Small but awkward concrete pour

zomex

zomex

Member
Hello all,

Next job on the list is this floor for a small downstairs toilet.

Since the photo I've added another DPM.

I've got around 100mm of concrete to hit my level.

Wondering if anyone has any ideas of tips to get this level right. I don't own a laser level.

I was thinking of screwing a batton to the wall but that would compromise the DPM. The I thought of drawing a line of chalk but that wouldn't be reliable as I've got nothing to stick the DPM to so it's tight.

How about doing a few concrete blobs at the right level, waiting for them to go off so I've got a reference? Assuming it wouldn't make the slab too weak.

Cheers
 

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ChrispyUK said:
Usual to screed or use self levelling compound after. Latter will be ideal to fine tune it given the area
Click to expand...

I don't think I have enough space to screed. Got 100mm of space to work with. Plan was to do 100mm concrete + self leveling on top to get a smoother finish.

Looking to go with 1/2 bucket of cement to 3 buckets of ballast. 6:1 mix?
 
zomex said:
I don't think I have enough space to screed. Got 100mm of space to work with. Plan was to do 100mm concrete + self leveling on top to get a smoother finish.

Looking to go with 1/2 bucket of cement to 3 buckets of ballast. 6:1 mix?
Click to expand...
Yep, slc
 
zomex said:
I don't think I have enough space to screed. Got 100mm of space to work with. Plan was to do 100mm concrete + self leveling on top to get a smoother finish.

Looking to go with 1/2 bucket of cement to 3 buckets of ballast. 6:1 mix?
Click to expand...


I had a few inspections come round and tell me to membrane over the foil.

They said they'd experienced strange reactions when cement hit foil.
They didn't elaborate when I asked about it.

But I've not seen anything strange or had problems myself though.
 
bobski said:
I had a few inspections come round and tell me to membrane over the foil.

They said they'd experienced strange reactions when cement hit foil.
They didn't elaborate when I asked about it.

But I've not seen anything strange or had problems myself though.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've heard the same. All good already put another DPM over that since I took the photo so all set for tomorrow.
 
Job done, it's 85% level :) I see why people use screed on top.

Was hard to work on because the room is so tiny but a couple of bags of self leveler and will call it a job well done.
 

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zomex said:
Job done, it's 85% level :) I see why people use screed on top.

Was hard to work on because the room is so tiny but a couple of bags of self leveler and will call it a job well done.
Click to expand...



SBR and fibres would have improved it for you.


Looks like there's separation and bleeding happening. Leads to a scurfy top.
 
bobski said:
SBR and fibres would have improved it for you.


Looks like there's separation and bleeding happening. Leads to a scurfy top.
Click to expand...

It's all good. I'm sure self leveler will do the business. It'll only be tilled or LVP over the top.

I think the water build up is low points? Couldn't see because of the water. also tried hard to make the mix dry.
 
zomex said:
It's all good. I'm sure self leveler will do the business. It'll only be tilled or LVP over the top.

I think the water build up is low points? Couldn't see because of the water. also tried hard to make the mix dry.
Click to expand...


Yes mate.

But - if the mix was better, it would be more like a cement compound/slurry rising to the top, as you tamp and trowel. A more homogeneous mix.

I'm sure it'll be ok, but it's not 'as one' - how you'd ideally want it.......
 
bobski said:
Yes mate.

But - if the mix was better, it would be more like a cement compound/slurry rising to the top, as you tamp and trowel. A more homogeneous mix.

I'm sure it'll be ok, but it's not 'as one' - how you'd ideally want it.......
Click to expand...

What would have been the ideal mix for this? Or was my application the problem? I like to learn appreciate the feedback.

My mix was a simple 6:1. I know most would screed on top which would be easier for a smooth finish but I didn't have the height to do concrete + screed

Cheers
 
zomex said:
What would have been the ideal mix for this? Or was my application the problem? I like to learn appreciate the feedback.

My mix was a simple 6:1. I know most would screed on top which would be easier for a smooth finish but I didn't have the height to do concrete + screed

Cheers
Click to expand...

No point screeding a little area like that anyway mate. Getting screed mix right can be a pita.
 
zomex said:
What would have been the ideal mix for this? Or was my application the problem? I like to learn appreciate the feedback.

My mix was a simple 6:1. I know most would screed on top which would be easier for a smooth finish but I didn't have the height to do concrete + screed

Cheers
Click to expand...



Have you got another one to do?
 
Small slab like that, lay a couple of batten on concrete strips down level. 6:1 well mixed. Bish bash bosh finished by time kettle boiled !
 
@bobski you were right.

Tough day at the office. There is a 10-20mm layer on top of grainy weak sand which I can dig out easily.

I think my best option is to scrape that off, prime with SBR and then self level. If anyone has any better ideas I'm all ears.

I did gauge my mix using a bucket but cement being 1/4 that probably wasn't accurate. Should of maybe marked the quarter.

Also as you mentioned I didn't work it/trowel it properly.

Onwards and upwards. Can only learn by doing.
 

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zomex said:
@bobski you were right.

Tough day at the office. There is a 10-20mm layer on top of grainy weak sand which I can dig out easily.

I think my best option is to scrape that off, prime with SBR and then self level. If anyone has any better ideas I'm all ears.

I did gauge my mix using a bucket but cement being 1/4 that probably wasn't accurate. Should of maybe marked the quarter.

Also as you mentioned I didn't work it/trowel it properly.

Onwards and upwards. Can only learn by doing.
Click to expand...
Screw fix do their own brand deep levelling screed. Couple bags and will be like it never happened (y)
 
essexandy said:
You still struggling to accept praise mate?
Click to expand...

Tbf mr B, you’re not wrong. Had a few interesting episodes and head scratching moments over the years, but I think that is quite important. Doing the job (whatever it is) is usually reasonably straightforward, having the headroom to deal with the fook ups is what makes the difference



















And the creative bodging rectification
 
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ChrispyUK said:
Screw fix do their own brand deep levelling screed. Couple bags and will be like it never happened (y)
Click to expand...
Self level deep gear, now that's definitely a "bloody fantastic" and bagged solution for many of one's life problems these days...
the only fly in the ointment can be that pesky level of gravity... @Dollar should agree with these sentiments.
God willing :)
 
ChrispyUK said:
Tbf mr B, you’re not wrong. Had a few interesting episodes and head scratching moments over the years, but I think that is quite important. Doing the job (whatever it is) is usually reasonably straightforward, having the headroom to deal with the fook ups is what makes the difference



















And the creative bodging rectification
Click to expand...
Maybe your just not that good mate and driving a taxi would be an attractive prosect .............................:eek:
 
Spitandpolish said:
Self level deep gear, now that's definitely a "bloody fantastic" and bagged solution for many of one's life problems these days...
the only fly in the ointment can be that pesky level of gravity... @Dollar should agree with these sentiments.
God willing :)
Click to expand...

Well you wouldn’t want it dripping on yer bonce mate.
 
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