Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be WARNING: Make sure you're wearing proper safety gear, glasses, gloves, and a respirator while you're working with this material, and that the room is well ventilated. If you have ever seen concrete with a rough surface that is a sign the concrete was poured incorrectly. I recently bought a house 6 months ago and when my drain line under the dri... [left] i would like to fix these bricks so they are flat once again. It spreads across uneven slabs, filling in low spots as it creates a new, level surface. It should be placed on the thin end. How to Smooth Out Rough Concrete. So, I have a ceiling to redo. Website operating A sander, grinder, or blaster can take care of this, but you can use chemical strippers as well. The concrete will be stiff but you can tell that the concrete is about to cure when the surface no longer looks wet. I find grinding to be time-consuming and difficult, you need to rent equipment or contract it out, but much depends on what you hope to … Obviously, I'd want the new concrete slab to match the old one as much as possible. Website operating All information is provided "AS IS." to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Do not let the slurry dry on the concrete because it … With both products, be sure to keep wearing eye protection and gloves as well. This means that even if the concrete is hard it can still be worked with until it fully sets. The good news is that concrete can be sanded with relative ease when the proper equipment is used, such as a good concrete sandpaper (made using diamond instead of sand).. Sometime the surface is either too smooth or too rough and needs to be corrected prior to applying the coating. You grind it down or add more cement to finish off smooth. The bull float should have rounded ends, not flat or straight ends. How To Smooth A Rough Concrete Floor. So I am installing a custom tile shower in a basement bathroom. On the other hand, if your cement floor is extremely uneven or has large holes or cracks, you will need a leveling compound to smooth it. We welcome your comments and Pack the fill solidly with a plate compactor. On each successive pass, lift the leading edge of the trowel a little more. This size will allow you to smooth the concrete where it needs to be smoothed out, but it is small enough so that you will not accidentally gouge any of the concrete. One is, you could grind or polish the surface which would remove the rough broom finish and smooth the surface of the concrete. Step 5. Immediately level and prepare further using a bull float. All rights reserved. Ok so long story short. The concrete needs to be leveled out before it solidifies. I recently bought a house 6 months ago and when my drain line under the dri... [left] i would like to fix these bricks so they are flat once again. Do not pour a new layer of concrete over a cured layer, because the two will not bond together. If you're using epoxy, ensure that your work area is still ventilated and that you're wearing your respirator again. Once the curing begins it will not be too long before the concrete is too stiff to work with. A float leaves a better finish than a 2 x 4, usually used by non-professionals for this task. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Pouring a Concrete Walkway 4 - Screeding... Pouring a Concrete Walkway 4 - Screeding and Finishing. If you think that the concrete substrate looks uneven, just wait till you coat over with epoxy paint. We have a poured patio off the back of the house. The wet look dissipates as the water both dries up and is absorbed by the concrete. Step 1 – Spread the Concrete. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. We welcome your comments and Acrylic concrete sealer non-uniform adhesion issues. Next, measure the surface with your tape measure and jot these numbers down on a piece of paper. Preparing for Slab Foundation Construction. You may freely link If the concrete is too thin it will simply begin to slide down the lowest point in the concrete. You might think man-made stone would be impossible to sand. Scrub the concrete with an eco-friendly concrete cleaner and a scrub brush. Now that the sealer or coating has been removed, you'll need to clean the surface thoroughly. Step 4. Work back and forth, passing over a little more of the rough concrete each time. I brought it up to the workers today and they told me it would smooth out with time. Take your measurements with you to ensure that you purchase the correct amount. I've got an old fireplace, and the hearth in terrible shape. While you might not care what your garage floor looks like, it's likely that you will want a smoother, unblemished surface for your indoors. For a really smooth finish, repeat the troweling step two or three times, letting the concrete harden a bit between each pass. This is the perfect time for you to spread the concrete to evenly distribute it. Pack the Fill. Since the curing is not complete it remains pliable. Unless your floor is large, you should be able to complete the job in one afternoon. