Concrete slab advice

[John]

Two questions really: Our semi (c.1962) has a concrete slab outside the front door, approx 2m by 1.5m. I feel I ought to replace it ...

(1) Not only is it very grotty by now, but it has sunk by about 3.5cm, away from under the front step. (If you see what I mean: the front step is of course a big concrete block which presumably is built into the walls; you step down on to the concrete slab; the slab was originally laid flush up to, and under the front edge of, the step; there's now a

3.5cm gap between the top of te lsab and the bottom of the step.) Question: should I be worried that the slab has sunk by such a depth over the years?

(2) Question: If I just break up the slab in situ, and possibly remove an inch or two of the rubble, can I save on new concrete by just using it as (rather deep) hardcore?

Cheers - (and thanks for all the inestimable advice gleaned by us lurkers!) John

[BigWallop]

Hi John,

Seen this before many, many times, and the only answer is to take the lot away and build up the ground below it ready for a new pour of concrete.

What happens when you add to the surface of it is, you're also adding more weight to it, and so you make it sink faster. If you take the whole thing away and treat the ground underneath with a new bonding of modern fibre webbing and build it back to where it should be. Then shutter it off to size and pour a new base, then it will last a whole lot longer. The one that's there has lasted since 1962, so you can expect the new one, if done right, to last just as long. How do the old timers say it ? "Will see my boots off" :-))

[John]

Yes, I guess it is. I suppose it has sunk about 2.5cm in the 16 years we've been in the house.

Good idea, but I'm [now!] aware of the advice proffered by BigWallop, which was that adding more on top will just make it heavier and cause it to sink faster!

I might grit my teeth and get some quotes for having this replaced, and also re-doing the drive, with which this slab connects (via another slab).

If I were younger and less weedy (I'm a "slim 55 year old") I'd have had the whole lot up by now and be hand-mixing piles of concrete! But one of the lessons you learn on your way to 55 is that ... concrete is very heavy!

Cheers John

[Ophelia]

LOL

[geoff]

In message , BigWallop writes

Plait it in a macho manner

[BigWallop]

ROFL

I'm just sitting back and letting it happen. Pointless fighting it. :-)

Now if only all my other machines, that I've made and fitted over the years, would last as long as We all do. Then I'd be sitting back and letting it happen in somewhere like Barbados or St' Tropez or anywhere warmer and sunnier than good'ol blighty. But, I suppose I'll just have to stay here and carry on repairing and replacing them for a few more years yet. (?)

And can anyone tell me why, after just a few months, I have caught myself groaning loudly while I bend to pick up a tool from the floor. Why has this just suddenly began to make a difference in bending over properly. I'm starting to sound like a tennis player. :-))

[Andrew McKay]

Nice to see I'm amongst friends - I'm a '56 kid as well :)

Actually I don't have a problem with the groaning whilst bending down. The bit I can't quite come to terms with is that over the last couple of years my feet seem to have got further away - only they look about the same distance as they were before! Something odd going on somewhere..... ;)

Andrew

Do you need a handyman service? Check out our web site at

[Gnube]

A relatively rare bunch I think, not remotely sure why, just not that many of us I've noticed, and females of that year rarest of all (probably lying about it of course! ;O)

To quote an old script, "you need leg lag - leg lag? Yes, leg lag! - Neddy, get the Land Rover out and measure his legs!"

I don't know where the creaks and grinds come from, but they sure do pop up more often lately! BTW, you got to know about this; those super duper expensive knee guards from Screwfix are a seriously good investment at 47 or there abouts! ;O) OK they may be the worst part of £30 but new knees are dearer and harder to fit - what a revelation they were on the first outing - it was like being a kid again! ;O)

Take Care, Gnube

[BigWallop]

Knee pads are always top of the list Gnube, especially if you're a groveller like me. :-)) I never leave home without 'em. I use a big cushion at home because no one sees me at home, but out in wild world, I put knee pads on. Knee pads, glasses, a hat to keep me head warm, arse hanging out the back of the jeans, old steel toe capped boots on and a thermos flask, and I wonder why younger women aren't attracted to me.

What I have been noticing this year past, is my toe and finger nails seem to be needing trimmed more often, and I don't know if it's ageing that's doing it, or if I'm turning into a werewolf. (?) Well, that's me for nowoo woo woo woo woo. :-))

[Andrew McKay]

I've been having some problems recently with my jeans slipping down when I bend over and stand up, and they need rehoisting. One day last week they fell right down, exposing my undies - I hasten to add that I was at home indoors so no old ladies swooning at the sight!

This seems to have something to do with the fact with my middle-age spread in my midriff makes the body-to-jeans interface into a negative slope, and the jeans tend towards gravity.

I've now solved the problem though - a decent pair of trouser braces.

Andrew

Do you need a handyman service? Check out our web site at

[Simon Avery]

Hello Andrew

Surely a "real man" would've used a staplegun? :)

[Gnube]

Boiler suits start looking like a very attractive proposition; think of all the adjusting/re-hoisting time you'd save over whatever time you have left! ;O)

A younger person won't see why that's something you'd think about, but it makes more and more total sense around the half century mark! ;O)

Only half the items to hang out to dry on wash day too - hmm maybe a smart black one for Best and Sundays too! ;O)

Take Care, Gnube

[Andrew McKay]

I like to get my trousers off occasionally - maybe for removing the materials left behind after using a chainsaw..... ;)

Andrew

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