I have a concrete front porch that needs some help.  There are the
obvious repairs that I know what to do with, but...The surface is
uneven and has a small valley in it, along with a lengthwise crack
that runs the distance of the porch, patched by previous owner and is
uneven.  The whole porch is painted.  I want to make the surface flat
and I also was wondering about using that quikcrete, or whoever makes
it, vynl coating to prevent furthur cracking, from at least showing
up.  Any thoughts and ideas appreciated!  Perhaps the garage floor
stuff from quikcrete?

On Jun 11, 7:54=A0am, thebigguy  wrote:
> I have a concrete front porch that needs some help. =A0There are the
> obvious repairs that I know what to do with, but...The surface is
> uneven and has a small valley in it, along with a lengthwise crack
> that runs the distance of the porch, patched by previous owner and is
> uneven. =A0The whole porch is painted. =A0I want to make the surface flat
> and I also was wondering about using that quikcrete, or whoever makes
> it, vynl coating to prevent furthur cracking, from at least showing
> up. =A0Any thoughts and ideas appreciated! =A0Perhaps the garage floor
> stuff from quikcrete?

Have you consider laying sleepers down to even the surface and
"decking" the porch with wood or a composite decking material?

Depending on the size, you could make "deck squares" which would be
removable for maintenence, etc.

thebigguy wrote:
> I have a concrete front porch that needs some help.  There are the
> obvious repairs that I know what to do with, but...The surface is
> uneven and has a small valley in it, along with a lengthwise crack
> that runs the distance of the porch, patched by previous owner and is
> uneven.  The whole porch is painted.  I want to make the surface flat
> and I also was wondering about using that quikcrete, or whoever makes
> it, vynl coating to prevent furthur cracking, from at least showing
> up.  Any thoughts and ideas appreciated!  Perhaps the garage floor
> stuff from quikcrete?

What you are describing is a failed slab- any patches will fail in the 
same place within a few winters. Is this a raised porch? If so, what are 
the sides made from? Raised porches are usually filled with dirt, which 
often settles. If slab cracks, especially on a non-raised porch, water 
can get in there and freeze, which heaves and moves the concrete around.

Before you spend money, sweat, and time on a DIY patch, call a couple of 
local flatwork companies that say 'free estimates' in their yellow pages 
ads. It may be cheaper than you think, especially if it is just a 'cap' 
slab that needs replacing.

--
aem sends...