Any builders in? I could do with some advice please

[gazcos]

Around 18 months ago i had a builder construct a garage for me. To cut a very long story short he let the concrete slab he layed become frost damaged, he left it uncovered and it snowed the day after he laid it. We have been wrangling about this ever since but the result is I'm going to have to sort it myself. I'm posting some pictures to help illustrute the problem but basically the top surface was just pure yellowish sandy dust. I had to sweep that out to expose the aggregate underneath which i then covered with floor paint just so we could use the garage.Now i have decided enough is enough and I'm going to sort it ( I have managed to get some money back from the builder but I dont think it'll be enough to get a decent builder round to dig it all out out and redo it)

 

The top inch can be removed easily with a mallet and bolster then it becomes really hard. Is there something I can pour over the the rough surface if I take the top inch off the slab that will set rock hard? i have tried an self levelling compound from Wickes in a small test area but whilst it set lovely and smooth it seemed easy to dent.

 

If i have to remove the whole slab what would be the best tool to hire to do it. I have MS and whilst its not too bad i dont really want to subject my arms and hands to too much much vibration as I know that can aggrevate my symptoms.

 

Any advice would be usefull, Cheers Gaz

 

[katana]

I'd guess only the top inch or so will have been frost damaged so don't think taking the whole slab up will be necessary (depending on how thick it was specified at?)

Two options a) take up the loose stuff off the top and use an epoxy grout / screed, 10-15mm thick - Sika do a good product, not cheap but it'll set like rock - ok for running steel wheeled fork lifts over or do the same prep, sweep and wash clean, cover the whole slab with dilute PVA glue - Unibond is what I specify usually then add a chicken wire mesh reinforced sand / cement screed over, min. 50mm thick. This will give nice smooth finish if steel floated and give a fairly hard surface - good enough for a garage / workshop anyway but it will be thicker so you'll loose an inch or so of height!

[gazcos]

I'd guess only the top inch or so will have been frost damaged so don't think taking the whole slab up will be necessary (depending on how thick it was specified at?)

Two options a) take up the loose stuff off the top and use an epoxy grout / screed, 10-15mm thick - Sika do a good product, not cheap but it'll set like rock - ok for running steel wheeled fork lifts over or do the same prep, sweep and wash clean, cover the whole slab with dilute PVA glue - Unibond is what I specify usually then add a chicken wire mesh reinforced sand / cement screed over, min. 50mm thick. This will give nice smooth finish if steel floated and give a fairly hard surface - good enough for a garage / workshop anyway but it will be thicker so you'll loose an inch or so of height!

 

 

Thanks for the info mate, I'll do a bit of research. The Sika stuff sounds good !!

[Mr2Caps]

Sika have a good reputation, also Watco seem to have a wide range of products for different circumstances which may be of use.

[Jiffer]

as said an epoxy will do it but is costly, sand and cement floor screed will work but wont be as hard as concrete. another option is a grano floor screed, a bugger to lay because you need to leave it for a while before final floating up but is very strong and will give a nice finish.

[Skimmer]

......Or remove the loose / damaged inch or two and lay a grano floor on the top its whats used in horse stables and old factories and is as hard as granite , beleive me ive laid a few meters of grano