Concrete patio

SKYBOW · May 4, 2014

I have a 20 by 16 concrete patio that the previous owner had covered with treated 2/4's and 5quarter deck boards. I have removed the old "deck" and need to either resurface the concrete or put down another deck. The slab is about 3 inches thick. It has the normal cracks and in some places the concrete is a bit crumbly on top. I know there are ways to refinish concrete but was wondering if it works and is it worth the price. The wife says put down a new deck with the plastic/composite deck boards and forget about it. Just wondering if there is a bit cheaper and less labor required way to get a nice patio/deck.

Thanks

Billy NY · May 4, 2014

It sounds like the concrete has some age and service life as a slab may be over, but you never know, if a fastener would hold, you could re-deck it, hide whats under it and have a nice surface over it, that's value engineering LOL !

Refinishing a fractured slab, spalling and or crumbling, 3" thick existing, which is kind of thin, it may be a waste of time and money. Just break it up, use for fill elsewhere if possible, make sure the subgrade is well drained, suitable for a new slab,etc. A new slab would be better money spent compared to a repair, if you want concrete.

mick in il. · May 5, 2014

There are company's that resurface concrete, from the few I've seen it looks nice but I don't know the cost.

Anonymous-0 · May 5, 2014

I would break up the old concrete, compact it and pour a new concrete deck, unless you don't want the concrete. Wood decks take a lot of maintenance and the newer composite are well in my opinion, not worth it. The newer materials that have came out in the last few year's may be ok, but the older stuff was trash. And if you are in a cold climate they can get slicker than glass when it gets a little damp and freezes. I fell several times, before I got rid of mine and put on wood. Just my experiences and opinion.

Pops1532 · May 5, 2014

Only 3" thick with spalling and cracking. Not enough left to resurface or be suitable to anchor a new "deck" to. Tear it out and pour a new patio.

dpendzic · May 5, 2014

I'm with Billy--whenever we tried to overlay a bridge deck even after chipping out old deteriorated concrete--it would last a little while and then the old concrete underneath would still decay and ruin the overlay---the overlays of high density 3 to 4 inch thick did work much better but still didn't last like a whole new slab

waltdavies · May 5, 2014

Go to Califoria buy some real Redwood then build a nice porch and forget it for the next 100 years or so. My sewer tank was about 50 years old and made of Redwood still in good condition had to replace 2 boards on top when we pumped it out.
Walt

Concrete patio

SKYBOW

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Billy NY

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mick in il.

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Anonymous-0

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Pops1532

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dpendzic

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waltdavies

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