearing up perfectly usable  concrete is hard  work so  please avoid  this us old buggers dont need that exercise. 

There is  products 20kg floor leveller you can use basically  mix it up and pour it on and all the holes smoothing with a   Using a  metal  trowel.  will be filled and form a  flat concrete surface and you can  paint it or tile it,  Follow  bag instruction. 

Mix it in a bucket and pour it on the  concrete use the trowel  to  push honey like liquid into the low  spots and fill them a  fairly painless task.  You will end up  with a smooth flat slab.

Maybe a  bit slippery in the  wet so if you  paint it sprinkle some sand on it immediatly after you  paint then  do  second  coat when  dry.

I am thinking that maybe you might find some  out door tiles and glue them over the concrete as a   choice. and skip the self leveling bit.

On special  at bunnings now  is some charcoal matt ceramic-floor-tile-carton-of-9_   $19 and will fill you  space.

Just need some  tile glue  and a  tile cutter maybe or angle grinder. 

Another  option is a rubber mat  or your standard  door mat. No work  required

[BrianC]

Thank you, I was thinking Leveller but wasn't sure if suitable for that but after reading comments and reviews I think it would do the trick. I had initially thought about tiles but it is a very even surface so some tile cement would have to be very thick in places and it would also create a ridge where it meets the current patio tiles. So I think the leveller is the way to go. Thank you for your reply.

[EricL]

Hello @BrianC 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about patching an uneven section of your concrete floor.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Jewelleryrescue. Just to add to the suggestions made, I also recommend looking at the Lanko 20kg 173 Floor Leveller, Dingo 20kg Floor Leveller and Dunlop 20kg Ardit Floor Leveller. These floor levellers are all rated for outdoor use and among the three the Dingo floor leveller is suitable for use in wet areas. Looking closely at the photo you posted does water gather on the low section of the floor when it rains? Does it drain away or does the water simply evaporate during the day?

The reason I ask is because if you level off that section will the water still drain properly, or will it flow towards your garage? It's just one of those things you need to take into consideration when you relevel your concrete floor. Should you decide to use the floor leveller, I also recommend using the Dunlop 4L Multipurpose Primer in order to enhance the bond between the two materials.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @BrianC 

again agreeing with both @EricL and @Jewelleryrescue on using the floor levelling product. I have attached a few before and after photos of a couple of floors I needed to level prior to tiling. I use the Davco product which I have found excellent.

A couple of very import tips:

Use a level to check and mark with chalk the low points to where it meets the level you need to acheive.

If there is any outer areas the leveller can seep out to, dam is or it will find its way out.

• Follow the instructions!
• Ensure you use a high-powered drill on low range with a mixer attachment. 
• Get all the lumps out of the mix and ensure you mix right in to the corner of the bucket
• Use a level to check and mark with chalk the low points to where it meets the level you need to acheive.
• If there is any outer areas the leveller can seep out to, dam is or it will find its way out.
• Start your pour in the deepest area first, but be Careful not to over pout as its harder to remove the high section you have created
• Leveller goes off very fast so you have about 5min max to use the float to feather out the edges to where max actual level height is and leave it. Do not continue to smooth out the top layer, let it do its work or you will leave uneven ripples.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Morning @BrianC 

Going through the replies I do agree with the leveler being able to smooth the area out. But am concerned as @EricL mentions about where the water will go?

The existing concrete (maybe covered with pebblecreate) looks like its a slow curve that is meant to funnel water away from the edge of the shed and the patio?

What will happen to the water that looks like it falls there a resonable amount of the time?

It looks like there is a toe jab point at the bottom of the picture?  (Stranngely I have noticed the uneven footpath joins at work have now been ground down to be a smoothish ramp so that could be done if its too high)

Is it possible to cover the area between the shed and the patio to stop water pooling there? Then there would be no issues created by using the floor leveler.

Dave