- Vacuum the porch with a utility vacuum cleaner, picking up all loose particles; pay special attention to the pits and cracks where particles collect.
- Apply painter’s tape on the siding where it meets the porch floor, and on any other areas that need protection from the resurfacing materials.
- Spray the concrete with water from a garden hose. Concrete resurfacer bonds better with a damp surface.
- Mix exterior-grade, cement-based concrete pitting and spalling resurfacer with water in a wheelbarrow or large bucket, depending on the size of the porch.
- Apply resurfacing compound in a puddle on the porch floor, beginning at an area that is as far from the steps or exit as possible.
- Spread the compound using a floor squeegee with a long handle. Drag the squeegee back and forth, working the compound into the pits and smoothing out ridges.
- Add compound to another pitted area of the porch and spread it with the squeegee, and continue in this way until the porch is coated.
- Pull the flat edge of a trowel around the sides of the porch, if necessary, to scrape off drips that have run over the edge.
- Cover the porch with plastic sheeting and allow the resurfacing compound to set for as long as the manufacturer recommends, which may be several hours or overnight.
- Remove the plastic sheeting once the compound has set, and mix a new batch of resurfacing compound. ...
- Cover the repaired concrete with plastic sheeting again, leaving it in place until the repair is set.
How much does it cost to replace a concrete porch?
Remodeling your porch costs $28 to $123 per square foot, plus the expense of hauling away debris. This includes $5 to $13 per square foot to demolish the old structure and $23 to $110 per square foot to build new.
How do I resurface my cement porch?
How to Resurface Worn Concrete
- Clean the Concrete. For surface preparation, wear heavy boots and protective glasses and blast off surface dirt with a gas-powered pressure washer that can reach at least 3,500 ...
- Patch Spalled Areas. While the concrete is damp, mix up enough resurfacer to fill any divots. ...
- Spread the Resurfacer. ...
- Trowel Out the Resurfacer. ...
How to refinish an old concrete porch?
What Can You Use to Resurface a Cement Front Porch?
- Resurfacing Compound. A basic concrete resurfacing compound applied to your existing porch covers cracks and imperfections, creating a renewed concrete look.
- Concrete Staining. A front porch that is in good condition with no structural damage can be resurfaced by concrete staining.
- Concrete Overlay. ...
- Interlocking Tiles. ...
How can I remove an old concrete porch?
Things You'll Need
- 8-pound sledge hammer
- Cold chisel
- Small sledge hammer to drive the chisel
- 4-inch diamond blade to make shallow cuts in concrete
- Hammer drill with a carbide masonry bit for drilling a series of holes to weaken the concrete, so you can break them with a sledge hammer
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
- Dust mask
Can you repair a crumbling concrete porch?
For patching and resurfacing, use products that contain portland cement, sand, and polymer or resin — plastic-type materials that help the new layer grip and make it more resistant to water absorption. You might need one product for patching and another for resurfacing.
How do you fix broken concrete porch?
Step 1: Remove the Loose Concrete. Remove any damaged or crumbling concrete. ... Step 2: Clean the Concrete. ... Step 3: Position the Concrete Patch Form. ... Step 4: Mix the Concrete Crack Sealer. ... Step 5: Smooth the Concrete Patch. ... Step 6: Finish the Patch. ... Step 1: Clean the Concrete. ... Step 2: Create a Concrete Repair Form.More items...
How do you restore a concrete porch?
3:2013:38Resurfacing Your Concrete Porch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPoint all right now we've stripped all the paint off the porch. And we could go ahead and apply theMorePoint all right now we've stripped all the paint off the porch. And we could go ahead and apply the nucret at this point if we really wanted to now the nucrete is a great product.
How do you fix a crumbling porch?
How to Fix a Crumbling Concrete Porch (and Tips for Preventing It From Happening Again)Solve Your Drainage Issues (Quickly) ... Consider If It's Just General Wear and Tear. ... Power Wash Your Porch (Then Keep Doing It Regularly) ... Seal Any Holes, Then Add A Layer of Concrete Paint. ... Reinforce Your Concrete Porch With A Steel Dowel.More items...•
Can you pour concrete over cracked concrete?
You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.
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 concrete porch be resurfaced?
Concrete patios with minor damage, but in otherwise good condition, can be transformed with concrete resurfacing. Instead of starting over with a new patio, you can upgrade its appearance and strength with a cement-based overlay. Your resurfaced concrete patio can be stamped, stained, or stenciled and have color added.
How do you update an old concrete porch?
6 Concrete Porch Transformation IdeasUnify your porch and steps with stamped concrete. ... Give a plain porch a decorative facelift. ... Engrave it to look like natural stone. ... Mimic brick with stamping or stenciling. ... Do a wood plank fake-out. ... Start over with a new porch design.
