Garage floor levelling costs?

[huw169]

Hi all
Just had my garage floor done, and it is no where near as good as i wanted. I spoke at length with the builders as to what i was looking for so there was no doubt.
It is a 6 inch thick pour.

How long should I wait before self levelling?
What sort of product should I use?
How much should it cost for materials and labour for an 8m by 5m area?

I will give the builders the opportunity to correct this, but if it can't be done for 6 weeks, I will withhold the appropriate cost - I just don't know what that should be.

Many thanks
Huw

 

[noseall]

It sounds to me like you were looking for a power-float finish?

This is achieved by pouring the slab, tamping it flat and level then dragging a screeder over the lot to roughly flatten it out.

Later on once the concrete is firm enough to walk on you then drag a power float over the floor to trowel it up nice and smooth.

The whole operation takes a lot of skill an patience, a strong mix of concrete and a bloke who knows what he is doing.

Was a power float finish stipulated?

 

[huw169]

Thanks for the reply Nosall

Not specifically as i didn't know that was what it was called.
What I told them is that i wanted a flat floor that is smooth like a local kwik fit etc that I could jack up cars on trolly jacks with small 30-40mm wheels and be able to move them around with ease.
This is not what I have got.

It looks like it was laid in sections. Trowelled badly. The dampproof membrain was also allowed to flop back into the cement and cause further roughness at the edges. Its not good really and definately not what was specified.

They also laid it last. I did ask if they would be doing the floor next when they were just at damp level, but was told they could get a better finish doing it last. I had no reason not to believe them at the time.

Is it possible to self level now to about 5mm thick?
Thanks
Huw

 

[noseall]

Floor levelling compound is mainly for pedestrian traffic that is to be covered over and not in direct contact with impacting feet, i.e. covered with carpet, tiles, laminate etc.

Levelling compound will certainly not stand up to industrial impacts such as car jacks and the like.

In all fairness there should have been a greater awareness from both of you. A powerfloated floor is a very specific item, is costly and should be done by an experienced concrete bod. It can not be done on a whim.

 

[huw169]

Thanks Nosall

In fairness, i thought I was being quite specific about what I wanted the end result to look like. I'm no builder, so I'm not familiar with the tools required to achieve the end result, but they should have made me aware of the situation and possible costs and allowed me to make a more informed chioce.
I supose that is what I am really annoyed about.

To be honest though, I have got a single skin garage with tiled pitched roof for a little over 10k, so in general I am chuffed. I supose the floor was never going to be superb for that price, but the rest is excellent.

Thanks for your help.
Huw

 

[theoldun]

Your only way out now is if you want to spend the money, to go for a resin screed.
They can go down to 5mm thick and give you a perfect smoth load bearing ssurface.
Only problem they are specialist operation and not cheap, especially for small areas.
Google resin screeds learn a bit about them and make some phone calls.
old un.

 

[huw169]

Thanks old un
I'll check that out.