Is there a fix or not to worry?

[karlitob1983]

Hi

Builder just finished side access with concrete - using cement mixer.

As you can see - lots of ponding and it’s going up the wall. He said an external floor levelling compound would do the trick.

I’m a bit worried about it and would be grateful for a view.

 

[Notch7]

It’s clearly wrong.

I can’t think of any floor levelling compound that can sort it out - most self levelling compounds aren’t designed as a final finish and will break up.

render down to the ground is always a bit risky - common in older properties, I know. The modern way is to stop 2 courses up at same level as DPC -render gets finished with a bell cast bead.

 

[noseall]

Hi

Builder just finished side access with concrete - using cement mixer.

As you can see - lots of ponding and it’s going up the wall. He said an external floor levelling compound would do the trick.

I’m a bit worried about it and would be grateful for a view.

Ponding is always going to be an issue unless there are decent falls as the path is trapped in on both sides. It wall always be damp down there at best. The wall being wet would ordinarily not be a problem. It looks as though the rendering breaches the DPC and travels all the way to the ground.

 

[John D v2.0]

If you're after a cheap fix, angle grinder to make a suitable depth groove is the classic one.

 

[karlitob1983]

Thanks all.

I’m a little disappointed, I must say.

See attached - another angle to see the extent of the fall against the block wall.

I presume another option is to cut out and start again. Which I don’t mind doing at my own expense - the builder is a good guy who we’re very happy with. But it was the last job to do and I think took the eye off the ball.

What about a channel drain - could I cut out a section and bring it down to the drain (which I was standing on to take this picture)?

 

[karlitob1983]

If you're after a cheap fix, angle grinder to make a suitable depth groove is the classic one.

Thanks for the post. I think I know what you mean? Could you explain a little more (or a pic). Thanks so much.

 

[John D v2.0]

Thanks for the post. I think I know what you mean? Could you explain a little more (or a pic). Thanks so much.

Get an angle grinder, and run it from the deepest part of the puddle at zero depth to a point where it's all downhill to the point you want the water to go, keeping the bottom of the groove roughly flat or downhill from the puddle. So the water has a downhill

 

[sxturbo]

As it's locked on both sides by concrete and house, builder should have known better and angles it to a drain of which there would have been various ways of doing it before it was laid.

As others have said, self leveling won't work there.

And the render to the floor may be an issue.

I don't think there's an easy fix other than what John d has stated

 

[karlitob1983]

Thanks gents. I really do appreciate your time.

final query - is it an option to

i) can I use a concrete leveller to bring down the level on that section?

ii) if not, can I cut out that section to the end of the path and restart with new concrete from halfway down to the end with the accurate levels in tact. Hope that makes sense.

 

[cdbe]

Drill a few 8mm holes in the deepest part, see if it gurgles away like a plughole.

 

[karlitob1983]

Drill a few 8mm holes in the deepest part, see if it gurgles away like a plughole.

Thanks. There’s concrete underneath that section. Bad stuffed that was cracked. The top layer was meant to be a finish layer falling from front to back to meet the drain and connecting a new patio and new drive.

 

[sxturbo]

Option 1 - no, it will break up

Option 2 - yes, would probably be better to have an expansion gap.

Speaking of expansion gaps you don't have any either side of the path,

 

[^woody^]

 

[^woody^]

Ponding is always going to be an issue unless there are decent falls as the path is trapped in on both sides.

Here's a tip ...... create the bloody falls!

 

[noseall]

Here's a tip ...... create the bloody falls!

Agree. It would have been prudent to crown it in the middle somewhere. It will however be a damp hole in the winter months as are all trapped alleyways.