Covering a poured concrete step with brick

[Lesley]

My front step/porch has settled over the years and now there's a substantial "first step" from the house to the porch. I'd like to resolve this by putting patio bricks on it. Obviously I'll have to cover the steps as well. I'm wondering if anyone has done this before and if so what's the best approach?

It's also off level a bit. I figure that stone dust would be a good option to level it out before covering it. The ugly interlock is going too so just ignore that.

It hasn't moved in the last five years so I think it's safe to assume it's dropped as far as it can.

[BillD]

Interesting problem. I have seen porches covered with interlocking to match the walkway. I don't think that stonedust would be an option for leveling, as it would need to be contained. I suspect the bricks would need to be set in mortar to keep them from moving.

[Mouse]

I'm no expert, but that looks hard to do with what you have.

I see 2 choices.

1. Demolish the old steps, and go with pre-cast replacement,

2. Form them up and pour concrete right over the old.

[Lesley]

If it was easy it wouldn't be one of my projects. ;)

Your #2 is one of my other options.

[Mouse]

Or, you could "deck" right over them.

Make your front porch bigger at the same time, if that is your wish.

[Lesley]

I thought about that too, using ledger boards to connect the deck to the foundation so if the step does move it wouldn't affect the deck. With a deck however comes maintenance and I already have one large wooden deck out back to maintain. I've drawn up a plan and I do intend to see what's avail in synthetic no maintenance "wood"

[Ken_ver_1_5]

thats one hell of a drop.
I would go with this idea.


Or, you could "deck" right over them.

Make your front porch bigger at the same time, if that is your wish.

[SPARKY]

I had a simular problem with my old house,I desided to reface it with flagstone,before you pour concrete you'll need a bonder,a white milky liquid found at most building supply centers(about $10 a Gal.)

[jovin]

Your whole porch seems to have dropped by about 200 mm but there are no cracks and the existing steps appear sound. Simply pour another concrete layer on top to form a new stepped landing and hope that the extra weight doesn't make it settle more. Resurfacing with bricks will not raise the porch enough to eliminate that crucial first step out of the house. In the meantime don't forget to keep up your house insurance!

[freddy here]

I'm no expert, but that looks hard to do with what you have.

I see 2 choices.

1. Demolish the old steps, and go with pre-cast replacement,

2. Form them up and pour concrete right over the old.


I don't know if i would go for Option # 2..You are going to have two different kinds of concrete trying to bond. Even with a bonding agent,
i would have a difficult time going that route.Looks like the present step
is quite old, hence totally cured and probably started to deteriorate already.Putting a new layer of concrete on top of that, don't seem right to me, could be a waste of money.
Option # 1 would be my choice.


TIP.
Every saturday morning from 8.00am to 10.00am, 580 CFRA has a home improvement program on.
Renovations Cross Canada with Ren Molnar & John Caines
You might throw your problem at them and see what they have to say.

Good Luck.:tty:

[SPARKY]

I don't know if i would go for Option # 2..You are going to have two different kinds of concrete trying to bond. Even with a bonding agent,
i would have a difficult time going that route.Looks like the present step
is quite old, hence totally cured and probably started to deteriorate already.Putting a new layer of concrete on top of that, don't seem right to me, could be a waste of money.
Option # 1 would be my choice.


Good Luck.:tty:


It worked out fine for me, How do you think they reface houses with stone or reface driveways that are old.

[freddy here]

It worked out fine for me, How do you think they reface houses with stone or reface driveways that are old.

Good for you.

As i said, I wouldn't be comfortable doing that...:)

[rob]

If you are anywhere close to Brampton, go visit these guys:

http://www.yellowpages.ca/business/ON/Brampton/Paving+Stones/0%2C0/657358.html?src=&adid=&stype=si

This is a wholesale company that really goes the extra mile for individual customers. I've had very good experiences with them.

Talk to one of the guys... not that the girls aren't awesome... only that the guys at this place seem to be the ones that go out and do the work and know off the top of their heads exactly what you need without having to ask anyone. It's just this company - I'm not saying anything about women in general ;)

But on display at this place are special stones that are MEANT to be placed over concrete steps.

At the very least, they'll give you some professional answers. You can hire them to do it for you if you'd like, fill up your car with supplies while you're there, or have them deliver.

But the bottom line is that these people are very helpful in solving problems like this. They're pros and this is all they do.

[Ottawaman]

The OP is in Ottawa so I don't think that will work;)

[Lesley]

Thanks Rob but as Ottawaman said I'm in Ottawa so the cost for travel alone would blow my budget.


If you are anywhere close to Brampton, go visit these guys:

http://www.yellowpages.ca/business/ON/Brampton/Paving+Stones/0%2C0/657358.html?src=&adid=&stype=si

This is a wholesale company that really goes the extra mile for individual customers. I've had very good experiences with them.

Talk to one of the guys... not that the girls aren't awesome... only that the guys at this place seem to be the ones that go out and do the work and know off the top of their heads exactly what you need without having to ask anyone. It's just this company - I'm not saying anything about women in general ;)

But on display at this place are special stones that are MEANT to be placed over concrete steps.

At the very least, they'll give you some professional answers. You can hire them to do it for you if you'd like, fill up your car with supplies while you're there, or have them deliver.

But the bottom line is that these people are very helpful in solving problems like this. They're pros and this is all they do.

[Bogie]

I'm a firm believer in "what if".

"What if" the added extra weight of whatever you are going to do makes the whole porch structure sink even more?

Whatever option you choose in adding to the existing structure, you don't know what is under there now. Sounds like a lot of work - and cost - working with an unknown.

Remove what is there and build fresh. Gee, sounds like a corrupt Windows challenge - remove and reinstall :d

I would rebuild with a concrete framework and unistone/paving stones as on the walkway. Just my personal choice (what we plan on doing at our place - but smaller).

(Not my words below, but says it all)
Sunken concrete occurs when the sub grade was not prepared properly. Loose dirt may have been used for the sub grade. When this dirt settles-sometimes due to sprinkler or rain water going under the concrete- the concrete is unsupported and will be more susceptible to sinking.
It is possible that the sub grade was compacted and the concrete was subjected to extreme weight which caused the concrete to sink.
Get the advice of a local soils engineer on sub grade preparation for your area and material needed to prepare sub grade (sometimes existing material is ok)

Remove the concrete
Remove the sub grade
Replace sub grade with compactable material (sometimes existing material is ok)
Compact the sub grade
Rebuild

[Mouse]

Of course you could get a specialized contractor to hydraulically pump concrete under the slab.

I've see it done in Detroit, for an airport runway, and I believe they tried it in Pisa, Italy, to stop the erosion of some tower or other.

;)

[reiver]

Of course you could get a specialized contractor to hydraulically pump concrete under the slab.

I've see it done in Detroit, for an airport runway, and I believe they tried it in Pisa, Italy, to stop the erosion of some tower or other.

;)

Sounds inexpensive. :P

[rob]

I believe they tried it in Pisa, Italy, to stop the erosion of some tower or other Some tower or other?!? LOL

They stopped when it started to crack. They did however change the offset degree by -3 / -4. Apparently, this added several years to the life of the tower. Last I heard they were working on a hydraulic system that the romans used (way back) to stabilize buildings. Water constantly flows under an edge of the building and they slowly rise the water. The building almost floats and then they slowly inject concrete into water to solidify and permanently form a base.

I'm sure this technique would be overkill for Lesley - heheh.