- Patch to Repair Concrete Floors. If your concrete floor has a small gouge or hole that's marring its appearance, you may be able to fix it up with a simple ...
- Paint the Floor. If your old concrete floor is stained or just looks drab, painting it is an inexpensive way to fix it up.
- Resurface Old Concrete Basement Floor. For an old concrete floor with serious cracks, gouges, stains and other imperfections, patching and painting alone may not be enough to fix it up.
- Cover the Floor. If your old concrete floor is beyond the help of patching or painting but you don't have the budget for a concrete overlay, self-stick vinyl tile is ...
How do you finish a concrete floor?
To give you a head start, here are finishing tips from the pros:
- Place the concrete as close as possible to its final destination (concrete weighs approximately 150 pounds per cubic foot).
- Excess handling can cause segregation of the course and fine aggregates.
- Wetting up the concrete so it can be raked or pushed into a location far from where it is discharged is not acceptable.
How to restore a concrete floor?
- Add half a cup of TSP (tri-sodium phosphate, a heavy-duty cleaning agent you can find at hardware stores) to one gallon of hot water.
- Mix well to dissolve the TSP powder, then pour it onto the patio.
- After 20 minutes or so, scrub the surface clean, then rinse with a garden hose.
- Carefully check the patio for any holes, chips, or cracks. ...
How to repair the toilet flange on a concrete floor?
How to Repair the Toilet Flange on a Concrete Floor PrepaTurn off the water supply at the shut off valve under the toilet tank. Remove the old supply line and discard. Straddle the toilet, bending at the knees and lift the toilet up. Put on the rubber gloves and using the scraper, remove the remnants of the old wax from the wax ring and the old toilet bolts.
How to prep a concrete floor?
Step-by-Step Guide to Prepare Concrete Floor For Self-Adhesive Tiles
- Strip any material on the floor. If your concrete floors are waxed, first remove the wax coat before installing vinyl tile. ...
- Vacuum the floor. After stripping all unwanted material that can keep your vinyl tiles from adhering to the floor, you can now vacuum the floor.
- Repair gaps and holes. ...
- Level uneven spots on the floor. ...
How do you fix a crumbling concrete floor?
Prepare the crumbling area for a coat of new concrete. ... Create a slurry mixture by combining pure cement with water in a bucket. ... Apply a coat of the cement slurry mixture on your previously crumbled area, using a paintbrush. ... Cover the cement slurry with some of your concrete mixture.
How do you resurface a damaged concrete floor?
14:2824:32How To Resurface A Badly Damaged Concrete Walkway - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you try to trowel on a resurfacer on something that's dry concrete. It's it's going to go onMoreIf you try to trowel on a resurfacer on something that's dry concrete. It's it's going to go on really tough it's not going to spread out that nicely.
Can a cracked concrete floor be repaired?
1:294:15How to Fix a Crack in Concrete | A DIY Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDo all the way down the crack. And if you want to you can use a wet finger or a masonry trial toMoreDo all the way down the crack. And if you want to you can use a wet finger or a masonry trial to smooth it out after this sets up in about 30 minutes and fully cures in 24. Hours.
How do you repair an old concrete basement floor?
How to fill a Large Hole with ConcreteStep 1: Use a hammer and a cold chisel to level the bottom of the hole. ... Step 2: Brush on a concrete bonding liquid. ... Step 3: While the bonding agent is still tacky, mix the concrete. ... Step 4: Level the patch.
Can old concrete be resurfaced?
Concrete resurfacing is a way to make old concrete look new again. A concrete coating is applied over the existing surface, offering a variety of color, texture and pattern options. This type of decorative refinishing can be done on driveways, patios, pool decks and even indoor floors.
Can crumbling concrete be repaired?
You can repair and resurface your spalled concrete in any number of ways. You can buy products that apply a very thin coating on the concrete. The larger premixed bagged concrete manufacturers make these, as do some other specialty companies. These products do work, but pay close attention to their limitations.
How do you fill large cracks in concrete?
0:382:01Repairing Large Cracks In Cement With Fast Setting Cement PatcherYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn thin sections of the crack it may be necessary to turn the trowel sideways to ensure the void isMoreOn thin sections of the crack it may be necessary to turn the trowel sideways to ensure the void is filled. Using the trial continue to fill the cracks applying pressure to completely fill the void.
Can you epoxy over cracked concrete?
Epoxy coatings cannot withstand the stresses associated with concrete cracks due to settling, dry shrinkage or other factors. Don't let the fear of cracks keep you from enjoying the benefits of epoxy; with a little prep and repair work, you can move forward with your epoxy project.
