Flooring Options when starting with a perfectly flat concrete pad

[briangaylor]

We are currently looking at a few sites and the one thing they all have in common is that they have a surprisingly flat and level concrete pad in good condition.

With this being said, we are looking for some cost effective options for sloping the floors and installing drain. I tried describing this to a local concrete company and their estimate included completely removing the existing pad, repouring with a slope after a plumbing company has set the drains in place. This seems like more work than is necessary to me. Here are the ways I could see it working in my head - but feel free to call these all stupid - I'm looking for some honest feedback here.

Option 1: Do what the concrete company suggested. Have them demo the entire are we want sloped and build it from the dirt up after a plumbing company has set drains in place.

Option 2: Create a raised 'pad' that will be above the existing pad. The trench drains can be installed above the existing pad and the concrete will be filled in around it.

Option 3: (In my head this makes the most sense) Cut a trench into the current pad and install the drains. Add just enough concrete/coating to add the required 1/4in per foot slope towards the drain.



What did you do? Would you do it that way again?


Thanks!

Brian

[nohandslance]

Hire a flooring Company.

Same situation as yours, got quotes from all the flooring Contractors., decided on a "do it ourself", approach. Bad Idea. Well worth the extra 10K for sloped to drains, than the wasted water and squeeging all my low spots.

Call Cascade Flooring for a quote. They were the best in communication, and have a great portfolio.

Lance
Tonopah Brewing Co.
Nevada USA
775.997.6411

[briangaylor]

Here is what the concrete company sent me after requesting a sloped 60x35 area for the brewhouse and cellar area....


Dear Brian,

To furnish the labor, materials, and equipment necessary for the concrete construction, we are

pleased to submit the following:

 Sawcut existing concrete slab 60’x35’ square

 Demo existing concrete slab and remove from site

 Excavation of existing subgrade for proper slope to drain

 Concrete encasement of trench drain

(Trench drain to be furnished and installed by others)

 Drilled dowels into existing slab on grade @ 24” on center

 Sloped slab on grade infill 2,100sf

o 6” of 4000 psi concrete

o 6”x6” W2.9xW2.9 wire mesh

o 6 mil polyethylene

o Curing compound included

We propose the sum of $31,482.00

Trench drain furnished and installed is excluded.

Sealing of concrete floors are excluded.

[dantose]

We are currently looking at a few sites and the one thing they all have in common is that they have a surprisingly flat and level concrete pad in good condition.

With this being said, we are looking for some cost effective options for sloping the floors and installing drain. I tried describing this to a local concrete company and their estimate included completely removing the existing pad, repouring with a slope after a plumbing company has set the drains in place. This seems like more work than is necessary to me. Here are the ways I could see it working in my head - but feel free to call these all stupid - I'm looking for some honest feedback here.

Option 1: Do what the concrete company suggested. Have them demo the entire are we want sloped and build it from the dirt up after a plumbing company has set drains in place.

Option 2: Create a raised 'pad' that will be above the existing pad. The trench drains can be installed above the existing pad and the concrete will be filled in around it.

Option 3: (In my head this makes the most sense) Cut a trench into the current pad and install the drains. Add just enough concrete/coating to add the required 1/4in per foot slope towards the drain.



What did you do? Would you do it that way again?


Thanks!

Brian

We have a level, non sloped floor and it's miserable.

Why exactly do the have to remove the old pad? Are there outlets they would be covering if the poured new concrete on top? If it is something like that, would it be cheaper to move whatever the floor would interfere with?

[briangaylor]

We have a level, non sloped floor and it's miserable.

Why exactly do the have to remove the old pad? Are there outlets they would be covering if the poured new concrete on top? If it is something like that, would it be cheaper to move whatever the floor would interfere with?

Thats what I'm trying to figure out... maybe they are just assuming the worst since I dont have a place for them to see yet. This quote was based on a similar description for what was mentioned previously in this thread.

[a10t2]

Adding "just enough" concrete to create the slope wouldn't be a good option, at least according to our contractor. The concrete near the drains would be too thin to support any reasonable amount of weight.

Pouring a new slab on top of the existing one should be possible, though.

[mmussen]

My understanding is that you need to add at least 4 (I think) inches of concrete if you're adding onto an existing slab. If you use less somehow the new concrete won't bind to the old slab properly and will come off. Now you might be able to add the slope onto the pad with say an epoxy. Not sure what that would cost though.

[Cascade_Floors]

we would love to help

Thanks lance......

I would love to discuss multiple options I have seen work in the industry. On a flight home right now from Miami. Did a brewery down here

Feel free to email me or call me anytime.

Chris Klein
Cascade floors inc
541-510-1080
Chris@cascadefloors.com

https://www.cascadefloors.com

[Matt Dog]

We tried overlay at our place over an existing flat slab and I wouldnt recommend it. Same issues discussed above with lack of adhesion and some cracking and chipping. Concrete guys dont like overlay for those reasons. If you did try it you would at minimum have to use a special jack hammer like tool to stamp/rough up the surface of the existing pad. Call a flooring place that knows breweries.