Flaking old concrete base (lean-to)

Soot2006

In lieu of spending any real money, can I ask a handyman to add a thin layer of new concrete over the top of a really old concrete floor that is flaky (no big cracks). It's been covered by a frequently damp carpet since the 1980s, according to my neighbour. The insects living under this threadbare carpet have further burrowed about, playing in the flakes of old concrete.  All I want is a "less disgusting" lean to as it is between the kitchen the garden, so I want to repaint and pop in a vinyl floor. The lean-to instead isn't damp at all, it's just the carpet where people trudge in and out. I always have a small window open in there so there isn't any condensation or anything like that.  Would this buy me a few more years before inevitably replacing the whole thing?

FreeBear

If you are planning on sticking down a vinyl floor, I'd suggest using a self leveling compound (perhaps with a bit of SBR added). Concrete would need to be 25-50mm thick to accommodate the aggregate and have enough depth to cure properly. A self leveling compound can be as thin as 3mm and you'll get a smoother finish with a lot less work.

Belenus

A self levelling screed would probably suffice and that is a reasonably easy DIY job.

Soot2006

Thanks, this is really helpful!