What is the best preparation for mosaicing an existing cement patio?
by
Marlena
+17
We will be moving into our own home and there is a small cement patio in the backyard. It has a good size crack and I got the idea to do a mosaic over the entire surface. My concern is the crack continuing to open. What do you think?
This is the cement patio that I want to cover because of the crack in the cement with a mosaic.
18 answers
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You can never guarantee cracks in concrete only manage them use a concrete cauling sealeant and then do what you want.
Bordeaux Construction Services
on Aug 15, 2013
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@Bordeaux Construction Services - Thank you for the suggestion!
Marlena
on Aug 15, 2013
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The patio should be torn up. The crack (assuming the photo is that patio) has lifted and not simply spread apart. This will only continue to worsen and adding any tiles regardless of size or thickness will crack right along with it. It appears that no rebar or wire was used to help strengthen the cement when it was Poured. If you want to salvage this patio, you can always get it mud jacked level. But the size of this slab says it would be lower cost to remove it and pour another new on on the same site.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Aug 15, 2013
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@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Thank you very much for the detailed response. I will refer to your post here when the time comes.
Marlena
on Aug 16, 2013
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We rented a jack hammerish thing to break up concrete when tackling some ugly concrete. It was reasonable and our local lumberyard provided safety gear (ear/eye) and solid support. Let me tell you, old teenage boys think this is about the coolest thing to do. We were able to recycle some of the pieces into a cobblestone walk way and hauled the rest to our local green landfill (takes yard waste and concrete rubble only--recycles the latter). You might consider doing the demo yourself. It would save a lot of bucks.
Lori J
on Aug 16, 2013
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@Lori J thank you for the suggestion... I'll have to slowly introduce it to my husband! lol He does have a friend with teenage boys... I'll pitch like you suggested!
Marlena
on Aug 16, 2013
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Breaking up this patio should not be that hard to do. It appears quite thin and its size is small enough to do it yourself. Any small contractor or mason can do this whole job in a single day if you wanted it done. Cost would be based upon the size it appears, I would guess around $500 for the entire project.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Aug 17, 2013
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@Marlena, I too would take it up and yes use the boys and hubby's strength and use pieces, for now, as walkway. You have to consider what might be under the concrete, could be an old well, oil tank, hole or nothing, but I have found odd things in yards of previous homes, old septic field, check that out before breaking it up, if you cannot lift it for awhile then put some nice potted plants on it. Congrats on your new home and enjoy, I am still changing mine after 4 years so live with it for awhile and see where your best light and nicest view etc are in the yard first before you change it, just a suggestion good luck, send pics when you decide for next year enjoy!
Jean McKay
on Aug 17, 2013
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@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Thank you very much for the information! I will talk this over with my husband.
Marlena
on Aug 18, 2013
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why waiste a $1500 piece of concrete? apply a floor leveler to repair the crack with mesh tape. Install your mosaic tile and grout it.
Bordeaux Construction Services
on Aug 19, 2013
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@Bordeaux Construction Services where would I rent a floor leveler? One of those tool renting or Menards? Some place like that? This sounds like a great idea. Thank you!
Marlena
on Aug 19, 2013
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@Bordeaux Construction Services I figure it out that its a compound! Thanks!
Marlena
on Aug 19, 2013
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a floor leveler is a powder you mix then you can apply it to the crack and float it out with a trowel levell Any floor guy could do this for you or you could do it yourself. The key is just to make it as smooth as possible . You mix with water about the consistancy of thin peanut butter and spead with a trowel. home depot or lowes has the product.
Bordeaux Construction Services
on Aug 19, 2013
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@Bordeaux Construction Services Thank you for your suggestion! I will definitely try this one!
Marlena
on Aug 19, 2013
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I hate to disagree on that. The patio has sunk into the ground which is why it cracked. Putting a mesh on the surface at this point in time along with pouring leveling compound on it will do nothing to make the slab stronger or prevent it from moving should you experience a freeze thaw cycle or lots of rain. The only sure fire method to fix this is to remove it, properly prepare the soils and pour another slab with the reinforcement required for the size of the patio desired. You will waste your money doing it any other way. While this method may work in an area where freezing may not be a concern, but in MI you get a deep freeze that oftentimes causes the soils to heave and move. This is why you have such deep footings in your homes in that part of the country.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Aug 19, 2013
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@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Thank you for your detailed suggestions. I will just to get rid of it. What if I were to put a deck over the top of this?
Marlena
on Aug 20, 2013
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Yes a deck over the top would work, however you would need to extend the deck beyond the patio and place footings to support it. As the patio is not structural and will continue to move up and down with the seasons. IT is not to say you cannot simply place the deck on top of the patio, you can, but if you want the deck to last and stay level you cannot let it be supported by a moving cement slab. If the crack was much smaller and the deck did not move as much as it did, then I would not worry to much., but from the photo it appears that it has settled quite a bit over the years.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Aug 20, 2013
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@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Thank you! This is what we will do following your suggestions.
Marlena
on Aug 20, 2013
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