Greenhouses, Sheds and Sun Rooms - Unlevel Patio Slab
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hanna
08-06-05, 04:59 PM
I have a covered back porch 10x17 (17 ft along the house and 10 feet out from it) that I am screening in --18 inch high block wall and then screen the rest of the way up--there will also be a [screen] door opening. The slab is separate from the house foundation -- there is about a 1/8-inch gap between the porch slab and the house. Any settling has long since occurred because I have never seen the gap width change.
The porch slopes (pitches?) away from the house such that there is a 1 inch drop (possibly this was intended so as to make sure water drains away from the house.) Now that I am enclosing the porch I want to lay ceramic or stone tile on the slab. What should be used to level the slab? It also has a few dips and high spots. Is the self-leveling Ardex type stuff suitable for outdoor applications (some rain will always blow in) that can take care of the one inch drop as well as the high and low spots? If not what else can be used or what else should be done?
Thanks for any help or advice (or warnings).
The porch slopes (pitches?) away from the house such that there is a 1 inch drop (possibly this was intended so as to make sure water drains away from the house.) Now that I am enclosing the porch I want to lay ceramic or stone tile on the slab. What should be used to level the slab? It also has a few dips and high spots. Is the self-leveling Ardex type stuff suitable for outdoor applications (some rain will always blow in) that can take care of the one inch drop as well as the high and low spots? If not what else can be used or what else should be done?
Thanks for any help or advice (or warnings).
XSleeper
08-07-05, 07:28 AM
It appears that Ardex CP ( http://www.ardex.com/res.htm ) is the only exterior rated product that can be used for re-sloping concrete where you want to raise part of the cement 1". It is not self-levelling, however. Reading their installation instructions might be helpful for you... esp. the part about the scratch coat.
The problem you will run into is that many of these products don't perform well when feathered out to an edge. Others can be feathered to an edge, but can't be more than 1/2" thick. It sounds to me like you might need a product that could be poured 1/2" thick on one side, and 1 1/2" on the other. Ardex self-leveling products specifically mention that they should not be used where there will be standing water.
A google search for: +"self-leveling" +exterior +cement +resurfacing
(just as that appears) turned up a few results, but some of those products set up too fast to be practical for such a large area.
You might have more luck asking this question in the Exterior: Brick / masonry & concrete forum. I'm not up on cement toppings. If I was to do it, I'd use probably use mortar mix, or mix my own with portland & sand.
The problem you will run into is that many of these products don't perform well when feathered out to an edge. Others can be feathered to an edge, but can't be more than 1/2" thick. It sounds to me like you might need a product that could be poured 1/2" thick on one side, and 1 1/2" on the other. Ardex self-leveling products specifically mention that they should not be used where there will be standing water.
A google search for: +"self-leveling" +exterior +cement +resurfacing
(just as that appears) turned up a few results, but some of those products set up too fast to be practical for such a large area.
You might have more luck asking this question in the Exterior: Brick / masonry & concrete forum. I'm not up on cement toppings. If I was to do it, I'd use probably use mortar mix, or mix my own with portland & sand.