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.
How do you fix badly pitted concrete?
Steps:Assess the damage to the concrete surface. The first step is to determine the depth of damage. ... Clean and remove any loose material from the pitted concrete garage floor. Ensure that the area is clean and free of any debris. ... Prepare the concrete patch. ... Apply the concrete patch. ... Sealing the new concrete floor.
How do you repair a concrete surface?
2:334:13How to Make Thin Repairs to Damaged Concrete with QUIKRETEYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe surface of the patch. So that it is level with the surrounding concrete avoid adding water toMoreThe surface of the patch. So that it is level with the surrounding concrete avoid adding water to the surface of the patch. The additional water can cause surface color inconsistencies.
What is mudjacking concrete?
Mudjacking uses a thinned-out mixture of concrete. As this concrete slurry fills the void underneath the concrete, it gradually lifts the slab. Like any other type of concrete, the filler needs time to set up and cure. This method is less expensive than slabjacking, but it’s also less permanent; like any other type of concrete, it can decay, ...
What is the foam used in slabjacking?
Slabjacking uses a polyurethane foam. Once the foam is injected, the chemical reaction promptly begins. It’s this reaction that causes the foam to expand and lift. This foam solidifies within a few minutes and does not decay.
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.
How hot should concrete be for a patio?
For most patch materials, both the air and the concrete must be between 50 F and 90 F.
What is spalling concrete?
Much like peeling paint, spalling concrete tends to introduce moisture and lead to more spalling. A concrete resurfacer that pours on and spreads out with a squeegee, trowel, or broom is the best way to repair these large, shallow areas. Consider covering your patio. Solid roofing or canopies that prevent moisture from gathering on ...
What tool do you use to press a backer rod?
If you reach sections where it is difficult to press the rod with your fingers, use a blunt tool such as a paint stirring stick, since sharper tools like screwdrivers may pierce the rod. Make sure that the backer rod is firmly in place before proceeding to the next step.
Can you repair a crack in a concrete patio?
In some cases, one side of the crack rises higher than the other side—a condition called lippage that can lead to trips and falls. When cracks get out of control, the only recourse is to demolish and rebuild your patio. Cracks in a concrete patio can be repaired quickly with simple methods and inexpensive materials.
Can elastomeric filler be used on concrete?
Such elastomeric fillers have the benefit of allowing the concrete to slightly shift over time while maintaining structural stability. While the patch will always be noticeable to some degree, you can minimize its visual impact by choosing a filler that closely matches the color of your patio.
Can you use liquid crack filler?
It is not desirable to use the liquid crack filler for deep areas as this extends curing time, can result in sinking filler, and adds to the overall cost of the project. One way to add solid filler is to dispense clean sand by hand through a funnel.
Can ice melt damage a patio?
Whether your patio is cracked and in need of repair or has already been repaired, take these measures to make sure that winter elements do not damage your patio. Make sure that all cracks are sealed or remain sealed since freeze-thaw events can easily widen cracks. Ice melt, or de-icers, can potentially harm concrete.
What is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch?
Deck framing is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch. Before about 1860, deck frames were often built of large logs called “sleepers.”. These sturdy logs were hewn flat on one or two sides, with one of the flat side facing up to act as floor joists.
What is a good porch?
A good porch starts with good footings. While the earliest porches were built on large stones set deep into the ground or full masonry piers of fieldstone or brick, contemporary building codes call for footers of poured concrete.
How thick are porch floor boards?
Historically, porch floorboards were milled from vertical grain 5⁄4″ tongue-and-groove Douglas fir, which meant they were fully 1″ thick. The ends were often shaped in a half-round bullnose by an onsite carpenter, the better to shed water. After World War II, board thicknesses shrank to ¾”, and the ends were typically square-cut, both compromises in terms of the expected lifespan of the wood.
Why ventilate skirting under porch?
Ventilation is crucial for preventing dampness, which can attract wood-eating insects and encourage decay. “You want the bugs to crawl in,” says Andrew Curtis, an exterior restoration specialist, “and you want them to crawl back out.”. It is crucial to ventilate skirting underneath porches to avoid decay.
What are the elements that make up a porch?
If not kept in good repair using water-resistant materials and strategically applied coats of paint, the key elements of a porch—floors, framing, posts, railings, and decorative elements —will deteriorate quickly.
Do porch posts support roof framing?
Whether turned or chamfered, porch posts support the roof-framing system (a topic for another story) and act as anchors for attached railings. If they’re made of old-growth wood and positioned correctly, they should last indefinitely—provided they are properly ventilated.
