Concrete on top of concrete?

nielloeb · 2010-10-21T00:42:26+00:00

A tree root lifted part of the sidewalk leading to my door threeinches. I cut the root so it won=92t grow and am going to pour aconcrete ramp on top of the existing sidewalk so no one trips anymore.Is there anything wrong with the following?Use Concrete Mix to go from three inches to two inches. Use Sand/Topping Mix to go from two inches to 3/8 inch.Make it 36 inches long =96 approximately one inch drop per foot -- whichmeans 15 inches long to go down to two inches and 21 more inches to godown to 3/8 inch.Build forms on either side of the existing sidewalk, going from threeinches to 3/8 inch, with a piece going across to stop it at twoinches.Clean and wet the existing sidewalk.It=92s not necessary to paint on Concrete Bonding Adhesive to theexisting sidewalk, as this is just a little job for a sidewalk thatgets little traffic.Mix the concrete mix a little thick because it has to maintain theangle of the ramp. Pour it into the form. Use a screed =96 i.e. a 2x4to level it and push it down, getting rid of air bubbles. Use atrowel to make sure it=92s level and there are no low places to gatherwater.Let it dry long enough so you can safely remove the cross piece at thetwo inch mark without the new concrete falling.Mix the Sand/Topping Mix a little thick because it has to maintain theangle of the ramp. Pour it into the form from the new concrete at twoinches to the end at 3/8 inch. Use a screed =96 i.e. a 2x4 to level itand push it down, getting rid of air bubbles. Use a trowel to makesure it=92s level and there are no low places to gather water. It=92s not necessary to paint on Acrylic Concrete Cure and Sealer tothe new concrete, as this is just a little job for a sidewalk thatgets little traffic.It=92s not necessary to wet down the whole thing a few times a day for acouple of days because the temperature will be 50 to 78 degrees andthe sidewalk is in the shade.

Oct 21, 2010 20 Replies

Rate this thread:

And you're not. I agree that the OP came here, asked for advice on something he/she/it already had a plan to and would not deviate, got advice on how to do it right, and argued all the way through it that his/her/its way was the best and how it was going to be done. So why post in the first place?

Anyone who has done any concrete work at all knows how it is going to go. I hope he/she/it enjoys doing it twice.

And you make it repeatedly clear that you are a basket case that deserves no further attention.

"semi-litirit" ? Is that a trucker throwing out a McDonald's Happy Meal trash on the Interstate?

Adieu.

Steve

Heart surgery pending? Read up and prepare. Learn how to care for a friend.

formatting link