Backdoor is upper left and cellar door is on the right.
Concrete pad repair (for exterior steps and landing).
by Don
+18
What can I do here guys? I need to repair or replace the concrete to make a solid foundation for some steps leading up to a landing for my back door. Can I pour over existing? Looking for least expensive option.
New concrete will not bond to old concrete. Old concrete would need to be removed. Area would need to be dug up. Gravel base then a new concrete pour. Should be 3" to 4" thick. Looks like a thin layer of concrete poured over dirt. That's why it failed.
Here is some information to help you. https://indecorativeconcrete.com/placing-new-concrete-over-old/
Hi Don, it looks like the original concrete was too thin and while you can pour concrete over concrete you'll need to fix the underlying problems first. This tutorial should give you some ideas what needs to be done - https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Concrete-to-Existing-Concrete. At the end of the day it's probably going to be easier to remove the old concrete. You can probably smash it up to use as aggregates for your new pouring. Best of luck and stay safe
Hi - this guide on concrete should help: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/fixes-for-worn-concrete/
Yes, remove old concrete. You might want to call a contractor on this one because they can break up and remove the old concrete and start over. Unfortunately you can't really even put pavers down on top of this concrete with it being so uneven and broken up. I know this isn't an inexpensive option but you will be so much happier with it redone. Just do some research on how much it would cost to get a new patio there and get a few quotes. We got really screwed by a concrete contractor a couple of years ago. Here is a list of questions you might want to think about when you have them come out to give you a "free" quote!
https://karupp-did.net/patio-contractor-deceit-questions/
The issue with pouring over the existing is an unstable base. I would recommend you to remove existing then frame the area to contain the concrete. You can use 2x4's to frame it. You can either rent a concrete mixer or purchase one from Harbor Freight if you think it will take more than 2 days. We bought one because we had several small projects.
You can purchase concrete mix that is just add water at most home improvement stores. It is possible to mix in a wheel barrow with a hoe but it is very hard work. However, it would be the least expensive way to mix.
one thing you could do is build a deck like over the concrete and that way you won't have to tear out the old concrete and repour new
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDlbcTFI90o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd8WssC8XCo
Due to the large cracks throughout, I'd think you'd want to take it all up, level the ground and pour fresh concrete. Not the cheapest option, but probably the best for a base for new steps. Good luck!
As always the prep work is very important in any project. Looks as though that wasn't done in the area in the past. Best to tear it all out, dig down, add appropriate gravel and start over. Though more expensive than trying to patch and make do, you'll be better off to do it over and you'll enjoy the use of the area for years to come. Best of luck on your project.
Adding a deck or new concrete or anything over the old concrete isn't an option even if it were possible. You cant go any higher. The existing door is even with the existing concrete right now.
I agree the old needs to come up so you can do a proper base for drainage and to make sure everything slopes away from the house. Don't forget to install some kind of barrier between the house and whatever you decide to install. Trapped moisture can rot your house. Also make sure you are slightly lower than your house so water doesn't come in.
JMO. If youre going to DIY I would do a paver patio. It looks nice and you can work at your own pace. Also it drains well. And its easier to repair if needed. Since you have a small area you could use expensive pavers. I used 16 x 8 concrete pavers in a brick pattern for my patio. I got them at Home Depot for just $1.15 each.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/16-in-x-8-in-x-1-75-in-Pewter-Concrete-Step-Stone-74000/202026920?mtc=Shopping-B-F_D28O-G-D28O-28_28_HARDSCAPES-MULTI-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP_Browse_Only&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D28O-G-D28O-28_28_HARDSCAPES-MULTI-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP_Browse_Only-71700000048031254-58700004794521395-92700041085577733&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrervxdjq6AIV0v3jBx1e0w4nEAQYASABEgKB6fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds