To level uneven concrete slabs, start by cleaning the surface with a clean floor to prevent dirt from entering the new concrete mix. Analyze any cracks in the concrete and prepare your tools for sealing them. Clean again, add primer, and finally, add leveler.
Professionals use poly jacking to level uneven concrete slabs quickly and easily. Concrete slabs have various uses, including home foundations, walkways, and patios. As concrete patios age, they may begin to sink or crack. There are several techniques available to address this issue, such as replacing the entire slab or covering it with leveling compound. Concrete grinding can also be used instead of replacing the entire slab.
There are four primary methods used for concrete leveling: polyurethane foam injection, stone slurry grout injection, mudjacking, and self-leveling concrete. The selection depends on specific needs. Self-leveling cements typically go up to a maximum of 25mm, but can be used up to 100mm in depth. Hammer down a stake to the desired level and place a straight 2×4 across with a bubble level.
Using self-leveling concrete outdoors is generally not recommended due to freeze-thaw’s natural expansion and contraction of the concrete. Poly jacking is a fast, non-toxic, and simple solution for leveling uneven concrete slabs. Find the lowest point and bring it up to just below the highest point to allow water to run off. Use an angle grinder to level out raised spots of concrete, wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and attach a concrete grinding machine.
📹 Level and Stain a Concrete Porch / Self Leveling Concrete
In this video I will show you how to make a wavy un-level concrete floor / porch level and flat using the Rapid Set Concrete Leveler …
Can you put self-leveling concrete over existing concrete?
Self-leveling concrete is a versatile material that can be utilized to create a flat surface over existing concrete slabs. To guarantee optimal results, it is essential to meticulously clean the existing concrete, apply the recommended primer, and ascertain that the surface is free of any holes or cracks that could permit the compound to escape. This process may be employed as a standalone floor or as a preliminary step in the installation of flooring.
When should you not use self-leveling concrete?
Self-leveling concrete, a polymer-mixed product, is not suitable for use on non-horizontal surfaces, vertical walls, or areas with heavy machinery or harsh chemicals. It is also not suitable for floors with structural damage, as it only fixes the surface and may reoccur if the underlying floor orientation is in bad shape. Self-leveling concrete is also unsuitable for large-scale repairs due to its fast drying time and increased cost. A self-leveling concrete bag is more expensive than ordinary cement.
Can you use self levelling concrete outdoor?
The Tilemaster External Leveller is an excellent choice for outdoor and outdoor use self-levelling compound and paving grits. It is suitable for various outdoor applications, including patios, swimming pools, garage floors, driveways, concrete areas, play areas, barn floors, summer houses, balconies, and walkways. This fast-setting compound can be applied from 2mm – 50mm in one application, using a trowel or pump. It can be walked on and tiled after 3 hours, and is suitable for use as a finished wearing surface and swimming pools.
The fibre-reinforced compound is suitable for use over various external substrates, including concrete, sand/cement screeds, and power floated concrete. It remains workable for 20-30 minutes when mixed with water, making it suitable for both commercial and domestic use.
Can you put a thin layer of concrete over concrete?
Pouring concrete over concrete requires a minimum thickness of 2 inches to prevent cracking and bonding issues. SUNDEK of Austin applied a SunStamp coating to a residential pool area in Jonestown, TX, for a durable, non-slip surface. However, pouring concrete over concrete is not always the best way to update or fix your concrete slab. Other options include using a different type of concrete or a different coating.
Can you pour new concrete over old concrete?
Pouring concrete over existing concrete is possible as long as it is solid and supports the new pour. The minimum required thickness of the concrete slab must be enough to support the weight and pressure it supports. Factors determining the minimum thickness include the application method and aggregate size. Adding concrete over an existing slab can add 25 to 100 millimeters. Bonding restrictions exist as concrete is composed of sand and aggregates held together with cement, and new concrete won’t naturally bond to the existing slab.
Bonding agents or unbonded overlay methods are needed to adhere the layers together. The condition-affected life span of the concrete can last over 50 years, but the existing concrete’s condition will impact its strength. Assessing the existing concrete to ensure its stability is crucial. Properly installed concrete can last over 50 years.
Can I pour concrete over concrete?
Pouring concrete over existing concrete is possible as long as it is solid and supports the new pour. The minimum required thickness of the concrete slab must be enough to support the weight and pressure it supports. Factors determining the minimum thickness include the application method and aggregate size. Adding concrete over an existing slab can add 25 to 100 millimeters. Bonding restrictions exist as concrete is composed of sand and aggregates held together with cement, and new concrete won’t naturally bond to the existing slab.
Bonding agents or unbonded overlay methods are needed to adhere the layers together. The condition-affected life span of the concrete can last over 50 years, but the existing concrete’s condition will impact its strength. Assessing the existing concrete to ensure its stability is crucial. Properly installed concrete can last over 50 years.
How do you fix uneven outdoor concrete?
Uneven concrete slabs can cause various issues, including appearance, liability, and trip hazards. A-1 Concrete Leveling offers various options to fix these slabs, including lifting them back up, grinding down uneven areas, adding new concrete or patch compounds, self-leveling concrete, and replacing them. With over 30 years of experience, they have learned the most common and effective ways to fix uneven concrete slabs, ensuring a smooth and safe environment for both homeowners and businesses.
Can you level concrete by yourself?
DIY concrete leveling is not recommended due to the numerous variables and factors involved, and without proper tools or skills, it can lead to higher costs in the long run. A-1 Concrete Leveling, a professional company with over 30 years of experience, offers professional services for damaged or settling concrete. They provide free onsite pricing estimates and transferable warranties. To request an estimate for concrete leveling or other concrete repair and maintenance services, click the provided link.
Can you concrete over uneven concrete?
The application of concrete over existing slabs can result in cost and time savings. However, if not executed with due care, there is a risk of encountering significant difficulties, which may ultimately necessitate the complete replacement of the concrete in question.
Will new cement stick to old concrete?
Concrete bonding is a process that employs the use of bonding agents to facilitate the adhesion of new and existing concrete layers, thereby forming a unified and solid concrete unit. This is of paramount importance, as the cement utilized in concrete mixtures lacks the necessary bonding properties, resulting in the formation of two distinct layers that are unable to adhere to one another. Concrete has a low adhesive quality, necessitating the use of bonding agents to create a cohesive structure.
📹 How to level exterior concrete paths with ARDEX K 301 Exterior Self-Levelling Compound
In his fourth lockdown video, our National Training Manager, Steve Davies welcomes us into his back garden where his concrete …
Soooooo one thing not mentioned in this article that I learned after my first failed attempt at doing this. Maybe this was obvious to most but I didn’t really think it would be an issue. It is that this stuff sets SUPER QUICKLY. And I knew that it did but I thought I would be able to move fast enough. Well, I was wrong. Eventually, the product curing caught up with me. Having another set of hands or two will make a huge difference here. It is advised to have multiple buckets with the water measured out, someone to mix while you pour, and even a third person that keeps the hose on misting the fresh surface. I couldn’t keep up to mist fast enough and on top of looking like crap because it set too fast and didn’t blend with the final pours, I got hairline cracks in the good part because it dried too quickly. GET HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THIS!!!
You mentioned that this self-leveling concrete is not a wear surface; it needs something on top. But it looks like in your article that there is not top wear surfacing. Does the sealer make it a wear surface? I want to do something similar but I want to avoid laying tile on top. I like the finish that you applied.
Retired GC moving back to NC b/c my house got torn up in Hurricane Ian and going to build my “final” house. I’m low on cash and thinking about how to temp surface the OSB subfloor until I can afford real flooring. What do you recommend? I only need it to last for a year or so. Your articles are flipping AWESOME for this 70 YO Nanny. Going to be doing a lot of the finishing inside DIM.
Dude! You did it again! Pure Awesomeness! Love how you try your best to avoid specialty tools and keep this for the regular average Joe handyman! Love how you make mistakes and include that in the tutorial as things to watch out for,…and you can laugh at yourself, “Be gentle when filling your sprayer!” Also, not as important to me, but the article audio quality is really good! Keep up the good work! Really appreciate you! Been perusal since the first article!
Hey Michael I appreciate the article. I would have some serious concerns on the self leveler holding up with just the sealer on top. I’ve used it many times in indoor applications but not one like this. Usually on a damaged patio like that I would skim with a patching concrete like “Cements all” or “cams patch”. I am interested to see how it holds up! Again thanks for the article. Take care!
Nice job bro. And good cover in the screwup. Lol but this gives me a idea. I’m sure there’s a article on it somewhere but barely grinding geooves into the concrete in a pattern that looks like a hard wood floor. Use the same colors as you did. Just brush in the woodgrain look. And seal it with the wet look. I think it would look awesome.
I watched the concrete counter top article yesterday. By the end, I was impressed and ready to subscribe. So I did. I watched a couple more of your articles which only confirmed to me that my decision to subscribe was a good idea. You have excellent content, you are upbeat and have a lot of energy, and you are not afraid to point out any mistakes you make and show us how to correct them. Outstanding! Keep the articles coming, you’re doing great!
Hey micheal what do i use if i have a new concrete garage slab that got wet when they poured it with new construction home thats pitted and spalled and has some small little pits in it. Do u recommend Cement All or the Concrete Leveler? Should i gring that too? I plan on putting Full Flake Epoxy once I do this please let me know thanks
@Michael Builds- Question: hope the hell do u resurface concrete porch that’s been painted? If the massive 75 yrs of pain layers on the walls, trim & doors that won’t close or stick shut I can’t imagine trying to get that paint off. HELP!! To many DIYers who didn’t know what they were doing, patch jobs on top of patch jobs on top of…. (U don’t even want to get me started on the wiring!)
It looked like there were a lot of bubbles in the sealer you sprayed on last, and they showed up after it dried. Is that to be expected? At the beginning you said this leveler needed to have something over it, and you mentioned tile, and laminate. Is a stain and sealer one of the recommended coverings to keep the leveler protected from deteriorating in the weather?
This is the most informative self-leveling concrete article I have watched. In the article, it says the leveler product is not intended as a wearable surface, and requires some form of covering (tiles, etc.). But you dyed the surface and left it uncovered. Why is that? Also, if the old concrete was previously painted with epoxy garage floor paint, will the primer and leveler adhere to that, or does it all need to be ground off?
Michael some of your stuff is so cool. And I like the fact your a concrete guy who admits his mistakes. Been into concrete work for 50 years. As you probably know a concrete workers useful life is not long enough. Man I found your site and even though my shoulders and knees are wore out I have found and explored stuff thru you I can do again. Thanks brother ☮️ Peace
Isn’t there supposed to be something to cover it, you mentioned needing another layer of a product (such as stone or tile?) when used outside… Something besides dye and sealer? Is that considered a final finishing product to just use dye and sealer? Always good to pick a color that complements the house/existing architecture (and for other projects, people, it’s also good to pick a design that goes with the architectural style of the house.. ….lately I’ve seen a lot of scattered designs and colors in my neighborhood and general vicinity… And here on YT as well, the ultra modern design clashing with the Victorian house, making both of them look horrible because they compete with each other, breaking the first rule of design which is to keep with the architectural integrity of existing design and making it look like it’s always belonged, not like something that fell off the truck into the yard…or the mish-mosh of various clashing colors used… and the horrid replacement of lawns with rocks and mulch, which is an IQ fail, as it doesn’t help the environment in the long run at all, it provides no habitat for anything at all, Destroys the homes and places of rest and food supply of critical parts of the environment… Humans aren’t the only ones who need a home and a place to drink water, eat, rest and recover. Rock sliding and/or mulching the yard destroys the homes and places of rest and the food supply of….the rest of the environment… Bees that pollinate the food supply, (and only sting people when they scream hysterically and wave their arms at them like a giant (idiot) who is trying to kill them, only then do they resort to self-defense as any sane creature word.
Just what I was looking for!! I have a 1940’s little cottage house with a front porch that has water pooling in several areas. Paint that was applied just peels and basically looks like sh*t. I noticed the self leveling concrete spills over the edge naturally, but what if I don’t want that? My front porch has red brick surround and steps coming from the front of the porch are also red brick. I don’t want the concrete spilling over the red brick. How would you suggest I prevent that? Thank you! New sub!!
This was so good! Thank you. Just what I needed to see. Will the self leveling work well on my outdoor slab if one side is sunken? I’ll incase the whole thing properly I’m just hoping it can fix a slanted slab instead of paying 2k for mudjacking. (2 birds stoned at once as i can not only level my slab cheap but can also make the rough surface pretty as it was just foundation support for an old deck I rippped out and is rough as heck
Not sure if you read the message.. But if so, I’m needing some ideas. I just had 2000 sqft pad poured around our new in-ground pool, and during the pour the guys messed up one area. He tried to fix it by smoothing it out with a grinder then put a layer on top of it and tried to re-broom it.. Yeah that didn’t work… AT ALL. Now it looks worse than before he tried fixing it. (and its not a small area either, matter of fact a vocal point) He got the picture frame looking good but the broomed area looks like it melted. Will this product broom, or do you know anything else I can work and make it look good while matching the normal concrete color?
Rapid Set TRU PC would probable hold up outside. But not what he is using, even sealed. Even with primer you still have water rising from underneath as most outside porches and patios are not treated for that. Hydro static pressure will occur then POP off comes your topping. The better the sealer the sooner it will happen.
Like your article’s but this material is not intended for a “wear surface” as you noted. A stained surface is not going to wear any better- this will fail in just a couple years- if not sooner. Someone will be fixing this. Also, cannot miss the bubbles in the clear coating on the finished surface, even with the different coloration that hides so many flaws. Wow, some people are going to repeat all these mistakes- not just the one you admitted to. Yikes- what a mess!
Cost ? …..concrete is approx. 125 bucks a yard…..a yard is 10×8 feet by 4 inches thick……. I think in 3 or 4 years you might be less happy about it than today……….but it looks great right now ! These products have a place and a intended use group,……..for what they are, they are great, most home owners can not break up, haul off, form up,..pour and finish a slab, so for them, this is great. With a little care it should look good for about 5 years, then you can always spruce it up again!
The article was ok, but I am not sure I would try to make concrete look like leather. Why not let concrete look like, well, concrete? I can understand a sealant as a weather protection coating. I could go for some sand or grit to avoid a slick surface. I think I will consider tile or stone for my project. Still, seeing this option is better than not seeing it. Thanks.
Michael, I appreciated this article and how it helped on my attempt at the project ! If I may add, for us REALLY REALLY novice DIYers, 1.To emphasize the fact that we must make SURE that when the instructions say to add a little of the dry mix to the water at a time to do so. 2. Could you point out what you are doing even in simplest of stages ? For example I still don’t know the name of the padded tool you used along the sides of the slab. I just happened to recognize it, and had one from another project. 3. While the instructions say work with a 12 x 12 section, and again, I am speaking from a very ignorant concrete working status, to tell us what you showed us ( but I had not processed) that one probably is wanting to break it up with much smaller areas, ~ 3 x 3 foot sections at first, starting from first the lowest area ( as demonstrated) and then ( what I THINK would be the next suggestion) the most inaccessable area.(My project was bordered by 2 walls.) 4. Cover pavers or patio below the edges of the slab with tarp, etc. Again, my thanks! Todd
Is it advisable to use the self leveling product to cover 450sqft? Seems like materials alone are $800. Would a surface that large crack? My back patio has several concrete slabs that were done at different times. I’m looking for a clean uniform smooth surface. Debating if I should rip out the concrete now to either replace, add pavers, or use this technique. Please help. Anyone
I just loved this article. You make me laugh, Michael. Not at you but just how you do your articles. The way you acknowledge your mistakes, the way you tell us what corners you cut; (which was on your last article that I just watched, “How to make a rubber mold”). I watched your concrete benches yesterday with the stone rivers that run through them and I subscribed immediately to your articles. You’re real, you’re fun, you’re funny when need be and your serious and so informative on your directions. Keep up the good work. I’ve got to level my basement floor and I might need someone to come help BUT I will definitely have a hand in it so that we do it my way; which will be the way that I learn it here of what to do and of what NOT to do. Thank you so much for your articles. I’m looking to see more. I’m going to go look now to see if you’ve got one on Bird Baths. If you don’t; oh wait, I see one now from Michael Builds How to do Bird Baths and Repair concrete step. Cool, I’m going to go watch that one right now; then I need to get to work. Thanks again.
Loved the article! Unfortunately, I only found it after just completing my front porch. Yours turned out a lot better than mine. I had a foam squeegee (big mistake) to start. The product itself was great. Question: My porch is covered and is on the North side of the house. It gets very little sun throughout the day. I like the look of concrete. What, if anything, should I put over the Rapidset that will make this durable.
