How to Resurface and Repair a Cracked and Pitted Driveway
- Power Wash. First, power wash the entire surface. ...
- Fill Cracks and Holes. Fill all cracks and large holes with concrete patch or the material you're using to resurface the driveway.
- Use Expansion Cracks as Guides. Protect the existing expansion cracks with weather stripping. ...
- Mix and Apply Resurfacer. ...
What are my options for repairing a concrete driveway?
- Many concrete crack fillers, sometimes called masonry crack fillers, are designed for cracks up to 1/4-inch wide. ...
- The use of a concrete backer rod is recommended for cracks wider than 1/4-inch, since these cracks are usually deep. ...
- Before you apply the new filler, break up any old concrete patch materials with a hammer or masonry chisel .
How to resurface pitted concrete?
- Keeping the water cold will slightly increase the working time for the resurfacer.
- If your mixture is too thick, add 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of water at a time to loosen it. ...
- This will cover 45 square feet (4.2 m 2) of concrete, so adjust the amounts as necessary for the area you intend to resurface.
Should I resurface, repair, or replace my concrete driveway?
When it comes to fixing a driveway, your two options are generally either resurfacing it or replacing it entirely. However, there is a third option: patching it with a little extra concrete where necessary. If there’s only one hole or a surface-level crack, patching the concrete could be your best bet.
How to resurface a concrete driveway?
What’s the process for resurfacing a concrete driveway?
- Preparation and cleaning of the concrete surface. This step is all about creating an even concrete surface. ...
- Applying the base coat. A thin base coat is applied over the concrete and screeded till it’s level.
- Applying the resurfacing compound. ...
- Sealing of the surface. ...
Can you fix pitted concrete?
Once the surface begins to pit, filling the divots with concrete is usually a temporary fix that loosens over time. You can fill pits with a bonding concrete repair material, which is similar to caulk. Restoring the porch to a more original appearance requires dressing it with a special resurfacing concrete mixture.
How do you fill a pit in a driveway?
0:271:19How To Fill Driveway Pot Holes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing your chisel to ensure new filler material stays in place. Next use your trowel to apply theMoreUsing your chisel to ensure new filler material stays in place. Next use your trowel to apply the filler into the pothole. If it's deeper than two inches work in increments of two-inch layers.
Why is my concrete driveway pitting?
Too much water can wash away the soil supporting your concrete. Too little and it can cause the soil to shrink. And when water freezes and thaws over and over and over and over again, it can cause the surface of your concrete driveway to crack, pit, and crumble.
How do you fix a salt damaged concrete driveway?
3:5714:21How To Repair And Resurface Spalled, Salt Damaged ConcreteYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right so what i'm using for the patch material is ardex cd the cd stands for concrete dressing.MoreAll right so what i'm using for the patch material is ardex cd the cd stands for concrete dressing. And this is the same stuff i'm going to use to resurface.
How do you resurface a concrete driveway?
0:394:28How to Resurface Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concreteMoreBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concrete resurfacer that has been mixed to a triable consistency.
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.
Can a pitted driveway be fixed?
Over time, the driveway will deteriorate beyond just cracking and pitting, and need to be replaced entirely. Resurfacing the driveway now is the best plan of action. It's a job you can do yourself, and for a lot less than what a new driveway costs.
How do you fix concrete divots?
2:244:15How to Fix a Chip in Concrete | A DIY Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou may have to take a little extra time to form the patch to follow the existing contours. FromMoreYou may have to take a little extra time to form the patch to follow the existing contours. From there once the patch compound has set up for about 20 minutes you can use a large grouting sponge.
How does concrete get pitted?
During a pour, if too much accelerator is used, used so the concrete sets before bad weather comes, it can cause a pitting to occur. The accelerator will force water to dry faster inside the concrete, and this creates the dimpled, pitted surface in driveway.
Can you resurface a cracked concrete driveway?
Concrete resurfacing to cover larger cracks or surface problems. Large cracks or holes greater than ¼”, spalling (horizontal peeling or chipping of the surface), and discoloration can be covered with resurfacing or a concrete overlay (a thin layer of cement-based material applied directly over the existing concrete).
What does spalling concrete look like?
Spalling concrete can look like round or oval depressions along surfaces or joints. Spalling tends to be most common in cold climates when de-icing chemicals are applied or when seasonal freeze-thaw cycles damage the concrete.
What neutralizes salt on concrete?
To remove salt stains, prepare a solution of 1 cup vinegar and a squirt of dish soap to every gallon of warm water. (Water alone won't work and may just move the salt around and re-deposit it). 3. Apply the vinegar mix to stains and scrub with a stiff brush or broom.
Step 1
Prepare the pits to be filled. This includes cleaning out any debris, loose rocks and dust. Loose materials in the holes will make it harder for the new epoxies and concrete to adhere to the old cement. A wire brush works well to clean out the pits.