Should I worry about cracks in my concrete floor?
Generally, cracks in your floor are nothing to worry yourself over. The only time that you might be concerned is if the cracks start changing vertically, suggesting that there is some settling happening.
How do you make an old concrete floor look good?
The following are some ways you can use to make concrete floors look nicer:Acid Staining. Concrete flooring is great because it is easy to maintain. ... Resin Flooring. ... Stained and Polished Concrete Flooring. ... Dyed Concrete Flooring. ... Painted Concrete Floors.
Whats the difference between cement and concrete?
What is the difference between cement and concrete? Although the terms cement and concrete often are used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel or crushed stone; the paste is water and portland cement.
How do you prep concrete for resurfacing?
0:334:28How to Resurface Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipResurfacer. Old concrete must be rigorously clean to ensure proper adhesion of the new surface.MoreResurfacer. Old concrete must be rigorously clean to ensure proper adhesion of the new surface.
What is concrete overlay?
Answer: A concrete overlay is a thin color concrete cement based products that go over existing concrete for repair or decorative reasons. Overlays can be applied as thin as a feather finish up to in most cases 3/4″ depending on the desired finish.
How do you refinish an interior concrete floor?
How to refinish concrete floorsPrepare & Repair. Etch, grind, or shot blast the concrete surface to make it porous. ... Clean & Prime. Mop and let the concrete slab thoroughly dry. ... Mix Product. ... Apply Overlay. ... Add Patterns & Texture. ... Cure & Seal.
How can I make my concrete floor look good?
The following are some ways you can use to make concrete floors look nicer:Acid Staining. Concrete flooring is great because it is easy to maintain. ... Resin Flooring. ... Stained and Polished Concrete Flooring. ... Dyed Concrete Flooring. ... Painted Concrete Floors.
Why do you put underlayment over concrete?
Underlayments are installed over an existing concrete subfloor to smooth it out and correct any surface irregularities prior to the installation of other floorcoverings, while toppings act as the actually finished floor without the need for an additional floorcovering.
How far down can you level concrete?
Most self-levelers can go down 1/4 inch to 1 inch, with the ability to be feathered into the existing floor to make a very gradual transition.
What is stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete starts as a thin layer, typically 1/4 to 5/8 inch, of concrete that is applied to an existing slab, then is textured with a stamping tool to create the appearance of natural stone, tile, or brick. The concrete can be tinted or dyed, as with new concrete installations.
How long does it take for a micro-topping finish to cure?
The treated surface can cure in a day, and usually can be walked on within 36 to 42 hours of being applied. It is important to seal micro-topping finishes, as they are porous and tend to collect dirt that is difficult to remove once embedded in the material.
Can you color self leveling concrete?
Like other repair treatments, self-leveling concrete can be colored with tints during the initial mixing, or the treatment can be colored after it is applied and cured, using dyes.
Can you repair a concrete slab?
Concrete floors and subfloors can be repaired using one of three common methods. All of these involve covering the existing concrete slab with a new coating of concrete or a concrete-like topping and finishing the new layer as desired. These methods can be used on interior and exterior surfaces and are intended for surface restoration only; they are not suitable for repairing significant cracks or other structural problems in existing concrete slabs.
How long to wait before walking on concrete patch?
For a texture, pull a damp push broom over the concrete. Wait at least 24 hours before walking on the patch and a week before driving on it.
What to use to smooth a wood surface?
When the surface loses its wet sheen and feels firm to the touch, smooth it with a magnesium or wood trowel, which won't interfere with curing.
Can you pour concrete into a hole?
Simply pouring wet concrete into a hole in your driveway, sidewalk, or basement floor won't make for a lasting repair. You have to prep the edges correctly and use the right materials.
How thick is a concrete repair?
In general, thick repairs refer to repairs that are about 3 inches thick and that completely encompass at least some reinforcing steel from the existing structure. If the repairs do not encompass any steel from the existing structure, they are typically at least 6 inches thick. In such cases, consideration should be given to anchoring additional reinforcement (that will be embedded in the repair material) to the existing concrete. Typical examples of thick repairs include replacement concrete, preplaced aggregate concrete, shotcrete, and silica fume concrete.
What happens if a concrete floor is heaving?
If the concrete floor to be repaired is heaving, has large or wide cracks, or is damaged due to freeze damage, then other alternatives should be considered instead of resurfacing.
Why are cracks in concrete bad?
Cracks in concrete are widely regarded as long-term durability and maintenance problems because they increase the permeability of the concrete. Cracks can allow the ingress of moisture and other compounds into concrete, leading to further deterioration. Cracking is a problem that occurs in most geographical locations and climates, and many types of concrete structures. Reclamation has a large inventory of aging concrete that is experiencing deterioration resulting in cracking or exacerbated by cracking. Effective sealing and coating compounds for smaller cracks could slow or halt deterioration in some cases.
What is concrete sealing and coating?
Concrete sealing and coating compounds are applied to cured, dry concrete as a maintenance and repair procedure to reduce or prevent penetration of water, aggressive solutions, or gaseous media. They help to reduce or prevent associated deterioration such as corrosion of rebar, freeze-thaw, carbonation, or sulfate damage. These materials are not suitable for repairing badly damaged or deteriorated concrete, but they are suitable for sealing concrete surfaces and cracks in concrete that is in overall good condition.
Why are cracks and leaks treated separately?
They are treated separately from other concrete repair methods because they are significantly different from methods for thin or thick repairs. In many ways, properly repairing cracks and leaks can be the most difficult type of repair. In many Reclamation structures, if the concrete cracks, ...
What is stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete starts as a thin layer, typically 1/4 to 5/8 inch, of concrete that is applied to an existing slab, then is textured with a stamping tool to create the appearance of natural stone, tile, or brick. The concrete can be tinted or dyed, as with new concrete installations.
How long does it take for micro topping to cure?
Micro-topping treatments are made with very thin layers, no thicker than 1/8 inch, of polymer-modified concrete containing sand and are applied with trowels or brushes, depending on the final look desired. Because micro-toppings are so thin they are not self-leveling. They also dry very quickly, so the final texture is limited to how the micro-topping is applied over the concrete floor. The treated surface can cure in a day, and usually can be walked on within 36 to 42 hours of being applied.
How to fix cracks in concrete?
With a small paintbrush, coat the crack surface with concrete bonding adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.
How to fix a crack in a drywall wall?
Directions. With a wire brush, clean the crack. Sweep away any loose debris, then vacuum the crack. If grease, oil, or dirt remains in or near the crack, clean it thoroughly. With a cold chisel and large hammer, undercut the edges of the crack. This will help hold the patch in place.
How long does it take for a chip to fill?
Here's how to fill a crack 1/4- to 1/2-inch wide. For smaller cracks, follow these instructions. Difficulty: Easy. Time required: One to two hours.
Does concrete crack when resurfacing?
Tough as it is, concrete tends to develop small cracks and chips. Minor problems like this generally do not indicate any structural problems that require resurfacing, but it is best to tend to cracks as soon as possible. Once a small crack or chip appears, future wear and tear will only cause it to expand. Here's how to fill a crack 1/4- ...
Concrete Crack Repair
The technique for patching cracks will depend on the size of the crack.
Remove Paint From Concrete
Concrete is porous and absorbs paint well. Here are some recommendations for removing spilled paint.
What is the best product to repair spalled concrete floors?
Before we dig in, for those who don’t have time for the whole article on how to fix pitted concrete floors, here’s the TLDR! Our top pick to help with repairing spalled concrete floors is Rust-Oleum Concrete Resurfacer:
What is the best concrete resurfacer?
Best Concrete Resurfacer You Can Buy 1 Ideal for indoor/outdoor use to repair concrete cracks and holes in concrete 2 Two-part, industrial-strength epoxy permanently bonds concrete without shrinking or cracking 3 Fast curing product contains no unpleasant orders and allows concrete to be painted or coated in 8 hours 4 Creates an extremely hard surface that is stronger than concrete 5 Universal product works with any concrete coating
What to use to smooth trowel mix?
When it’s trowelled in, you can use a cement float to smoothen the mix, and feather it to the surface. There’s a cool industry trick to use Windex in spraying the float. This will prevent the trowel from sticking, and provide a nice, clean surface.
How to spread polymer cement?
Spread using a hand trowel or a metal-edged squeegee.
Why does concrete freeze?
Occurs usually because of cold climates, which subjects the concrete to something called a freeze-thaw cycle.
How long does epoxy take to harden?
Smooth it out using a putty knife or a trowel. In 24 hours your repair should be hard enough for grinding or sand flushing.
How deep should a garage be for spalling?
For a garage, the damage depth is most probably less than ¼ inches for spalling and ½ inches for pitting. More times than not, it’ll be less than that.