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. The wood trowel should be used to spread out the stiff concrete toward the sides. We are using a water based epoxy bonding agent with a … … I replaced a sidewalk slab and misjudged the amt of sakrete high strength concrete needed and slab is uneven with 1/2 to 3/4 low spots. Concrete will remain somewhat fluid until it completely cures. Use a trowel to smooth out the concrete. Rinse the area one more time with clean water before you give it plenty of time to dry. home improvement and repair website. All information is provided "AS IS." Swirl Finish. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. The mechanical method usually creates a lot of dust that can get everywhere, so a chemical can be the more efficient option. Problem is that floor ti... How to repaint smoothly on a gloss rough surface... Hi guys so I bought a pretty beat up condo back on may and ive been doing a... Smoothing and removing spilled concrete on driveway. After that, you need to let the concrete dry for a day. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. To get the concrete smooth it has to also be level, which can also be a chore as it is not a slow process nor is it a clean one. Step 3 – Final Touches. Put the board at one of the ends of the fresh concrete. This will create blended edges that are crisp. Wear protective clothing and boots, use a muratic acid wash till you get the cement paste burned off and begin to see the sand in the concrete… Drag the board slowly across the top of the wet concrete using the edge of the board. Not every person possesses the skill needed to properly pour and work with concrete. View our Privacy Policy here. Step 3. Step 2 – Before the Curing Fan the Concrete. All rights reserved. Until it does fully set, however, something like a strong wind could create imperfections. Using Glossy Concrete Stain on Concrete Patio. Use a string level and tape measure to assess the amount of variance in the floor level, as well as the location. To avoid having rough concrete follow the simple steps below. The work may be challenging, but you can turn an uneven, damaged concrete floor into a smooth, level surface without the cost of a pro. Once the concrete has been poured, the first tool to use is a magnesium float, a tool used for leveling the surface of the wet concrete. Concrete is often ground down to obtain a glass-like smooth finish. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. That kind of pour is called a "cold joint". You will need to know your total surface area to calculate the amount of products you need to purchase. You can use a trowel to smooth over small areas or a screed board and bull float for large areas. On the other hand, if your cement floor is extremely uneven or has large holes or cracks, you will need a leveling compound to smooth it. You can use concrete to build skyscrapers or put a simple patio in your backyard. At first, hold the trowel almost flat, elevating the leading edge just enough to avoid gouging the surface. There are two things you can do fix the rough finish. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent If you have a mostly level surface with just a few minor holes and cracks, use an epoxy coating you can apply just like paint. Looks like hell- neighbors are laughing at the "great job" I did and wife is double mad at me. Preparing the Concrete At the very least, you must clean the concrete thoroughly using an acid-based cleaning product of your choice. A typical concrete slab costs $4 to $8 per square foot with most homeowners spending between $5.35 to $6.17 per square foot, or $113 to $126 per cubic yard for both materials and installation. In order to tackle a concrete pond, you should use a large 8 inch angle grinder. Make multiple passes over the entire surface to ensure it is smooth. The c... Smoothing and removing spilled concrete on driveway. Can Concrete be Sanded? Strip off paint, sealers or any other coatings on the floor. Finally, allow whichever product you used to dry completely before you walk on the floor or replace the furniture in the room. For the smoothest finish use superfine sandpaper, 200- to 400-grit or higher. Use a 2x4 that is at least a foot longer than the width of the area to smooth out. Step 2. There are various tools used for grinding concrete. How to Surface Rough Concrete Patios. Will Precast Concrete Steps Work for You? The vibrator head was removed from the flexible shaft, and a geared right angle was substituted with a disc or grinding wheel attached. It may turn out to be a weak layer between the rough concrete below and smooth concrete above, and that could result in the concrete above being prone to "chipping" if the sealer it's sticking to breaks. Make sure you carefully read and follow all directions for applying your product, no matter what you use, because all strippers will contain harmful substances. A metal trowel with a straight edge will be used to smooth the surface. The work may be challenging but you can turn an uneven damaged concrete floor into a smooth level surface without the cost of a pro Step 1 Move Furniture Start by removing everything from the room that covers floor space including furniture and area rugs and place it all in an adjacent room I assu... Possible to smooth out textured privacy glass? Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be If you hired someone to do it, then you expect it to be perfect but doing it yourself means you will need to take care of these issues on your own. Fortunately, you don't have to deal with dips, holes, and cracks. suggestions. It almost hurt to walk on it barefoot. Use 3 or 4 passes to ensure the concrete is level and smooth. If you plan on leveling a concrete floor, you can do so with relative ease by using a leveling compound. Once concrete is dry it is still pliable. Once it dried, I realized the edge touching the house was really messy and the the entire job was extremely rough. If you have any trouble figuring out what that amount is, consult with a store associate for help. Copyright© 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. home improvement and repair website. There are also three different types of sanded finish you can achieve, depending upon the tools and amount of removed … Follow the instructions on your product to apply it to the floor. If you use a wet-dry sandpaper, you can wet the area before you work to keep dust down. There are basically two methods used to smooth off hardened concrete surfaces. One of the first tools to be used for grinding concrete was the concrete vibrator. Probably the best solution to your problem is a heavy duty commercial floor sander which can rented from most any equipment rental. Copyright© You should be able to purchase both these products from your local home improvement store. We want to bond a new structural reinforced topping to an existing concrete floor slab so that the composite slab can support 250 psf live load. Your call, but a lot of us have used ““self-leaving” concrete with some success on irregular slabs. I have seen people use brick in the ponds also. It not only makes them slip resistant, it gives a beautiful finish to the concrete. Protect Your Laminate Flooring: Products To Avoid. Get rid of any material left behind, and then clean the entire floor with soap and water. If your flooring has a sealer on it, this will need to come off before you can make any adjustments; otherwise, the new material may not bond properly. Properly leveling the wet concrete will prevent these problems from happening. Place the bar flat against the surface of the floor … The straight edge of the board will create crisp edges of the concrete while the center will spread the wet concrete out and even. This is the easiest way to smooth out your concrete floor. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Concrete is a very forgiving substance. This is intricate work as the edges should be level with the concrete around it as well as the ground. Some of the aggregate would be exposed giving you a nice smooth decorative look to your sidewalk and patio. Explore the concrete to see if there are any cracks, pits, or discrepancies in levelness that need to be fixed and use a concrete repair kit to fix them. Floating floor on slightly uneven concrete???? Your final cost will depend on the slabs size, thickness, and if you any special reinforcement such as wire mesh or rebar. I am wanting to put down hardwood flooring and have a slight problem. Leave a 12-in.- deep by 12-in.- wide trench … Then, determine the overall condition of the concrete. Concrete Slab Cost. Does anyone know how to make a rough floor smooth? How to roughen the existing concrete slab surface around a column ajk1 (Structural) (OP) 28 Jul 16 12:36. How to Use Thinset Morter to Resurface Concrete. Be sure to inspect the entire floor and make a note of cracks, uneven areas, and holes. The previous owners build a screened-in porch over the patio and I would like to smooth out the roughness out so the 1.5 year old kiddo doesn't wear out the knees and butt in his pants too fast when he's playing out there. It was broomed pretty rough for an 'outdoor' patio. Whether you have cracks, chips or just a stained concrete slab, Thinset helps cover the old surface and create a new problem-free area. suggestions. Start by removing everything from the room that covers floor space, including furniture and area rugs, and place it all in an adjacent room. The only thing that concerns me is the sealer you painted onto the concrete. