Replies

1. 
   IronHelix | Jan 17, 2005 03:36pm | #1

   So this question should probably belong with the "Estimate of garage Repairs" posted above?

   Still short of pertinent information..............

   Why do garage floors in your local (whereever that is?...please fill out your profile) tend to buckle and deform?

   If you pour a new floor on top, what will prevent it from doing the same?

   The second floor will bring the concrete up onto the walls and plates of the garage thus inviting moisture to be trapped and contributing to more rot that you asked about in the other post?

   The old floor should really be removed and the buckling situation analysed, corrected and then a new floor poured.

   Between two posts on this garage...it sounds as if it is in poor condition!

   Did you have the house/garage inspected?  What were the results?  Is the house also suffering from similar deficiences and problems?

   Be cautious!

   ....................Iron Helix

1. 
   brownbagg | Jan 17, 2005 04:26pm | #2

   if you pour it, it will crack inthe same spot.

2. 
   Hotcakes | Jan 18, 2005 01:09am | #3

   Brown Bag and Iron Helix,

   Thanks so much for your comments!  Yes the floor and the garage are a mess.  Thankfully the house has had better care and I will get a General Contractor to do a house inspection. 

   Around here (Central Valley of Northen California) the soil has a high clay content and we have wet winters and dry summers.  What people tell me is that the soil expand when wet, then contracts when dry.  That plus hydrostatic pressure supposedly causes the concrete to buckle.  

   It sounds like you are saying the only real fix would be to demolish the old concrete, excavate (how far?), then fill with a suitable base material (recommendations?), install reinforcement (mesh? rebar?), and then pour new concrete.

   Is it possible to do this with the garage in place or will I have to raise it off the (4" high) concrete foundation?  It looks like the foundation is separate from the floor plates.

   Any idea what this should cost - its about 16 x 20 feet?  

   Thank you!

   Hotcakes

1. 
   IronHelix | Jan 18, 2005 03:31pm | #4

   My estimate will not begin to be usable in the great state of California......concrete here is $70 /yd and an average wage is under $20 /hr.  You live in a different world.

   In California I believe to do a valid home inspecion you must be trained an licensed as per state regulations....check it out.

   A general contractor may have many varied and different skills...but not necessarily adept at "inspecting a  house" for faults....although  they may possess the ability to construct one.

   I have done both and the approach and methods are different from each other. Yes they have information overlaps...but the end result is quite different!

   Please check qualifications....there is a lot at stake!

   ...................................Iron Helix