Uneven concrete flooring in condo

**sidney alstad** · 10-28-2010, 09:35 PM

Anyone familiar with concrete decking utilized as flooring in condominiums. There was 4.2 degrees of differential (peaks to valley) observed on the carpeted area, and 3.3 degree's of differential at the parquet flooring. No cracks anywhere at the stone/mortar fireplace; Condo was constructed in 1979, top floor unit. I think its just a case of uneven leveling of concrete that was poured on a Monday or Friday. How would you write this up?...at the least it is a trip hazard, and could be structural. Call for removal of the carpeting?....

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**Dom D'Agostino** · 10-29-2010, 05:21 AM

I wouldn't necessarily say it was a un-even or un-level subfloor, since you didn't see it directly. How about a loose or damaged carpet pad?

Many condos use gypcrete for fire and sound properties. It is seldom troweled flat or true when they know it will be covered by a another material.

By the way, those measurements are very specific, how did you arrive at those values?

**sidney alstad** · 10-29-2010, 10:41 AM

Digital level

**Scott Patterson** · 10-29-2010, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by sidney alstad

Digital level

A water level or a straight level that has a digital readout?

You really can not get an "true" measurement unless you are on the base or subfloor.

**sidney alstad** · 10-29-2010, 02:17 PM

The type of level is not relevant. The concrete flooring was extremely uneven, probably an early Monday or Friday job back in 1979. I informed the buyer's that removal of the carpeting and parquet tiles would be one way to determine how unlevel this floor was, and they are awaiting notice from the bank that owns this property.

**Scott Patterson** · 10-29-2010, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by sidney alstad

The type of level is not relevant.

OK.....

**Jerry Peck** · 10-29-2010, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by sidney alstad

The concrete flooring was extremely uneven, probably an early Monday or Friday job ...

Probably has nothing to do with early Monday or Friday ... and to suggest that would be unprofessional. It could just as easily (maybe even more likely) to be an afternoon slab where the concrete was setting up before they got it screeded out, vibrated, and finished.

It also could be caused by post tension tendons.

There are several reasons, and I would stay away from suggesting (or even thinking) the Monday or Friday stuff.

**sidney alstad** · 10-29-2010, 05:48 PM

Mr Peck,

I did not state this to my client. But why would thinking about this be wrong. Haven't you ever purchased something that you thought may have been built on a Monday or Friday, i.e. a car that is a lemon.

**Jerry Peck** · 10-29-2010, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by sidney alstad

But why would thinking about this be wrong. Haven't you ever purchased something that you thought may have been built on a Monday or Friday, i.e. a car that is a lemon.

There was that old saying about never buying a car which was made on Friday or Monday ... yet it made no difference, it was just 'an old saying' (they do not do good work as Friday as they are getting ready for the weekend, or, they are hung over on Monday so they do not do good work).

While that kind of stuff may 'sound cute', it is completely without logic, especially in construction where weather plays a large part in how things are done ... rain ... snow ... cold ... heat ... you name it.

Yeah, I've had lemons, but I've never thought 'Oh, this must be a Friday or Monday car' - it was just a lemon and it could have been built anytime during the week.

**John Kogel** · 10-29-2010, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by sidney alstad

Anyone familiar with concrete decking utilized as flooring in condominiums. There was 4.2 degrees of differential (peaks to valley) observed on the carpeted area, and 3.3 degree's of differential at the parquet flooring. No cracks anywhere at the stone/mortar fireplace; Condo was constructed in 1979, top floor unit. I think its just a case of uneven leveling of concrete that was poured on a Monday or Friday. How would you write this up?...at the least it is a trip hazard, and could be structural. Call for removal of the carpeting?....

Top floor of a 30 year old condo, you can't be sure if there has been major settlement of the building. You can't see so you can't report on cracking or damage in the units below the one you're inspecting. Small dips and bumps are one thing, but if there is a noticeable tilt to the floors, I would advise further evaluation.

Over the course of that many years, there may have been detailed inspections of the structure. Advise the client to ask for engineer's inspection reports for the building if there are any. If there is a serious problem, chances are there is information about it in strata council notes and engineer's reports.

I concur with JP, forget that Friday/Monday stuff. Bad work can be done any day of the week.

Actually, I remember working late into the evening to get the job done when we had a big pour to do. You don't just walk away with the job half finished and expect to last in the concrete biz.

I've attached a pic of a 1965 IBM computer tilted 4.2 degrees. Yikes! Check your info. Well you did say there was a trip hazard.