[robut]

The side porch of my home 1900 (era ) has a concrete floor about 4"thick with rebar . Some time in the past it was enclosed,
with 6 windows and a storm entrance door.
Right where you enter the outer storm door threshold the concrete is crumbling, little by little.and just inside of the door threashold this too is crumbling. almost like someone is chipping away a piece at a time.
This is the only area ?
This could be caused by our wet feet in the winter along with Ice Melt we use here in Michigan? carried in with our boots!
I know I can buy an epoxy cement repair but is there a chemical that I can apply to the cement to harden the surface ?

Deck hand:whistling2:

 

[Willie T]

Yeah, I hate those "grumbling" cement slabs. Ya give them everything, and they still complain and grumble about things.

The crumbling you are experiencing, however, is different. Even a nice pleasant, congenial slab with a positive attitude can begin crumbling. No fault of their own.

One, it could be the result of a poor finishing job. Often times right at a door, the finishers will make the mistake of working up extra slurry with sometimes too much water content to help "level out" the threshold area for a smooth, flat entryway. Not a good idea, as it makes the concrete weaker in that area. And later, it begins to flake off.

Two, the door installers may have had to do some chipping hammer adjustments to the threshold concrete. Not a great method, but sometimes done. This tends to make crumbling a little easier.

When it is so thin, patching is often ineffective. So, you can cut it deeper (down to about an inch at least) and go with a good patching compound suggested by your local concrete experts. Or you COULD try grey colored epoxy. It will also flake if applied too thin, but I have had some surprising success with it.

 

[Maintenance 6]

3M makes a product caled Scotch CP&R (Concrete Protector and Restorer). It's supposed to harden concrete. I'm not sure if you'll be able to find it, and if you'll be able to buy it. 3M is a little funny about selling to other than certified installers, but a google search may yield some results. Very few concrete repair products will allow you to feather out a patch. As Willie T says, you may have to saw cut the edges of your patch area. Then remove any loosened material. Use a polymer modified patching mortar, and be sure to follow the manufacturers prep instructions. Some will allow less than an inch of sawcut. No matter what, you will see the repair.

 

[NJ Brickie]

Tamms patch 2. Find this product. You will be able to feather it down to 1/8". You will see the patch but this will work great clean the area well and apply.

 

[robut]

Yeah, I hate those "grumbling" cement slabs. Ya give them everything, and they still complain and grumble about things.

The crumbling you are experiencing, however, is different. Even a nice pleasant, congenial slab with a positive attitude can begin crumbling. No fault of their own.

One, it could be the result of a poor finishing job. Often times right at a door, the finishers will make the mistake of working up extra slurry with sometimes too much water content to help "level out" the threshold area for a smooth, flat entryway. Not a good idea, as it makes the concrete weaker in that area. And later, it begins to flake off.

Two, the door installers may have had to do some chipping hammer adjustments to the threshold concrete. Not a great method, but sometimes done. This tends to make crumbling a little easier.

When it is so thin, patching is often ineffective. So, you can cut it deeper (down to about an inch at least) and go with a good patching compound suggested by your local concrete experts. Or you COULD try grey colored epoxy. It will also flake if applied too thin, but I have had some surprising success with it.

Ha ha ha :laughing: :laughing:

I can't believe I did that ! :whistling2:I guess I was grumbling.
Thanks this made my day
Deck hand :laughing:

 

[robut]

Ok cement people,
I think I will cut deep into the Crumbling area maybe an inch, down to a good base.
DRill a few holes to give the patch an anchor hold.
wash this with an acid and re wash with plan water. I get good morning sun here.
let this dry for several days`This of course will be the whole length of the door to make sure I get it all.

I will talk to the people at Lowes and Home Depot
I know of a company who sells all kinds of cement, Brick, and stone products.
They should know of some place to buy the correct material for this job.

Thanks from the grumbling Deck Hand

 

[yesitsconcrete]

don't waste your time w/apron store guys as all they'll know's quikcrete & it ' happens to be on sale ! ' :laughing:

any pro const supply house'll have the stuff you need,,, epoxies're VERY exothermic so apply in lifts ' cleaning previous pour/layer w/xylene 1st,,, ixnay on the holes - you'll get a good bond on clean conc,,, 1/2" lifts at the most UNLESS you ' extend ' w/clean 3/8" stone & sand :thumbup: