How to Raise the Level of a Concrete Porch Floor to be Even With the Home

You can add height to your concrete porch floor for remodeling plans.

Sometimes when you move into an existing home you may find that certain elements don't match up with your plans and need to be remodeled. Other times you may have lived somewhere for a period of time and decide you want to change things up a bit to experience a fresh take on your old home. For example, if you have a concrete porch floor that is slightly lower than the floors in the rest of your home, you may want to raise the level of that floor so you can install matching material.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch thick wood planking for forms
• Nails
• Hammer
• Circular saw
• Safety glasses
• Tape measure
• Spray foam
• Pencil
• Wheelbarrow
• Shovel
• Concrete mix
• Flat trowel or screed

Instructions

1. Assemble a series of forms around the outer edge of your porch to contain the concrete during the pouring phase. Measure the perimeter of your porch and cut the form boards so that they overlap slightly to allow you room to nail them together. Use a hammer and nail to nail the form boards together to create a border around your porch.

2. Prepare the area for the new layer of concrete. Ensure there are no gaps between the form boards and the existing slab of the porch that will allow concrete to leak out. Fill any gaps with spray-in foam from the outside of the form boards so that you do not create a barrier within the boards between the two levels of concrete. Clean the existing concrete with a mop and water.

3. Mix your concrete in a wheelbarrow with the shovel. Add water according to the manufacturer's instructions on the bag and mix it until you achieve a creamy texture. Check to ensure the existing slab is dry. Pour the concrete mixture on top of the old slab. Add enough until you reach the level of height you want for your floor.

4. Flat-trowel the surface of the concrete to a smooth finish. Use a screed (long-handled flat trowel) if you are working with a large area. Smooth the entire surface until you achieve your desired finish. Allow the concrete to dry for at least 72 hours before removing the form boards.

Tips & Warnings

• All of your supplies can be purchased or rented at your local home improvement store. If you are going to be adding several inches to a large patio, it may be worthwhile to hire a concrete truck to pour the concrete for you rather than mixing batches on your own. For anything thinner than 2 inches in thickness, you need to include a layer of wire mesh in the new batch of concrete for additional strength so that the concrete does not crack.

Resources

• Ask the Builder; Pouring Concrete; Tim Carter