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Everything You Need to Know About Concrete Overlays

📅 July 29, 2021 ⏱️ 28:13 🎤 Alex Cadieux

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:00
    Concrete Overlay Introduction
    Introduction to concrete overlays and why they are often installed incorrectly.
  • 0:39
    Contractor's Dilemma & Solution
    A contractor's problem with brown staining on a balcony overlay leads to a discussion on organic vs. rust stains and drainage issues.
  • 5:00
    Drainage and Concrete Assessment
    Identifying the root cause of staining as poor drainage and assessing existing concrete for suitability, pitch, and smoothness.
  • 10:00
    Verticals and Weep Holes
    Importance of inspecting masonry, weep holes, and maintaining an air gap for proper ventilation and drainage.
  • 13:10
    Coping, Geotextile, and Bedding
    Proper installation of coping with drainage, using geotextile, and selecting appropriate bedding materials.
  • 19:48
    Paver Installation and Jointing
    Laying pavers, preserving air gaps, and the critical step of consolidating polymeric sand for jointing.
  • 23:48
    Overlay as Business Opportunity
    Highlighting concrete overlays as a lucrative business opportunity for contractors due to their simplicity and high impact.

Speakers

A
Alex Cadieux
Host — Techobloc

Key Takeaways

✦

Always assess the existing concrete slab's solidity, pitch (minimum 1/4 inch per foot), and smoothness (imperfections less than 3/8 inch over 10 feet) before starting an overlay project.

✦

Do not fill concrete dips with self-leveling compounds; instead, grind down high points to achieve an even surface to prevent delamination and water accumulation.

✦

Inspect and protect masonry weep holes, ensuring a 1/2 to 3/4 inch air gap between pavers and brick to prevent moisture damage and contractor liability.

✦

Install coping with proper drainage by laying masonry cord under mortar or applying adhesive perpendicular to the cap face, preventing water from getting trapped.

✦

Utilize a geotextile layer over the concrete slab to confine bedding material and prevent migration through hairline cracks.

✦

For jointing, use a high-quality polymeric sand designed for overlays, like Flexlock Ultra G2 Rapid Set, and thoroughly consolidate it with a rubber mallet before activation to ensure density and effectiveness.

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