new concrete patio over old: Can we do it?
#1
10-20-08, 06:43 AM
new concrete patio over old: Can we do it?
The entire back of my house (probably 80ft) has a concrete patio around it. Generally it's about 4-8 ft coming out from the house depending on the area. It's in rather poor shape, having heaved and cracked. I have a problem with water getting in my crawlspace at various places all along the house. The grade is towards my house 
. So for the back of the house a contractor proposed to just pour 4 inches of concrete against the house and gently slope the new 'patio' out and away from the house in all the appropriate locations. he also has to move 2 oil tanks temporarily and run a new line so i have heat in this cold.
I heard years ago that concrete on top of concrete is a no no and asked him about it. He said it's not a problem and he's done it before and it wont go anywhere. Also I was worried wouldnt water somehow get between the layers and he said no. A friends family did have him put a roof on their house and he's done other various work for their friends and they appear to be all happy. But no one has had regrading work done.
so what do you think about pouring over old concrete?
. So for the back of the house a contractor proposed to just pour 4 inches of concrete against the house and gently slope the new 'patio' out and away from the house in all the appropriate locations. he also has to move 2 oil tanks temporarily and run a new line so i have heat in this cold. I heard years ago that concrete on top of concrete is a no no and asked him about it. He said it's not a problem and he's done it before and it wont go anywhere. Also I was worried wouldnt water somehow get between the layers and he said no. A friends family did have him put a roof on their house and he's done other various work for their friends and they appear to be all happy. But no one has had regrading work done.
so what do you think about pouring over old concrete?
#2
10-20-08, 01:27 PM
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I think it is a waste of money, and may even cause more problems. Break it out, regrade and re-pour.
#4
10-20-08, 06:22 PM
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Any cracking or movement will simply mirror through the new concrete. You are not solving the problem, you are doing a temporary cosmetic repair. Tell this guy to stick to roofs or get a license, because he does not have a clue about concrete.
#5
10-21-08, 05:17 AM
k thanks for the advice. Plus i'm assuming concrete is WAY more expensive than dirt right? (honestly i have no clue what dirt costs but do know a 12x12 pad cost me over $1000 for a guy to pour
however there is one point that must get at least a 'curb'. The water all runs down my yard and towards my breezeway. The house has a very slight grade away from it at the breezeway but not enough..once there's more than 2 inches of water at the low point, it's high enough to get in the breezeway door. So i'm positively getting some sort of step/curve for those 10ft to block off the breezeway and prevent water from reaching it
so tell me dirt/grading is cheaper then concrete and i'll be happy (ok i'm curious if it's true honestly)
however there is one point that must get at least a 'curb'. The water all runs down my yard and towards my breezeway. The house has a very slight grade away from it at the breezeway but not enough..once there's more than 2 inches of water at the low point, it's high enough to get in the breezeway door. So i'm positively getting some sort of step/curve for those 10ft to block off the breezeway and prevent water from reaching it
so tell me dirt/grading is cheaper then concrete and i'll be happy (ok i'm curious if it's true honestly)
#6
10-21-08, 05:37 AM
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Dirt is 30 bucks a yard delivered. Concrete is over 100. You and a shovel and rake can grade dirt, while it takes a concrete and finishing crew to place concrete.
The worst part is removing the existing, which is hard work.
The worst part is removing the existing, which is hard work.
#7
10-21-08, 06:13 AM
thanks for the comparision. Yes i cannot imagine the manual labor in removing all my concrete. PLUS there's an inground oil tank in the way if they start jackhammering it out. Sigh..oh then there are 2 above ground tanks that would need to be moved plus the oil lines run along the house about 25 or so feet and i worry about them. Such a production!
I guess would be different if big machines could get in here but they cant. I have a 5ft access for bobcat or whatever to get in here.
I guess i should call the guy and say forget about concrete, i think it will be too expensive and just price me out with dirt all around the house.
I guess would be different if big machines could get in here but they cant. I have a 5ft access for bobcat or whatever to get in here.
I guess i should call the guy and say forget about concrete, i think it will be too expensive and just price me out with dirt all around the house.
