Anyone used self levelling screed/concrete?

[CopperBolt]

Got 2 steps that are worse for wear.
Max depth of the concrete stuff prob no more than 2”.

Wondering exactly what stuff to use and how to build some shuttering to stop stuff running off the edges.

Top step about 2.5’ square. Second step 8” by 3’ ish.

Thanks all.

[Lotobear]

Not really what you would use a freeflow concrete or screed for.

I'd use a traditional grano screed, fairly dry 1:3 mix and SBR to bond and use your forms to tamp off then float smooth once it's gone off.

[hidetheelephants]

Rather an unconventional use of screed, I'd have thought getting it to stick to the steps will be hard; a picture of the steps might suggest alternative means of achieving the aim.

[Lotobear]

hidetheelephants said:

Rather an unconventional use of screed, I'd have thought getting it to stick to the steps will be hard; a picture of the steps might suggest alternative means of achieving the aim.

Clean steps as best you can (scabble if possible) then prime steps with cement slurry and SBR, then some SBR in the mix and it will stick like st to a blanket

[CopperBolt]

Meant to get a photo and forgot gah. I’ll try and update.

Screed probably the wrong term then.

[wolfracesonic]

Google ‘concrete repair mortar’ and products like this will come up Epoxyset 105.
Or, as Lotobear says, granolithic mortar. Go into a tame builders merchants and ask for a bag of ‘grano’, it’s a finely ground aggregate, incredibly hard wearing. Mix 1, cement 3 grano with a splash of SBR in the mix, and apply a yoghurt like consistency cement/SBR slurry to the steps.
If you want a smooth polished like finish use a 1 cement, 2.5 Grano, .5 builders sand ratio.
When using concrete in conjunction with timber shuttering, you usually apply a release oil to the latter so the concrete doesn’t stick to it; this is probably overkill for your job, so stapling a plastic sheet/bag to to the timber
let’s the shuttering be struck cleanly.

[CopperBolt]

Picture of said steps:



ps what is SBR?

Thanks

Edited by CopperBolt on Thursday 23 July 18:02

Edited by CopperBolt on Thursday 23 July 18:03

[C Lee Farquar]

I think it's time for new steps.

[Lotobear]

[Jasandjules]

We did but to level the lounge floor for a new flooring to go down flat for the pool table.... Not sure it would work as well on a step!?

[Skyedriver]

SBR - stuff what helps mortar etc stick to paving etc
Buy it in bottles from builders merchants

SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) primer is a high-performance, latex-based liquid polymer used in construction and DIY. It acts as a super-strong bonding agent and primer for cement, tile adhesives, and renders, vastly improving flexibility, water resistance, and crack prevention

[wolfracesonic]

Forget what I said earlier OP, I can now recommend one of these…



I think the sad reality is you’d be wasting time and money on trying to repair those steps.

[SteBrown91]

Yeah Id just get rid and create some new ones with some shuttering and concrete. Probably not much harder or more expensive in the long run

[CopperBolt]

Thanks all, not my steps, sisters, she fell off them last July and buggered her ankle real bad. Still not healed.

New ones seems the way then. Ideally with a handrail I reckon. I expect the steps go down a way under the decking so might cost more than first sight indicates.

I’ll pass the news on.

Anyone any idea on expected cost? Bit of a long shot admittedly.

Thanks

[hidetheelephants]

Condemning them seems a bit over the top, although paying a tradie to repair them won't be that different to demolishing and casting new from concrete or whatever.