Repairing Guides

how to repair concrete floor

by Ms. Lyda Mosciski Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • 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 ...

Part of a video titled How To Repair Concrete | Pro Tips For Repairing Concrete
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Any loose debris from the damaged area with a wire brush and broom then you can use a caulk gunMoreAny loose debris from the damaged area with a wire brush and broom then you can use a caulk gun loaded with a masonry crack filler to fill the crack.

Full Answer

How to easily resurface a concrete floor?

  • Cement-based resurfacer
  • A 5-liter gallon bucket for mixing the products
  • Water for mixing overlay
  • A paddle mixer for mixing up the contents of water and cement resurfacer
  • Two pairs of hand trowels
  • A squeegee for applying the mixture on the floor
  • A soft-bristled broom for the finishing touch
  • Eye protection
  • Gloves
  • Gum-boots

How can I resurface this concrete floor?

  • Use a broom and a dustpan to remove any large debris before starting.
  • Sweep up any dust.
  • Use a shop vac if necessary.
  • Spray the floor with a 1:1 mixture of Neutra clean and water.
  • Wet the floor using a water hose.
  • Scrub it with a push broom.
  • Use the squeegee to push the water to the drain.

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How do you finish a concrete floor?

The typical process for a broom finish is:

  • Pour the slab
  • Strike off with a screed
  • Bull float
  • Wait for the bleed water to evaporate Although with low water-cement ratio exterior concrete with the proper amount of air, there might not be much bleed water. ...
  • Trowel There's some disagreement here. ...
  • Broom the surface Run a concrete broom perpendicular to the slope, if there is one. ...

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How do I hone my concrete floor?

  • The degree to which the concrete surface is cut
  • The level of clarity of the cut surface
  • The refinement of the concrete from one grit to the next
  • How well the floor is cleaned between each grit abrasive

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How do you repair an indoor concrete floor?

0:472:35How to repair a concrete floor - U-CAN Ready to Use ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipForce the concrete patch repair into the space squeezing out any air bubbles and level the surfaceMoreForce the concrete patch repair into the space squeezing out any air bubbles and level the surface of the concrete in line with the surrounding.

How do you resurface a damaged concrete floor?

0:454:28How 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 you patch a concrete floor with mortar?

Mortars cannot be used to level or patch a floor – ever!

How do you fix crumbling concrete floors?

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.

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.

Does concrete stick to old concrete?

Concrete does not adhere to: Concrete – Dried concrete doesn't have any natural bonding agents, so in order to get wet concrete to bond to existing concrete, a bonding agent will need to be used. Molds – Most concrete molds are made from urethane rubbers, which are designed to be resistant to concrete bonding.

How do you attach new concrete to old concrete?

You can join the new concrete right to the old concrete, this is called a concrete construction joint. The edge of the existing concrete that was sawed should be drilled and doweled so the new concrete won't separate, lift, or settle from the old concrete.

What is best to patch concrete?

For a bond strength that beats any standard repair concrete, the Damtite vinyl concrete patch is the best it gets. It is a self-bonding vinyl concrete that can be used on most concrete cracks, is able to build up the corner of steps, and will bond other materials such as tile and stone.

Do it yourself repair concrete?

2:334:13How to Make Thin Repairs to Damaged Concrete with QUIKRETEYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDampen the repair area with water. Enough water should be used to saturate the surface. Although anyMoreDampen the repair area with water. Enough water should be used to saturate the surface. Although any standing water should be removed vinyl concrete patcher should be built up in layers using a margin

What makes concrete floors crumble?

The most common cause of spalling is errors on the part of contractors. They either add additional water to the concrete as they finish it or they start to finish the concrete before the concrete bleed water leaves the surface of the concrete.

Why is my concrete falling apart?

If too much water is introduced to the mixture, the cement and sand cannot bond with each other and will instead fall apart. As the concrete starts to dry, this results in a crumbling area where the particles aren't sticking together.

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 much does self leveling concrete go down?

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. Self-leveling concrete can be divided into two main groups: underlayments ...

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 floor?

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;

How to fill a Large Hole with Concrete

Holes 1 inch or deeper require a concrete mix with coarse, crushed-stone aggregate, which bonds well with existing concrete. Shallower holes need a sand mix. Whichever type you use (they're both available at home centers), follow these steps.

Step 1: Use a hammer and a cold chisel to level the bottom of the hole

1. Use a hammer and a cold chisel to level the bottom of the hole and undercut its sides slightly so the patch can't pop loose.

Step 4: Level the patch

4. To burnish the surface very smooth, use a steel trowel (shown) on the final few passes

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- ...

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.

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, ...

Why do cracks occur in 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.

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 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 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

Why is my concrete putting in my garage?

Occurs due to a wide variety of reasons; like natural aging, improper finishing techniques, inadequate mixing or bad use of an accelerator. Pitting can cover large areas on your garage floor.

How to smooth out a sand patch?

Smooth it out using a putty knife or a trowel. In 24 hours your repair should be hard enough for grinding or sand flushing. 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.

What causes concrete to crumble?

Water deposits on the garage floor and makes its way into the concrete’s capillaries. The water freezes and subsequently expands into its surroundings, causing the surface to weaken, separate, and finally crumble. Spalling.

What is concrete spalling?

Concrete Spalling. Makes the floor’s surface crumble completely, or separate in several thin layers. Occurs usually because of cold climates, which subjects the concrete to something called a freeze-thaw cycle. Is more localized than concrete pitting. For concrete spalling, the damage occurs on a microscopic level.

Can you use fox spalling on concrete?

It can be used on anything concrete, so you can make use of it for pool decks, sidewalks, or even your entire patio! The instructions say one coat is enough to fox your spalling, but we recommend two coats to give your weathered concrete a new look. Overall, hard as nails and sticks like glue.

Can you repair a pitted concrete garage floor?

It’s because the idea of repairing it on your own seems intimidating. The truth is, repairing your garage floor isn’t very difficult, and you only need some guidance ...

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.

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.

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