Need help with this ugly concrete porch
We are helping our son fix up his house to sell. This porch is one of the last things we need to do, and it's been the one that has worried me the most.
It is a concrete porch, that someone glue green indoor/outdoor carpet ALL over it.
The bottom step will be replaced with a precast riser. I have been working hard to get the carpet off. I tried scraping, a heat gun, a blow torch, lacquer thinner, and then finally my pressure washer. Believe it or not, a couple of HS kids came walking by while I was scraping what the pressure washer didn't work on, and one of them paused and asked "Have you tried vinegar? It really helps". He was right, it did seem to help.
Now I am down to this:
What I would like to do is get the rest of the carpet off, then parge the sides and paint it all with some anti-skid porch paint.
What do you think the next step is? A grinder?
Will parging stick if there is still glue residue?
Could I prime before parging?
Thanks
crazysmom (barbcollins on gw)
Comments (19)
PROJoseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
tim45z10
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Help - Ugly Concrete Patio
Comments (2)First, yes you do have to put down the gravel and sand. If you don't then the pavers or stone WILL heave and sink on you. Second question, if you don't like the look of the concrete patio then you'll like it even less as a broken concrete patio. Plus it would be very difficult to do what you were asking. Good luck!...See MoreUgly Raised Concret Porch needs help
Comments (4)Yes, I understand ... concrete contractor for remodeling job made a big mistake pouring my front concrete porch, the shape is wrong. The angle does not lead to the front door, as planned. Here are some options I'm considering...1) covering it with flagstone- you can use any pavers- need to consider the thickness. They can be set in with sand mortar. 2)covering it with tongue and groove porch material called AERATIS- AERATIS looks like wood, can be painted with porch flooring or ordered in wood tones. 3) DIY acid etching or staining. You can stain it solid color or semi-transparent. Box stores carry them , like paint in price. Basically you just apply them like paint. If you did not seal the concrete , that is even better. I searched the internet and saw some very beautiful finishes. You can also be creative. A light and dark color together created some lovely effects as per the pics. I figure if it chips I can keep the gallon on hand for touch ups. (this will not help me b/c it is the shape I am changing) but I am considering this for other areas of concern. You did not say what you don't like about your concrete porch. For what its worth ... it may not be perfect or as you imagined but in the scheme of things... the boxwoods around it, hanging planters and whatever else you put on the porch it'll dress it up so that I wonder if others will notice what you are seeing. I'm at the age and with enough been-there and done-that experiences that since hubby did all that work for you no matter what you can be proud of him and show it off for that reason. It might help if you let us know what you don't like about it OR what you finally decide to do....See MoreHelp Needed for Back Entry Useful but Ugly
Comments (47)Partial update, progress is being made although not done. You're welcome ;-) We bought the vinyl lattice for under the stairs although haven't put it up yet I painted the railing and the foundation but may do the foundation again - not sure I'm on board with the color. although it isn't completely dry here and it is darkening a bit. What do you think? And no, the part that you see unpainted is staying unpainted. Because that portion of the stairwell is in direct contact with soil, it is always a bit damp and DH says the paint won't grab right - sigh. And from further back. We're looking a bit like the Clampetts at the moment. (reality check - we ALWAYS look a bit like the Clampetts)...See Moreugly beach house - pic is good for a laugh but I need help!
Comments (3)I went to check the pic again but it's down now. Anyway, Is it siding you can paint? Sometimes you can get away with unifying different surfaces by painting them the same color, or similar colors (two shades of the same hue). Some things look a little weird when painted, but I'd rather have the right color paint than the wrong color original surface. At least blue isn't horrible with cream or white or yellow....See MoreDebbie Downer
9 years agocrazysmom
9 years agocrazysmom
9 years agojonnyp57
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago- PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
8 years ago crazysmom
8 years agoYes, I know parging would not be good on the steps & top. We scraped off all the carpet, and I started parging the sides. I used a bonding primer in the mix. If it last 5 years, I would be happy. I really don't want to replace it due to the cost and I don't think it would look right on the house.
I am thinking of painting the whole thing with some antiskid porch and floor paint once we get the replacement step in. Now I can't wait to get rid of the broken step.If I paint the porch grey, do you think I should paint the walk down to the sidewalk too?
Vith
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agocrazysmom
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoVith
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agocrazysmom
8 years agoI have finally finished. It took a little longer that I thought. Mainly due to weather.
After parging the sides, we replaced the bottom step with a precast step from a local brickyard. It was about $50. Plus some solid blocks to set it on.
Then I parged the sides of the new step to help blend it in.
Then I painted the whole thing one color. Gave the railing a nice copy of shiny black rustoleum, put up a new mailbox, and some nicer looking house numbers.
We also took down the railing next to the sidewalk as it wasn't necessary.
I need to touch up the paint a little after adding some flexible caulk around the new step, and spilling a little rustoleum. And get a step stool and take down the little numbers over the door.Then some flowers.
I n
nickel_kg
8 years agocrazysmom
8 years ago
weedyacres
8 years agoenergy_rater_la
8 years agocrazysmom
8 years agoI finally got around to scraping and painting the foundation. The little bit of grey made a big difference. We also had a professional scrape and paint all the windows outside, and he also scraped and painted around the dormers. House is starting to look a lot better.
I have a two page "punch list" on the fridge. Checking off "Scraping and Painting the foundation" felt great :)
Ninkasi
8 years ago
crazysmomOriginal Author