I have to repair the porch. H.O. wants it taken out and a new one poured, but 1″ or so higher, so there’s less step-up at the threshold. I’m thinking leave it, and maybe surface it with some slate or stone tiles or something.
Isolation barrier (like some black building paper, mastic to the existing porch, then mortar the tiles)? This is L.A. earthquake country. Its not moving now, but the crack did move a little in the last small quake several months ago.
I just don’t want to jackhammer the whole thing out and re-pour a new one, if I can avoid it.
“…craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit.” – P. Korn
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From what I can see that isn't a cosmetic crack - it's a structural crack.
Repair it with a jackhammer. Sorry.... Actually - my concrete guys would use a 20# sledge (or 2).
Got any photos of a raised porch you wanna share? I'm all eyes and ears! (Don't really want to go back with solid concrete)"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
the way it crack its really not that thick, proberly two to three inches.
yeah, that has rubble fill under there.
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Not exactly what you mean by a raised porch... Wood framed? To me any porch for that application would be raised...
And, it depends on other exterior details on the house as to what would fit well. I always feel like wooden porches look cheap - but if done well - and the house is the right style they can look good. Also depends if it is front porch, back porch, etc as to what is acceptable. Also the price range of the house.
I'm with you on concrete steps/porch being not very attractive, but it also depends on what is popular on that style of house and a few other things. More info needed, like maybe even a photo taken from a further back vantage point.
In the pic I see stucco walls and a door with bars on it... Maybe we should go for the penitentiary motif.
Maybe all the budget will support is more concrete steps. You could make them look a little better by putting nosing on the steps and some kind of reveal on the edge of the porch surface and maybe stuccoing the risers and porch side below the reveal to match the house.
I hope there isn't a bunch of steel in there....
I'd like to suggest that Miracote stuff I mention from time to time. But not with that crack.
Jackhammer it.
OK, then, how about some pictures or suggestions for a new porch? I'm not crazy about re-pouring a new concrete porch, would much rather build a raised porch. Any ideas?"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
1. you got shakey dirt.
2. you don't have unreasonable foundation issues.
I suggest some form of modular retaining wall blocks coupled with pavers. The blocks will help with the steps necessary. Use this structure to tie in with the rest of the front landscape.
Here, the pavers have also been glued to the top of the solid retaining wall blocks that form the steps under. But you can see how these structures can flow around and smooth out the sharp edges of the building.
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The recent Home & Garden Show here in Denver had some fascinating displays of such applications. Maybe you got one close by? Time to hit the local masonry supply shops.
That's what I was afraid of, more work! (this is not a paying job) That does look good, 'tho. Thanks for the picture. I'll check out the masonry supply near her place, I'm sure there's plenty down there in the L.A. area."...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
I've used Abojet for structural crack repair and Abocrete epoxy concrete resurfacer (resurfacer? is that a real word???) from Abatron Inc. The stuff works great.
Since you're in the LA seismic zone (I'm a real life Environmental Geologist when I'm not an avid DIY'er, Habitat for Humanity volunteer and semi-professional lurker on Breaktime), beside a rubble base I'm assuming there's rebar imbedded in the concrete. Structural repair and resurfacing might be the way to go.
But if that crack moved after the last round of Shake and Quake it'll most likely get worse and new cracks might form. The repair/resurfacing option would definitely be a lot less of a headache, but if the porch is compromised it's hammer time.
And if you go with the prison yard look don't forget the razor wire gutter covers.
SteveVA
Edited 2/26/2009 8:48 am ET by SteveVA