how to repair crumbling concrete patio

Pitiful Patio? 5 Ways to Rescue a Deteriorating Concrete Patio.

• 1. Fill and seal common concrete cracking with a caulk-based crack repair product. More than likely, your concrete patio has a few cracks in its ...
• 2. Straighten out crumbling corners with a concrete cleaner and patching compound.
• 3. Dress up an older, unattractive space by covering your patio with pavers.
• 4. Create a smooth, fresh surface atop your patio by resurfacing the slab.
• 5. Repair and seal expansion joints to keep them working as designed.

Full Answer

How do you fix crumbling concrete?

Rub the bristles of a stiff scrub brush over the edges of the crumbling area to remove loose concrete and dirt. Spray these areas with water from a garden hose on high pressure. Allow the concrete to dry completely for 24 hours. Apply a thin coat of concrete bonding agent over each of the crumbling areas, using a medium to large paintbrush.

Can a crumbling concrete porch be repaired?

- Lansdowne Life Crumbling concrete porch — repaired! My dad recently finished resurfacing our crumbling concrete porch! There’s still work to do, but the worst of the project is finally behind us. Our porch was cracked and crumbling. Luckily the damage was concentrated in one area: along the edge and near the steps.

How do you repair a damaged concrete patio?

Place a plastic tarp over the repaired areas so that they are completely covered. Allow the concrete to cure for one week under the tarp, lightly spraying the new concrete with water from a garden hose once a day.

How do you fix cracks in concrete slabs?

Apply a coat of the cement slurry mixture on your previously crumbled area, using a paintbrush. Ensure that the slurry covers the entire area and penetrates any cracks. Paint it on from different directions to cover the surface completely. Work quickly, and don't let the cement mixture dry.

Can you resurface crumbling concrete?

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 fix crumbled concrete?

1:305:16How To Repair Concrete | Pro Tips For Repairing Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAny 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.

How do you fix a crumbling patio?

Pitiful Patio? 5 Ways to Rescue a Deteriorating Concrete PatioFill and seal common concrete cracking with a caulk-based crack repair product. ... Straighten out crumbling corners with a concrete cleaner and patching compound. ... Dress up an older, unattractive space by covering your patio with pavers.More items...•

Why is my concrete patio crumbling?

“Concrete is like a rigid sponge,” Owens said, with “billions of bubbles” of air embedded in its structure. When water fills those voids and then freezes and thaws repeatedly, the expansion and thawing of ice makes concrete crumble. It also pushes paint off the surface.

What is it called when concrete crumbles?

Spalling is usually defined as the disintegration of the upper surface of a concrete slab. In most cases this failure extends down about 1/4 inch or less. When the upper finished surface of the concrete crumbles, you end up seeing the rougher stone aggregate that's a part of most concrete slabs.

Why did my concrete crumble?

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.

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 resurface an old concrete patio?

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 you concrete over 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.

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.

Can you repair a crumbling concrete porch?

The Cure for Crumbling Concrete Steps As long as the steps are structurally sound—meaning, they're not spalling, flaking, or broken all the way through—you can repair most surface issues.

Can I put pavers over concrete patio?

Fortunately, you can put pavers directly over existing concrete. It's a common practice and a great way to upgrade your concrete surfaces. While mortar is preferable when installing pavers, it's possible to put in the pavers without mortar (although it puts you at risk of drainage issues and cracking).

How do you repair mortar in a stone patio?

2:494:07How to Repair a Mortared Flagstone Walkway | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay john in order to blend the new mortar repair joint material into the old wok i brought you aMoreOkay john in order to blend the new mortar repair joint material into the old wok i brought you a mix of stone dust and sand i want you to take and sprinkle some right over the top of. It.

1. Fill and seal common concrete cracking with a caulk-based crack repair product

More than likely, your concrete patio has a few cracks in its surface. This happens for many reasons, including ground shifting, improper pouring conditions, and just the nature of concrete. But that does not mean you have to live with them just because these cracks are typical.

2. Straighten out crumbling corners with a concrete cleaner and patching compound

One of the most common patio issues facing homeowners is a chipped or crumbling corner. These corners deteriorate from age, water, and typical foot traffic. They start life as a sharp, attractive angle and wind up rounded over and crumbly. Luckily, there’s an easy solution to fix this on your own.

3. Dress up an older, unattractive space by covering your patio with pavers

Like anything else, patios become worn and dated. You can upgrade the look all together by covering your patio with pavers. While you might assume this is a pricey project that requires professionals, you can actually do this on your own!

4. Create a smooth, fresh surface atop your patio by resurfacing the slab

While they don’t rot, horizontal concrete surfaces are prone to pitting, spalling, and cracking. While covering the surface with pavers is always an option, a less expensive and easier route is to resurface the slab.

5. Repair and seal expansion joints to keep them working as designed

Not all cracks and gaps in concrete surfaces are bad. Expansion joints—the gaps created during installation between two concrete surfaces—are designed to allow the slabs to move, or give them somewhere to crack other than the field of the patio.

How long to wait to apply concrete?

Apply a layer of prepared concrete 3/8 inch thick with a pointed metal trowel. Smooth the surface of the new concrete with the face of the trowel. Wait two hours.

Who is Jourdan Townsend?

Jourdan Townsend has been writing since childhood. Her articles appear in a collection of student works at the University of Oklahoma as well as in the school's "Honors College Journal." Townsend also composes poetry, some of which can be found in an edition of the "Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans." Townsend holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

Can you use salt to de-ice concrete?

To prevent crumbling damage in the future, avoid placing heavy items along the edges of concrete structures and do not use salt to de-ice your concrete in cold weather. Advertisement.

How to patch crumbled concrete?

Cover the cement slurry with some of your concrete mixture. Push the concrete around with your flat metal trowel from different angles until you have patched the old crumbled area completely. Smooth the new concrete with a flat trowel until it mirrors your existing concrete. Let the mixture dry for 72 hours before you allow traffic on it.

How do I apply cement slurry to a concrete slab?

Apply a coat of the cement slurry mixture on your previously crumbled area , using a paintbrush. Ensure that the slurry covers the entire area and penetrates any cracks. Paint it on from different directions to cover the surface completely. Work quickly, and don't let the cement mixture dry. Apply more slurry if the initial coat starts to dry before you add your concrete.

How do I repair a crumbling concrete floor?

Remove all of the crumbling concrete by hand, and then use a floor scraper to loosen any pieces that might be partially stuck but not completely crumbled. Vacuum the area after you are done to completely clean it and prep it for repair.

What do I need to fix a concrete floor?

Things You'll Need. Fixing a concrete floor is fairly straightforward. Concrete contains cement, along with sand and water. The mixture is fairly straightforward, with the resulting product being one of the hardest construction materials known.

Is cement a product?

Cement is different from concrete, in that it is an ingredient, not a product. Ensure that you purchase actual cement for the slurry coat. Only pure cement will work as a bonding agent.