concrete job gone wrong, please advise!

Question

we had 2 concrete pads/walkways poured, now that things went bad, the contractor disappeared with our downpayment. one pad is wavy (not level) and has a big line through it where the second concrete truck came too late (after half was already dried), the second pad around the house grades into the house (water running to the basement) plus aggregate shows through, it's a mess.
we were hoping to salvage it with topping it with 'something' and tiling it or so, but a building centre told us that we have to wait a year because of some 'stuff' coming to the surface that will separate whatever finish on top? any ideas? we can't get another contractor because the building industry is too busy for any real company being interested in a small job... any ideas please???? also no cracklines a cut, but i guess we could rent a saw and do it if we knew how....
we are located in waterdown ontario (in case anyone cares to know that) can send pics for reference, again if anyone cares...

Answer 1

Wow !!!



As a wall/flatwork contractor I have been bit in the bud before.The laws are different for you there (usa here).I guess a call to an attorney would be in order.Remember take pictures from several angles,you may need them later for litagation.



Now for your problem.There are ways to patch but that's only a repair and it probably won't last.Your best bet is to tear it out and redo,sorry.Call your ready mix provider and ask them,they are always glad to help.Oh,check with the supplier to see if they got paid!!!,don't want them coming back on you.



We see this alot in this industry,a sad reality.I have had pours go south on me before (yuk) and the losses got kinda big,but that's the bizz.The main thing is stand behind your word,they didn't.



Good Luck

Answer 2

Ok I have no experience here, but from watching a lot of Holmes on Homes I would be inclined to think that as horrific as it sounds to you, it may be best to rip it up and start again, building something good on top of something bad just seems like a bad idea, this episode isn't the one I was thinking of (the one I saw that seemed similar they had to redo an entire concrete floor) but it has similarities to your situation.. http://www.holmesonhomes.com/episode_show.php?sid=17&eid=74

and maybe you could get some help here too.. http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/fixing/

but before buying anything or starting to cover this work, I'd be emailing a few places like the one above to explain the situation and see what they say, to avoid losing any more money. So sorry for you situation and I hope things improve soon.

Answer 3

Demo and tear out isn't your only option and if it's within the parameters of being topped you want to use "Resurfacer" which is sold in The Home Depots masonry and concrete section near "Patcher" and other concrete/masonry repair products. Just be sure you get "RESURFACER". I would apply a concrete bonding agent which you'll find on the shelf just above the Resurfacer in quart and gallon bottles. You'll need to mix this Resurfacer as per directions and trowel it down. The key to success with this product is after applying the initial application with a finishing trowel, you finish with a pool trowel, always keeping a wet edge. I use this product and method regularly on walks and patios with great success so the info and remedy is coming to you from actual experience.



If you are going to tile this you don't need the above. . . simply apply the thinset, adjusting thickness and amounts to compensate for the highs and lows (waves), and set the tiles level.



If you need any further help or consultation on this please don't hesitate to get ahold of me. I am so sorry this happened to you and if I was in Michigan as initially planned I'd come and fix it for you.



In closing I'm going to convey that you need to always look up who's going to do your work. If they'e not known by reputation, ask to see other projects they've done and talk to their past/present customers. It sounds to me like your man saw he was in trouble and ran. As far as pursuing legal remedies it's unlikely you'll get anything more than incurring more costs and loss on this.



Mike Lonergan

TradesProfessional, Inc.

http://www.tradesprofessional.com

Answer 4

Digging it up is the best solution. One method you could try is to use a pva bond such as unibond. pour some pva onto the surface add water (ratios of quantities should be on the side of the can, look for bonding screeds) then you could pave the top (brick sets, paving etc.)

obviously slope away from the building. Another method is to score the top using a disc cutter seal with pva as above and concrete over the top(minimum of 50mm of concrete) make sure the dpc isn't breached. but i still think digging it up and redoing is the best solution.

Answer 5

My husband is a civil engineer, he said if you try to go over it, (especially in Canada) before it cures it will just crack off,being in a colder climate it will take longer to cure. He said unfortunatley the only real thing to do is tear it up and start over. You could cut some of the cement away by the house maybe 2 feet. and slope that part, as a temporary solution to the basement flooding. If you have any more Q's you can e-mail me, he deals with this sort of thing at work.

Answer 6

They probably did not put dow enough gravel as the base of the concrete when they poured it you may hace to get a contractor to chip the stuff that they did with a chipping gun then pour a good amount of gravel then pour the concrete

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

Contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint. Also go to your building dept and also file complaint there also, so this contractor does not do same to someone else.

Answer 9

go to google.com..and type in his phone number he gave you..use no dashes inbetween the numbers..and it will pop up and show a map right to his house...address and all..unless he gave you a cell phone only, or if he hasnt had his number deleted manually from the list...I would also go to the building department and check on his license ..I assume you asked for these credentials ahead of time..or if you prefer..e mail me his name , name of comapny..the phone number he gave you..and I will find out this info for you...I hate rip offs and shoody contractors ..I am a 37 year experienced painter..and believe me..I can tell you some horror stories too..I would be more than happy to assist you..my e mail address is in my profile

Answer 10

Sounds like a nightmare.and a nightmare in the making in your basement. Other than the legal advise above, sounds like l would take pictures and rip it out and go after the other guy for damages.

Answer 11

Simply close your interview with Thank you, when do I start...? Leave it an open ended question on their part, you may be surprised~