Replies

1. 
   danski0224 | Nov 28, 2009 12:40am | #1

   My best guess would be an epoxy or the foam used to seal foundation cracks.

   I bet tar would transfer through, too.

    

1. 
   stumpgrinder | Nov 28, 2009 01:24am | #2

   spit on it and rub some gumbo on it, mite work.

    

2. 
   DanH | Nov 28, 2009 01:29am | #3

   Is the mark due to something oozing up, or due to the rough spot causing dirt to collect? Or maybe flexing in the vinyl because the repair is likewise flexing.

   This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in. --Theodore Roosevelt
1. 
   edwardh1 | Nov 28, 2009 01:44am | #4

   Neither its a discoloration on the bottom layer of the sheet tile.
   You can not rub/sand it off

3. 
   Dinosaur | Nov 28, 2009 10:30am | #5

   Tile it. Use some scrap porcelain floor tile. Stop by your local tile shop and ask 'em if they'll sell you a box of scrap/mismatches for $10.

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
   low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
   foolish men call Justice....
   

   

4. 
   JohnSprungX | Dec 03, 2009 04:52am | #6

   Perhaps these folks have something that would help:

   http://www.xypex.com/

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   edwardh1 | Dec 03, 2009 05:22am | #7

   Thnaks
   oddly I posted something on a plumbers forum and they seemed to think that since the trenches had vertical walls (cut with a big saw after the slab was laid), that the marks were caused by the trench itself settling, and then the marks were wear marks from people walking on it.
   the question is how do I find out if thats what it is or if its water migration at the cut line.

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Dec 03, 2009 02:06pm | #8

   or if its water migration at the cut line.

   Tape a 2x2' piece of 6 mil plastic over the cut line. Seal the tape down edges well. Leave it down for a few days and check it daily. If there is moisture moveing through the slad at the cut lines, you will clearly see condensation forming on the inside of the plastic.

   Did the original slab have poly under it? If so, it was removed at the trench line when the plumbing line was added.

   I incline to agree with the plumbers. It is likely  moisture moving the slab and the "stain" is a combination of that and dirt or maybe even mold forming under the vinyl.

1. 
   edwardh1 | Dec 03, 2009 05:21pm | #9

   Dave- no poly.
   Had carpet originally.
   then had sheet vinyl put on.
   3 yrs later the marks.
   I will check again but I think the marks are sub surface, in the vinyl, but not coming up to the top wear layer.

2. 
   JohnSprungX | Dec 03, 2009 09:59pm | #10

   It could be either or or both.  Dave's test will tell you if water is coming up.  A real careful close look and feel will tell you if the concrete patch is moving down. 

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   edwardh1 | Dec 04, 2009 02:01am | #12

   The moisture fans on a tile forum said that the moisture could mark the sheet tile WITHOUT getting up through the top wear layer. If true, the tape plastic over it would not work

5. 
   renosteinke | Dec 03, 2009 11:03pm | #11

   I'm inclined to think that the patch itself has shifted.

   What you're SUPPOSED to go when making such a patch is to set anchors several inches into the original floor, and use them to tie the patch in place. However, for smaller patches, and where there's no inspector around, those anchors get overlooked - they just mix some mud and pour it in the hole.

   Indeed, if the patch is less than 18" wide, I can almost guarantee there are no rebar anchors installed; there's just not enough room for a rotohammer to get in there and bore the anchor holes.

   I can't see what you can do to fix this that would not involve some serious work. Does it really matter that much?

6. 
   mike4244 | Dec 04, 2009 02:18am | #13

   I did some work in the basement of a customers house that had plastic L bead glued down on the top of the tile and against the edge. This hid the rough cut, may hide your problem too.

   mike