Simply love the way you make your tutorials. Keep up the good work my friend. Although we di not have these products in South Africa there might be something similar that I can use. I have a patio but the semend job was not done properly. Will it work if I use a simpme slurry mix with building sand and sement? Greetings Hendrik
Is it worth using this self leveler on collapsed sidewalk around the houses foundation? Should I jack the sidewalk up and then do surface repair with this or just get rid of the existing sidewalk and pour a whole new one? I think there’s 3 sections of sidewalk next to each other, Each 8’ long 40″wide all sunk different depths 1-3″
I have a question, I have a sidewalk that needs resurfacing however in addition at one of the joints in the sidewalk two sections sunk down. Instead of trying to raise up the two sections. Can i cover the walk with this product or cement all to level the two blocks? In essence the part where the two blocks meet will have about 1 to 2 inches of concrete added the rest sections will only have athin coating. If that makes sense, Is that doable or do I have to raise the section first then resurface . Thanks.
I think you should’ve sloped it away from the house. I also think their porch is much much heavier now. And I think that you should’ve plastic off the area around where you did your work a little more like the stone steps side of the house etc. Other than that the final look is pretty good and gave me some ideas
Will this leveler work for a outdoor kitchen that I’m installing over a cement pad. The cement pad has 2″ (Y) x 3″ (X) of drop on it to keep water from the house, I want to put in outdoor kitchen cabinets on the far end of the pad (22 foot from the house) to level the foot print of the cabinets? love your articles and now a sub after perusal cement counter tops and this article!
Question regarding control joints. My back porch has a concrete slab, but it was made at different times, making it look like too many sections, in addition the larger parts have control joints to prevent cracking. Can I even everything out with this leveling cement? Or do i have to acount and add the control joints? Its about 800sq feet total.
Thanks so much for this very helpful article! I would like to do a thin brick veneer over my concrete front patio and steps, but it has some cracks and unlevel spots I need to fix first. If you’re willing I have a few questions: 1) I noticed your porch had some cracks too: does the leveler fill those in sufficiently on its own or do I need to do an additional step to avoid the cracks eventually going through to the mortar? 2) the lowest point on the porch abuts my house (stucco cement siding panels in places, rough cedar trim in others). Is there any prep work I should do to either surface before pouring the leveler? Probably no deeper than 1-1.5 cm. Thank you!!
Hi, really love your articles. Unfortunately, HD is no long carrying the semi-transparent stain you used. Contacted the manufacturer and they don’t know if they will produce it again. We really want to stain our countertop we poured but are having issue getting the stain we got (From Concrete Resurrection) to penetrate the unsealed countertop. Any suggestions?
Been a fan since article one. I need some help. Last year I stained my back patio using the Rapid Set Self leveler. I’m looking to do a different stain this year along with another coat of the self leveler. What do I need to do with the existing coat of stain before starting the new project? Looking forward to the new articles this year….
Very nice. Very informative and fun to watch and learn. That’s what i really like about your vids. Normally, when pouring concrete, they usually put a brush finish on it to give a texture for traction. With this leveled, it looks like it completely removed any texter and traction. Is there any concern with that?
I didn’t know that when it says “underlayment” you can just stain/seal it. This makes me feel a lot better. I’m leveling out a patio and may/may not build a deck on top. If I can make it look this nice I may not! I bought the house with a deck on top of a cracked patio, but just recently had to strip the deck off because the joists rotted through due to standing water.
I really appreciate the commentary on technical problems, tools and techniques. I also really appreciate the “how to work with errors” section. Most of us DIY’ers will be doing things like this only once. So, we’ll have errors or problems. It is actually very helpful to see how to work with those problems.
Michael, I need your help! I hired someone to add some concrete floors to my backyard. Well, the finish didn’t look as polished and smooth, so I etched the floor and then I followed all your steps: I used Behr Concrete Dye and afterward added a wet-look sealer. It looked great at the end. But it’s been about a week of it and the paint has started to peel in layers. What did I do wrong? Should I have waited for the concrete to heal longer? (I did it about 10 days after they finished the concrete floor). Now, How do I fix this?
I have watched most of your articles. I’m planning a major redo of my back yard. I would like to see a article of water color staining of concrete. I have watched a few about it elsewhere. But yours are entertaining and I usually watch more than once. I hope to see more of your concrete articles. I have learned so much thank you.