Step 2
Repair small holes and pits that are ½-inch or smaller in diameter with pre-mixed epoxy or latex repair products made specifically for concrete. These products can be purchased at your local home improvement store and are sold as kits or in a tube with a caulking gun application.
Step 3
Smooth the area you have repaired with a small trowel. If the epoxy has settled, leaving the patch lower than the surrounding concrete, you can repeat the procedure until it's flush with the rest of the area. Allow the patch to set undisturbed for at least a day.
Step 4
Prepare larger pits and cracks by using a chisel to chip away at the bottom of the pits. You want the bottom of the holes to be slightly wider than the top. This will ensure a long lasting repair as concrete shrinks and expands as it cures and over time. After chiseling, clean the area as described for smaller pits.
Step 5
Mix your concrete per the instructions on your bag of cement. Only mix as much concrete as you need, it dries fast in small batches and you don't want it to start hardening before you've finished patching your pits.
Step 6
Slowly pour the concrete mixture into the holes. You will want to pour the concrete in a series of small applications. Use a trowel after each pour to smooth the new concrete. Slowly build the concrete until it is flush with the surrounding cement and trowel the area one last time.
Step 7
Stake off the patched area for at least three days. Keep the area damp but not wet. Do this by sprinkling the area with water and covering it with a plastic sheet while the concrete cures.
How long will concrete resurfacer last?
A properly resurfaced floor can last from 8-15 years.
What is the best concrete resurfacer?
The best concrete resurfacing material is the Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer (No 1131). The QUIKRETE® Concrete Resurfacer (No. 1131) is a special blend of Portland cement, sand, polymer modifiers and other additives.
Can a concrete driveway be resurfaced?
RE-CAP ™ Concrete Resurfacer will renew your old, worn concrete driveways, sidewalks and patios at a fraction of the cost to tear out and replace old concrete slabs.
What does spalling concrete look like?
Spalling concrete can look like round or oval depressions along surfaces or joints. Spalling tends to be most common in cold climates when de-icing chemicals are applied or when seasonal freeze-thaw cycles damage the concrete.
Should I pressure wash my driveway?
That is why most professionals agree that your driveway should be pressure washed at least once a year. This will keep the grime off the surface and you can keep washing it per your need and time over the year yourself, to keep it in the best shape.
Can you pour concrete on top of existing concrete?
There are situations when pouring new concrete isn’t the most suitable option. For instance, surfaces with larger cracks, heaving or settling conditions, or where height cannot be raised, replacement is a better solution. However, in most cases, you can pour a new layer of concrete onto the existing one.
Can you fix pitted concrete?
Smooth it out best you can with a putty knife or margin trowel. Within 24 hours the repair will be hard enough to grind or sand flush. For larger areas of pitting and spalling, we recommend using a 100% epoxy concrete patch with a sand aggregate. Once cured, these repairs are actually stronger than the concrete.
1. Assess the damage to the concrete surface
The first step is to determine the depth of damage. If it's less than ½ inch deep, you can use a concrete parge to fill in the pitted areas of the concrete floor.
2. Clean and remove any loose material from the pitted concrete garage floor
Ensure that the area is clean and free of any debris. Use a broom or floor squeegee. This will help prevent dirt from getting into your newly poured concrete mix when it gets wet.
5. Sealing the new concrete floor
Once it's completely dried (and cured), you can seal your new concrete floor.
How long does it take to drive on a newly resurfaced driveway?
You should be able to drive on your newly resurfaced driveway in about 24 hours . Matt Smolsky has been writing for more than 25 years. He wrote news, sports and feature stories for the "Omaha World-Herald" and other publications and has continued on in direct marketing and general advertising.
What to use to clean oil stains on driveway?
You may need to use trisodium phosphate (TSP) and a stiff wire brush for stubborn oil stains. TSP can be purchased at home centers under a variety of brand names. Get all cracks as clear of debris as possible. Don't be too concerned if small pieces of the driveway come loose.
Can a cracked driveway be replaced?
Over time, the driveway will deteriorate beyond just cracking and pitting, and need to be replaced entirely.
What causes concrete to spalt?
Over the course of a winter, or over the course of years, as the internal pressure rises and falls, it stresses the surface layer of the concrete, which leads to spalling. The fix typically involves nothing more than applying ...
What is Rapid Set Newcrete?
Specially formulated to restore lackluster concrete, resurfacing products like Rapid Set NewCrete ( available from The Home Depot) make it quick and easy for homeowners to address spalling on their own, without having to hire a contractor. The resurfacing material simply spreads over the existing, spalled concrete surface to create a fresh, flawless finish.
Does Newcrete require primer?
NewCrete in particular stands out, because it simplifies and speeds up the process. For one thing, it rarely requires the use of primer.
Can you mist a driveway with resurfacer?
In especially dry, windy, or hot conditions, it may be necessary to mist the area while the resurfacer gains strength . But if you’ve chosen the right day for the project, you can apply resurfacer, drive off to do errands, and then return a little later and park your car on a pristine, perfectly smooth driveway.
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.
