Replies

1. 
   Jim_Jaarsma | Jun 15, 2000 08:38am | #6

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   Check with a local industrial products supplier who carries concrete accessories...I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't stamps available to give you the look you're after.

1. 
   Dixon_Blackmer | Jul 14, 2000 01:42am | #7

   *I have a foundation for my new greenhouse that is not level and varies up to about 2 1/2 inches. I need to level it so I can bolt the outer sill to it every 3 feet and the inner sub structure that supports the whole thing every 6 feet. Would it be possible to pour a cap of concrete on top varying in thickness from about 1 inch up to 3 1/2 inches and keep it in place? Or would it be better to use a pressure treated 2x and shim then grout under? Or any other ideas? Thanks in advance.

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 14, 2000 04:07am | #8

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   Hey Dixon - you are asking a question here that probably should be it's own thread. Why don't you post it?

   I've poured leveling caps before, but I'd rather it vary from 2" to 4+1/2" (or even thicker) than the 1" to 3+1/2" you mention. I guess they making a "topping compound" but I think plain old 5 sack, with small aggregate would work fine. Just drill some vertical dowells into the top of the wall, say every 2 feet, epoxy them in, sister on some forms and vibrate it pretty good.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 2000 01:33pm | #9

   *We had leaves blow onto our garage floor when they were troweling it with a power trowel. (Or whatever those machines are called) The concrete guy said that was his fall pattern, and that he charged extra for it. You can still see the impressions of the leaves, but they're not that noticeable. But it does look kinda neat. I'd say go for it. On a side note - I tried to get my Wife to leave her butt print in the concrete - there was plenty of room for it in the big slab. She seemed to get pretty steamed up for some reason....................(-:

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 2000 02:08pm | #11

   *I've had concrete burn my feet, I'm sure not sticking my butt in it.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 15, 2000 02:08pm | #10

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   I'm getting ready to pour a front and back patio on my new house. Suspended slabs (piers/beams with metal decking pans) and I'm tossing around ideas for a surface finish. I'm leaning towards troweling on large species leaves, (as in plant life) like banana,elephant ears,ferns etc...and leaving them there to rot away and leave fossils. Have any of you seen this done, or maybe done this yourself? I'm in S.W.Ga.(yes we have grits), and we tend to be a little late getting to these sorts of techniques. You guys probably see it everywhere. I'd sure like to have some feedback on how this looks, how to do it, etc... before I try it on a 350sqft patio.
   Thanks Much,
   Bill

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 06, 2000 01:11am | #1

   *Well,I've never done the leaf thing on purpose but I can show you some fantastic examples of how easy it is where it happened by accident. I can also show you chicken feet in a pour, dog feet, people, etc.My advice is if you are sold on the possibility that you would like this look, test it out on a small area first, have lots of leaves available, way more than you think you'd need, and if you have kids, maybe let them throw a few on there, be part of the process.MD

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 06, 2000 03:41am | #2

   *I've seen this a couple of times, but never on purpose. If It was done in a pattern over a large area, it would be an interesting look.The leaves do make a definate "leaf" impression and it only takes a couple of days for the tannins in the leaf to turn the imprint brown or yellow or leaf color.The problem may be that it's hard to get the leaf out of the concrete because some part will end up alittle below the surface and I don't know if you'll have spalling problems later or not.

1. 
   Johnnie_Browne | Jun 06, 2000 03:56am | #3

   *our shop floor has this due to pouring during a windy day, I think it looks neat. Justa couple of leaves here and there but your friends might think it is tacky, like peoples names in concrete.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 06, 2000 04:24pm | #4

   *Thanks for the input fellas. My dad saw this finish done at Disney World on some of the sidewalks, said it was really interesting. Wish I knew someone who'd actually done it...Bill

2. 
   Guest_ | Jun 06, 2000 04:47pm | #5

   *yeh, we've all seen it.. usually an accident .. and the owner wants to no how we're going to fix it...different strokes......