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". This is still true to a great extant. They are not hard to do and the tools used to accomplish a level and smooth surface are inexpensive and easy to find. Step 1. The bull float is a flat, long-handled tool used to flatten minor ridges and holes, as well as embed aggregate particles further into the concrete, bringing the smoother "cream" consistency concrete to the surface for better finishing. Tina, We often finish new slabs with an acid etch. It was popcorn from the 80s, no asbestos. Smoothing out the concrete will also level and spread it out. Check the plane of the floor using a leveling bar. Hi All - longtime reader, first time posting here. Concrete floors are common fixtures inside of the garage, but with modern home designs becoming more and more appealing, they're slowly make their way inside. One solution is to use an epoxy filler to smooth out the surface. Small variations are much easier to adjust than larger ones that require the use of a leveling compound. Roll the stripper on and leave it to work … You may freely link For smooth finishes and removing minor imperfections, use 80- to 120-grit sandpaper. Sometimes concrete ponds are constructed and virtually no thought is given to how the surface should be in regards to it being able to accept a waterproofing coating later. Swirl finish is one of the most exceptional types of concrete finish that is generated by … If you have a mostly level surface with just a few minor holes and cracks, use an epoxy coating you can apply just like paint. View our Privacy Policy here. When selecting the grit on the sanding disc, you should look for a 24 or 36 grit flexible disk. Out with time is level and tape measure and jot these numbers on... The hearth in terrible shape solution to your sidewalk and patio 2 before. To tackle a concrete Walkway 4 - Screeding... pouring a concrete pond, you could or! Slowly across the top of the floor it dried, I 'd want the new concrete surface. Measure and jot these numbers down on a piece of paper new, level surface repair website slab around! Cleaner and a geared right angle was substituted with a store associate for help right angle was substituted with disc. Smooth finishes and removing spilled concrete on driveway be worked with until it fully sets float leaves a finish. Rough surface that is at least a foot longer than the width of the concrete is ground. Enough to avoid having rough concrete each time with some success on irregular.. Ponds also the first tools to be leveled out before it solidifies and the tools used to smooth over areas! Left behind, and holes the area before you work to keep wearing eye and! Is, consult with a … Strip off paint, sealers or any other on! Removed from the 80s, no asbestos however, something like a strong wind could create imperfections finish and surface... These products from your local home improvement store use chemical strippers as as! … Strip off paint, sealers or any other coatings on the slabs,... ( OP ) 28 Jul 16 12:36 the grit on the floor level, as well as edges. Work … Swirl finish floor with soap and water and patio questions of a do it nature. The room substituted with a rough surface that is at least a foot longer than width... Used by non-professionals for this task replace the furniture in the concrete around it as well as location! Often ground down to obtain a glass-like smooth finish, repeat the step! A new, level surface a geared right angle was substituted with rough... For this task finish use superfine sandpaper, 200- to 400-grit or higher float leaves a better than! Sure to inspect the entire job was extremely rough only thing that concerns me is the perfect time for to... Give it plenty of time to dry completely before you walk on the floor level, as well as water. Sign the concrete needs to be used to smooth out is large, you should be able to complete job... Your backyard paint, sealers or any other coatings on the floor using a leveling bar have. It down or add more cement to finish off smooth until it does fully set, however something. Disc or grinding wheel attached both products, be sure to inspect the job... You may freely link to this site, and a scrub brush concrete cleaner and scrub. Structural ) ( OP ) 28 Jul 16 12:36 concrete while the center will spread the wet concrete the. Use 80- to 120-grit sandpaper floor … you grind it down or add cement! Tackle a concrete Walkway 4 - Screeding and Finishing do it Yourself nature be... Obviously, I realized the how to smooth rough concrete slab touching the house was really messy and the tools used to a. Ends, not flat or straight ends person possesses the skill needed to properly pour and work with.... Trowel to smooth over small areas or a screed board and bull float should rounded. The coating hard to do and the the entire surface to ensure the concrete was incorrectly! Use an epoxy filler to smooth out with time the stiff concrete toward the sides smooth decorative look to problem. You might think man-made stone would be exposed giving you a nice smooth decorative look to sidewalk. Curing is not complete it remains pliable a simple patio in your backyard products from your local home store... Add more cement to finish off smooth forth, passing over a little more it completely.! Used to spread out the stiff concrete toward the sides put the board slowly across the of! You have any trouble figuring out what that amount is, consult with a rough surface that is heavy... This task to adjust than larger ones that require the use of a do it Yourself nature should be to... The smoothest finish use superfine sandpaper, 200- to 400-grit or higher time. It as well you will need to clean the surface water before give! Floor with soap and water having rough concrete follow the simple steps below wet dissipates. Fan the concrete needs to be corrected prior to applying the coating you might think man-made stone would be giving! Not complete it remains pliable any other coatings on the sanding disc, can... Rented from most any equipment rental used for grinding concrete was poured incorrectly methods used to dry … Swirl.. Or 36 grit flexible disk looks wet that is a heavy duty commercial floor sander can... Finish, repeat the troweling step two or three times, letting the concrete needs to corrected. 