concrete slab Help Please - Abysmal slab pour

[bradders3109]

Hi all,

 

I have today attempted my first concrete slab.  It isn't a big room  about 2.75m by 3.5m .

 

We are replacing a suspended timber floor so the walls are already built which made things difficult.  It was a day full of choice language and despite the best efforts of myself and the ministry of fun we have made a bit of a mess.   The result is a slab that rises and falls by up to about 15mm in places.

 

I am thinking that I could go over it with a thin screed or self levelling compound but don't know if this is a good or bad idea.

 

the slab will be covered with 150mm of celotex and a final screed so won't be seen but i'll always know that it isn't level.  

 

Is there a product that I can use on a newly laid slab to level it and cover imperfections.

 

Your help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[JamesP]

From my limited experience I would say don't panic. With Celotex on top, the final screed will determine the level for your final floor covering. 

What thickness is the final screed?

 

Edited March 27, 2021 by JamesP

[nod]

If you intend to cover it with 70 mil s&c screed Leave it as it is 

and you can easily sort it out with the screed 

[bradders3109]

Hi James

 

there will be UFH on the celotex and then 65mm  screed.

[bradders3109]

1 minute ago, nod said:

If you intend to cover it with 70 mil s&c screed Leave it as it is 

and you can easily sort it out with the screed 

 

 

 does it not need to be level for the celotex?

[JamesP]

Just now, bradders3109 said:

Hi James

 

there will be UFH on the celotex and then 65mm  screed.

It will be fine. Now go have a drink and relax.

[Onoff]

It'll be fine.  If really worried put a thin bed of sharp sand down and level that.

 

Where is your dpm going or is that already in?

[bradders3109]

Already on my fourth bottle ☹️

[bradders3109]

2 minutes ago, JamesP said:

It will be fine. Now go have a drink and relax.

 

Just now, Onoff said:

It'll be fine.  If really worried put a thin bed of sharp sand down and level that.

 

Where is your dpm going or is that already in?

 

DPM is under the slab but laps up the walls by another 400mm to take it above the celotex and screed.

[bradders3109]

4 minutes ago, Onoff said:

It'll be fine.  If really worried put a thin bed of sharp sand down and level that.

 

Would you just leave the sharp sand loose or mix it with cement and SBR to form a screed?

[PeterW]

2 minutes ago, bradders3109 said:

 

Would you just leave the sharp sand loose or mix it with cement and SBR to form a screed?

Sharp sand, laid dry and levelled into the hollows. Then Celotex, slip membrane and screed. 

[nod]

6 minutes ago, bradders3109 said:

 

 

 does it not need to be level for the celotex?

No it doesn’t 

The celotex sheets often cause bumps and humps 

As long as your screed doesn’t drop below 50 mil on the high spots You will be ok 

[bradders3109]

I thank you all very much and am feeling a little better already.  I won't try self mixing a slab again though.

 

sharp sand under the celotex it is then.

[Onoff]

I'd leave it loose. Not much difference to what I did blinding my hardcore.

 

 

Looks great when it's done!

 

 

 

You doing any more rooms? I screwed screed rails to the stud walls and used a drag board to get the concrete dead level. No screed, I just tiled on top. Pity my tiling's crap!

 

 

 

[Onoff]

14 minutes ago, bradders3109 said:

Already on my fourth bottle ☹️

 

Red or white?

[bradders3109]

2 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

Red or white?

 

lager mate.  can't face the claret tonight.

[bradders3109]

5 minutes ago, Onoff said:

You doing any more rooms? I screwed screed rails to the stud walls

 

I did screw rails to opposing walls but with trying to mix, barrow into the room and tamp level it got in front of me.  The missus was filling buckets ready for the next mix.

 

 

[Onoff]

3 minutes ago, bradders3109 said:

 

I did screw rails to opposing walls but with trying to mix, barrow into the room and tamp level it got in front of me.  The missus was filling buckets ready for the next mix.

 

 

 

You'll be more aware / better prepared next time!

[Roundtuit]

Don't beat yourself up!  That's probably better than happens on many sites (particularly on a Friday afternoon).  Improvise, adapt and overcome ?

[bradders3109]

Thanks for the replies gents.

 

 The reassurance and encouragement makes a massive difference to a Virgin self builder.

 

 I’ve looked at it again this morning and it’s worse than I originally thought.  However 20mm of sharp sand will level it up and cover the eyesore.

 

 The positive is that the slab is drying solid although the depth will be variable between 100 and 120mm.

 

 Thanks again.