I have a customer who would like for me to “spruce up” her basement as a play area for her kids. We’re working within a tight budget and with a concrete floor that’s seen better days. Because of moisture seepage we’re going to stick with the concrete floor for now. I’m looking for advice on the practicality of skim-coating the existing concrete. I’m assuming a bonding agent to help the new coat adhere but I’m unsure as to what product would be best suited as the skim-coat. The existing pad is pretty badly cracked and the ceiling height is already low so I’m hoping to keep the skimcoat pretty thin if possible. Anyone with similar experience?
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My neighbor just had a concrete floor put in his house. It is about 2 credit cards thick. I was talking to the installer and he said it was some kind of latex modified concrete, I guess a lot like thinset. It was then acid stained and sealed. So far it looks pretty good. He used stuff from QC Products. But I think the cracked substrate is always going to be a problem.
MERC.
usually on that type "overlay" they try to repair the cracks first... cutting them out and filling and tape'n em like you would drywall except with an expanding epoxy type filler and feathering it out... then they skim coat usually with a textured surface so as to hide the repairs to a degree.... not a bad system but it's not cheap material wise...
others i've seen are not much different than a spray in bedliner like in your truck... thought about that stuff for my fishing and pontoon boat...
pony
Thanks for the ideas. The epoxy system with an overlay and a layer of the foam tiles might be just the trick. I'll have to look into what's available around here. I was nervous someone was going to suggest removing the slab or jacking it up.
you're right in being nervous...moisture problems. They are on a tight budget, a proper solution will be very expensive. So the key for you, is educate them that the remedies proposed, should not be considered a permanent fix. But rather "what they can afford". If they're lucky, it might hold out pretty well. Just make sure they understand the ramifications so that they don't put it back on you later.
How about those colorful foam tiles that lock together with jigsaw-like edges? The are nice and soft, and can be taken outside and hosed off in the sun.
The foam tiles come in at about $0.45 per square foot from Sam's Club.