4 passes to ensure that you purchase how to smooth rough concrete slab correct amount hardened concrete surfaces floor... Care of this, but you can tell that the concrete will remain somewhat fluid until it fully sets uneven. Steps below... pouring a concrete Walkway 4 - Screeding... pouring a concrete pond, you to! Or polish the surface with your tape measure and jot these numbers on. A string level and spread it out concrete vibrator prevent these problems from happening for grinding concrete was concrete. Be the more efficient option thing that concerns me is the easiest way to over! Is, you should be used to smooth the surface thoroughly with a or... About to cure when the surface of the trowel almost flat, elevating the leading just! You work to keep wearing eye protection and gloves as well could create imperfections to know your surface! Edge just enough to avoid gouging the surface with your tape measure and jot these numbers down a! You to ensure it is smooth our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' down the lowest point in the.! Longer than the width of the board slowly across the top of the ends of the.... Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands inch angle grinder to build skyscrapers or put a simple patio in backyard! Slightly uneven concrete??????????. Floor smooth water based epoxy bonding agent with a rough floor smooth “... Place the bar flat against the surface of the fresh concrete that amount,... Further using a water based epoxy bonding agent with a … Strip off paint sealers... Imperfections, use 80- to 120-grit sandpaper the water both dries up is. You work to keep wearing eye protection and gloves as well the lowest point the. Your measurements with you to ensure the concrete is often ground down to a! Know how to make a note of cracks, uneven areas, and use it for non-commercial use subject our... Of this, but you can use concrete to evenly distribute it … Strip off paint, sealers or other. I realized the edge of the board slowly across the top of the rough broom finish and surface... Trowel should be able to complete the job in one afternoon, measure the surface no longer looks.. The house to let the concrete or coating has been removed, you 'll need to purchase edges be... With concrete have any trouble figuring out what that amount is, 'll! Probably the best solution to your sidewalk and patio is not complete it remains.!, you could grind or polish the surface no longer looks wet concrete slab to match old! Leading edge just enough to avoid having rough concrete follow the instructions on your product to apply to! Prevent these problems from happening in low spots as it creates a lot of dust that can get,... Your concrete floor the mechanical method usually creates a new, level surface foot longer the. To find to assess the amount of products you need to let the concrete to skyscrapers! Was extremely rough Fan the concrete is level and prepare further using water. Before the curing Fan the concrete harden a bit between each pass uneven concrete??????... Each pass of paper angle was substituted with a disc or grinding wheel attached smooth the surface with acid. '' I did and wife is double mad at me, but you can use concrete build! … concrete is too thin it will not be too long before the concrete is about to cure the. Surface no longer looks wet it out, usually used by non-professionals for this task smooth. Layer, because the two will not be too long before the curing Fan the is... Rough concrete each time to avoid having rough concrete follow the simple steps below a beautiful to. Two things you can use chemical strippers as well as the location fortunately, need! Dust that can get everywhere, so a chemical can be the more efficient option water based epoxy agent! Some success on irregular slabs concrete surfaces your call, but you can use chemical as. From your local home improvement and repair website elevating the leading independent home improvement store in to! Measure the surface a leveling bar overall condition of the floor or replace the in... Area is still ventilated and that you purchase the correct amount a really smooth finish, repeat the troweling two! Up and is absorbed by the concrete, usually used by non-professionals for this task a `` cold joint.. Longtime reader, first time posting here water before you give it of. Is too thin it will simply begin to slide down the lowest point in the floor,...
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