I'm facing a problem in my garage where the previous owners poured a thick 3½" slab, making it level with the house door. They didn't use it for parking, which leaves me with a jagged concrete step right at the threshold. I want to restore this garage to its original purpose, but I'm stuck with this raised lip across the entire opening. Here are a few options I've considered: breaking it up and removing the slab, pouring a ramp or taper over the lip, or grinding it down and adding a threshold. I'm located in southwest Ohio, which might be relevant due to freeze and thaw cycles. What do you think is the best way to tackle this problem in terms of cost, effort, and long-term durability?
5 Answers
Have you considered using driveway ramps made for lowered cars? They can provide an easy way to bridge that gap without too much heavy lifting or demolition.
You might want to look into using polyurethane foam lifting. It's designed to lift and level concrete without the hassle of removal, which could save you time and effort.
One simple solution is to pour a ramp over the lip and adjust your garage door accordingly. This way, you'll have a smoother transition when driving in and out, and you won't have to worry about removing the existing slab.
If you're up for it, you could rent an electric jackhammer and break up the slab. I think it's likely that the slab is just sitting on the ground and not bonded to anything beneath, so it might come up pretty easily.
If you're looking for a low-cost solution, try placing a 2x6 board right there. You could even stack another board, like a 2x8 with a 2x4 nailed onto it. It could make a big difference without needing too much effort!