Resurfacing a Concrete Patio

[BBQ2Bayou 807]

I'm about medium to poor with money and DIY skills, but I can figure out most stuff with some time.

I need to resurface with concrete or deck over this patio that has a cracks as big as an inch wide and an inch uneven. 

I read some stuff about decking over these slabs that looks like I might be able to pull it off and it said material would range from $5-15 per sqft. Depending on composite or real lumber.

Or would it be easier and/or cheaper to pour concrete over it? I've mixed up a decent amount of quickrete type stuff, I just haven't done any thing like this and have just started reading about the options and methods.

Happy 4th too, homies!

 

 

 

[deadshank 24653]

First: what is the cause of the crack?

[HornOnTheBayou 8967]

Did some of Vic Mackey's lady friends have a party there last night?

[Gil Bang 26101]

that slab is too far gone and should be removed.

[TwiceHorn 31695]

Unless some condition caused all that cracking and that condition has been removed somehow, I don't think anything you put over that, other than a wooden deck, isn't going to be just as cracked in six months or a year. Slabs resist some amount of cracking just by being a contiguous slab.  Once it's busted up, it's just a bunch of free-floating slabs and if you try to stick it back together or cover over it, nope badger.

[RPM 26431]

Gonna need to remove, firm up the soil and pour a new slab. I'd be checking your foundation while you're at it.

[BBQ2Bayou 807]

22 hours ago, deadshank said:

First: what is the cause of the crack?

I have no idea. My girlfriend bought the house 5ish years ago and it was like that. I've been living here about 2 years and it hasn't changed much that I can tell.

The house is 130 years old and might fall down? I don't like the idea of a failing foundation. That sounds like it sucks. 

[baboso 6057]

So, if house is that old, it has to be on pier and beam, right?

[NeverMarryAStripper 22033]

That patio is not part of the house foundation.  

[baboso 6057]

True, I was just asking about the house foundation vis-a-vis the immediately preceding post.  The patio needs to be torn out and the underlying soil leveled and compacted prior to putting anything other than a deck on it. 

PM haydenhorn, he can give you tips on building a ground level deck (great thread on the old site).