Repair Concrete Corners
- Clean the Concrete. Remove any loose or damaged concrete from the area to be repaired. Clean the area with a wire brush and broom.
- Create a Concrete Repair Form
- Prepare and Apply the Concrete Patch
- Smooth the Patch
- Finish the Patch. Using a sledgehammer, break up the damaged area of the concrete into pieces. ...
How to refinish a porch?
Stain the Deck
- Begin by applying stain or sealant to handrails using a paintbrush, starting at the top and working down to the deck surface. ...
- Use a natural-bristle paintbrush to apply oil-based products and a synthetic-bristle brush to apply water-based stains.
- Then stain or seal the surface decking boards with a flat paint-pad applicator. ...
How much does a new porch foundation cost?
You can expect to pay $23 to $110 per square foot. The total includes flooring, steps, posts, railing, roofing and more. This includes a material cost of $11 to $70 per square foot and $12 to $40 per square foot in labor.
How to rebuild a porch?
How to Rebuild Porch Stairs; Repairing Porch Posts & Columns. Whether turned or chamfered, porch posts support the roof-framing system (a topic for another story) and act as anchors for attached railings. If they’re made of old-growth wood and positioned correctly, they should last indefinitely—provided they are properly ventilated. ...
How to square your porch or deck Foundation?
Know Your Porch's #1 Enemy
- Ensure you have adequate slope away from your home and porch to direct water away from it. ...
- If you have a crawl space underneath your porch consider covering it with plastic to form a moisture barrier
- Ensure your porch floor slopes slightly away from the house to direct water away
Can you repair a crumbling concrete porch?
A smooth concrete dowel rod can be used to reinforce significantly damaged portions of your porch. The task can be labor-intensive, as it will likely require you to chip away at the crack or hole in your concrete to expand it wide enough to insert the steel dowel.
How do you repair a concrete front porch?
1:024:46Learn how to Resurface concrete porch in 5min in 4k vid - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI like to apply a concrete bonding adhesive to guarantee a strong bond between the surface. And theMoreI like to apply a concrete bonding adhesive to guarantee a strong bond between the surface. And the resurfacing material.
How do you repair a broken concrete porch?
Step 1: Remove the Loose Concrete. Remove any damaged or crumbling concrete. ... Step 2: Clean the Concrete. ... Step 3: Position the Concrete Patch Form. ... Step 4: Mix the Concrete Crack Sealer. ... Step 5: Smooth the Concrete Patch. ... Step 6: Finish the Patch. ... Step 1: Clean the Concrete. ... Step 2: Create a Concrete Repair Form.More items...
Can crumbling concrete be repaired?
You can repair and resurface your spalled concrete in any number of ways. You can buy products that apply a very thin coating on the concrete. The larger premixed bagged concrete manufacturers make these, as do some other specialty companies.
How do you raise a sinking concrete porch?
1:184:49How to Raise and Level Sinking Front Porch Deck Handy Manny - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe solution in this case is to create a parallel support column right next to the sinking supportMoreThe solution in this case is to create a parallel support column right next to the sinking support column.
How do you support a sagging porch?
Some Tips for Porch Foundation RepairsPorches that have settled or sagged should first be raised as close as possible to the original position using jacks, shims or 2×4 props. ... Excavate space for new footings below the frost line, then pour the concrete and allow it to fully cure.More items...
How do you update an old concrete porch?
6 Concrete Porch Transformation IdeasUnify your porch and steps with stamped concrete. ... Give a plain porch a decorative facelift. ... Engrave it to look like natural stone. ... Mimic brick with stamping or stenciling. ... Do a wood plank fake-out. ... Start over with a new porch design.
What Causes Foundation Damage?
For the vast majority of foundation issues, water is the primary culprit. Variations in moisture cause components of the soil to swell or shrink, l...
What Are The Signs of Foundation Problems?
Are you wondering if you have foundation issues? All foundations will settle with time, but problems arise when this settlement is uneven or extrem...
What Regions Are Most Affected by Foundation Failure?
The soil type in certain areas of the country leads to a higher rate of foundation trouble. Areas with high clay content and coastal areas with lot...
Is Clay The only Type of Soil That Causes Foundation Problems?
Clay isn’t the only type of soil that negatively impacts foundations. The second biggest enemy to concrete house foundations is sand. While sand do...
Should I Buy A House With Foundation Problems?
Many home buyers run for the hills when they see a home with foundation issues. The fear is that it will cost thousands of dollars to repair the ho...
Should I Fix My Foundation Before Selling My Home?
If you want to get top dollar for your home, it should be in near perfect condition. This includes fixing foundation issues if you can afford it. S...
Concrete Foundation Repair Methods
Past techniques for repair of sunken concrete has varied. Wood, concrete, cement and steel have been poured, pushed, turned or somehow forced into...
How to Hire A Foundation Repair Contractor
Foundation work is definitely not a do-it-yourself project, so it makes good sense to get at least three licensed contractors to give you a detaile...
Why is concrete used for porches?
Concrete is one of the most popular materials used to make porches because it is sturdy, and although concrete is naturally very solid it can develop cracks, holes, and broken edges . Concrete can become damaged because of poor installation combined with temperature changes and moisture, and these problems are not always initially apparent ...
How long does a porch repair last?
If properly mixed and completed with care, the porch repair should blend in well and last for years to come.
What is the most popular material for porches?
To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Concrete is one of the most popular materials used to make porches because it is sturdy, and although concrete is naturally very solid it can develop ...
Can you repair a cracked concrete porch?
Repairing broken edges, holes, and cracks in concrete is easier than most people realize, and it is possible to repair the damage and make a porch look almost as good as new.
Can you fix a porch landing that breaks off?
The edges of porch landings and stair steps sometimes break off for no apparent reason, and in many cases, the missing pieces are found on the ground. When the pieces can be located they are very easy to reattach if they have not completely crumbled. With careful preparation and placement, the repair to the porch will be unapparent.
Can you repair a broken edge on a cement porch?
The broken pieces are not required since newly mixed cement will be used to repair the porch. To repair a large broken edge on a cement porch you will need a steel dowel rod several inches in length, a masonry drill bit, an electric drill, a wire brush, and a strong shop vacuum.
What are the most serious cracks in a foundation?
According to a Realtor.com article about foundation problems: “Horizontal or jagged 45-degree cracks are the most serious and usually indicate you will need professional help.”. If unsure, monitor the cracks in your foundation, if they continue to expand, call a foundation company out to inspect the cracking.
What is the worst soil for a concrete foundation?
Clay isn’t the only type of soil that negatively impacts foundations. The second biggest enemy to concrete house foundations is sand. While sand does not expand and contract like clay soils, it can be washed away, creating gaps beneath a foundation. Peat is another type of soil that shrinks and expands much like clay.
What causes a house to shrink?
Loss or gain of soil moisture can cause serious shrinkage or swelling. If the frame of a house does not begin to distort until after three or more years of satisfactory performance, it is doubtful that the distortion is caused by full-depth foundation settlement, which is always evidenced by matching cracks.
What is hydraulic piering?
For larger problems, especially those found in house and commercial building foundation shifting, hydraulic piers are typically used to lift and stabilize the foundation. Piering involves the use of strategically placed mechanical jacks to lift the settled beam to grade.
What is grout in concrete?
Once in place, the grout solidifies into a dense concrete mass and provides a competent bearing for the concrete slab. If a soil-cement-lime grout is used, the lime content of the slurry will impart the benefits of lime stabilization to the base or sub-base.
What are the signs of foundation distress?
Bulging floors, cracked walls, and doors that won't close are all signs of foundation distress. Sixty percent of all homes built on expansive soils suffer from foundation distress. The trouble occurs when only part of the foundation heaves or settles, causing cracks and other damage.
Which state has the most foundation problems?
Missouri is another state with more foundation problems than average. Kansas City and St. Louis both have expansive clay soils and variable weather that contribute to the issues. If your basement is leaky or damp you may need basement waterproofing. Or worse, you may have bowed basement walls that need to be fixed.
What is mudjacking concrete?
Mudjacking uses a thinned-out mixture of concrete. As this concrete slurry fills the void underneath the concrete, it gradually lifts the slab. Like any other type of concrete, the filler needs time to set up and cure. This method is less expensive than slabjacking, but it’s also less permanent; like any other type of concrete, it can decay, ...
What is the foam used in slabjacking?
Slabjacking uses a polyurethane foam. Once the foam is injected, the chemical reaction promptly begins. It’s this reaction that causes the foam to expand and lift. This foam solidifies within a few minutes and does not decay.
What is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch?
Deck framing is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch. Before about 1860, deck frames were often built of large logs called “sleepers.”. These sturdy logs were hewn flat on one or two sides, with one of the flat side facing up to act as floor joists.
How thick are porch floor boards?
Historically, porch floorboards were milled from vertical grain 5⁄4″ tongue-and-groove Douglas fir, which meant they were fully 1″ thick. The ends were often shaped in a half-round bullnose by an onsite carpenter, the better to shed water. After World War II, board thicknesses shrank to ¾”, and the ends were typically square-cut, both compromises in terms of the expected lifespan of the wood.
What is a good porch?
A good porch starts with good footings. While the earliest porches were built on large stones set deep into the ground or full masonry piers of fieldstone or brick, contemporary building codes call for footers of poured concrete.
Why ventilate skirting under porch?
Ventilation is crucial for preventing dampness, which can attract wood-eating insects and encourage decay. “You want the bugs to crawl in,” says Andrew Curtis, an exterior restoration specialist, “and you want them to crawl back out.”. It is crucial to ventilate skirting underneath porches to avoid decay.
What are the elements that make up a porch?
If not kept in good repair using water-resistant materials and strategically applied coats of paint, the key elements of a porch—floors, framing, posts, railings, and decorative elements —will deteriorate quickly.
Do porch posts support roof framing?
Whether turned or chamfered, porch posts support the roof-framing system (a topic for another story) and act as anchors for attached railings. If they’re made of old-growth wood and positioned correctly, they should last indefinitely—provided they are properly ventilated.
