How to fix gap in concrete patio?

Question

I have this wooden plank that is inlaid into the concrete on my patio. It looks like a whole bunch of screws were put in the wood and then the plank + screws were put in the concrete while it was setting. The wood has now rotted and it is lifting away from the screws and concrete.

I'm thinking about removing the wood plank and screws and concreting the area. Is this a good idea? If so what products would be best (self levelling concrete, normal concrete?). Are there any other fixes that would work?

Thanks for your help

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @ktm5775,

As the void is relatively thin, ideally, you would use a high strength structural repair mortar such as this SikaQuick 2500 (au) Rapid Hardening Repair Mortar, but you should also be fine to use a high MPA concrete mix such as this Easy Mix 20kg 55MPa Super Strength Concrete as long as you add the screws and bondcrete.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

ktm5775 · Answer

Yes there is concrete beneath that dirt. I was thinking of doing the same thing. What concrete would be best?

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @ktm5775,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It's hard to tell from the photo because of the decayed material, but is there concrete beneath that dirt? Or was the decking board just sitting on dirt?

If it was sitting on dirt, I would suggest you dig out the dirt to about 50mm beneath the bottom of the concrete path, then add some road base and compact it to form a stable base. You can then pour standard concrete in the space to fill it, then smooth and finish it with a trowel. Check out How To Repair a Concrete Path for a visual guide on how to finish your concrete.

If there is concrete beneath where the decking board sat, then I'd suggest you clean up the concrete using a pressure cleaner, then drive a number of masonry screws into the concrete beneath and apply a bond coat of bondcrete to the concrete, before pouring your concrete in and finishing it as above. The screws and bondcrete will help to attach the new concrete mass to the old one which will help prevent cracking and damage in the future.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob