Grinding down cement

la15ota · 05-08-2009, 02:19 AM

So here's my problem.
Husband installed a cement curb to hold back the base rock and sand for our pavers.
The cap stones are about 3/8" higher then the pavers, so we need to grind down the cement curb by 3/8" so that the surfaces are level.
The curb is about 6" wide and 16 ft long, one side has sand against it and the other is a drop off to dirt.

Are there any tools out there that can help grind down the cement curb by 3/8"

Thanks

Ron6519 · 05-08-2009, 06:44 AM

It might be easier to remove enough pavers back from the curb and gradually raise them up to the curb height. Back 3-4' should do it. That would make it 1/8" per foot or less.
Grinding 3/8" evenly for that length will be very hard. It will also expose an aggregate pattern you might not like.
Ron

Ron6519 · 05-08-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildstrong

I also agree that it would `be easier to remove enough pavers back from the curb and gradually raise them up to the curb height. Yet I would also say that you take the opinion of an architect or engineer.

Building Equipment

Can you explain why you think you need, " the opinion of an architect or engineer. " for this? It's a 3/8" lip of concrete and some pavers, on the ground, sitting on sand.
Maybe I'm missing some deeper issue.
Ron

Scuba_Dave · 05-08-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron6519

Can you explain why you think you need, " the opinion of an architect or engineer. " for this? It's a 3/8" lip of concrete and some pavers, on the ground, sitting on sand.
Maybe I'm missing some deeper issue.
Ron

The deeper issue was that he is a spammer - now gone

Aggie67 · 05-08-2009, 11:17 AM

Ron's right. If it were me, I'd be thinking about reseting the pavers, not chipping away concrete.

But it's doable. Like if I had a gun to my head, I could make it work. I would get a couple masonry blades, put it on my oldest circular saw (one that I wouldn't care if it died). Then make some 1/2" deep cuts, knock the material away with a Hilti and a spade bit, try to even it out. Then go over that with some epoxy patch or concrete patch to even it out more. I wouldn't be expecting perfection, unless I had done it before (I have a concrete crew that refurbishes steps, equipment pads, etc, in manufacturing plants). It is doable. I personally could live with that in a boiler room or a tank farm. But my front walk or patio, I don't know.

In the end, it's probably easier and the final product will be nicer if you pull the pavers up and add some base and reset the pavers.

Scuba_Dave · 05-08-2009, 11:20 AM

Yeah - cutting down that much cement is major undertaking
Reset the pavers

yesitsconcrete · 05-08-2009, 04:01 PM

even i like the idea of raising the pavers & we grind conc

for a living,,, otoh, watching an engineer actually WORK would be fun & a 1st

most of 'em tell us how to do it

rentable 6 or 7" grinder, dust masks, safety glass's, turbo diamond cup wheel - your price under $200.00,,, raising the pavers - just time,,, seeing an engineer actually WORK rather'n stand back & watch ? PRICELESS

yesitsconcrete · 05-08-2009, 04:03 PM

when you see those big fat slow softballs, you just gotta swing for the fences,,, no offense meant !

texas115115 · 05-09-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesitsconcrete

even i like the idea of raising the pavers & we grind conc

for a living,,, otoh, watching an engineer actually WORK would be fun & a 1st

most of 'em tell us how to do it

rentable 6 or 7" grinder, dust masks, safety glass's, turbo diamond cup wheel - your price under $200.00,,, raising the pavers - just time,,, seeing an engineer actually WORK rather'n stand back & watch ? PRICELESS

yeh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

la15ota · 05-09-2009, 10:59 PM

Raising the pavers it is.
What a chore but much more doable then trying to grind down the cement.
Thanks guys