3 Ways to Repair Pitted and Spalled Concrete
- Floor Resin. If you are using a resin that cures within 2 hours, it is recommended that you spread and level out the resin with a squeegee or steel trowel.
- Epoxy Floor Coating. Epoxy floor coating is the best solution for heavy traffic flooring. ...
- Floor Screed. Floor screed for heavy domestic/light industrial use. ...
- Cementitious Screed. ...
- Clean the slab and fill deep holes and cracks. Start with a clean floor. ...
- Remove the loose stuff. ...
- Concrete Floor Patch: Fill cracks, craters, divots and pits. ...
- Create a dam. ...
- Spread it smooth, then let it set.
How to resurface a concrete garage floor?
Method 3 Method 3 of 4: Paint the Surface Download Article
- Gather all the paint brushes, rollers and trays you need to paint. ...
- Mix the concrete epoxy paint. Concrete epoxy coating will come in 2 cans: an epoxy paint and a hardener.
- Paint the edges. Use a paint brush to paint the trim area around the entire garage or basement surface.
- Paint the floor using a roller brush. ...
How do you repair a concrete garage floor?
- Empty the garage. ...
- Demolish and remove the current flooring.
- Excavate deeper to reach solid ground.
- Repair the foundation or reinforce as necessary.
- Install a geotextile membrane.
- Set up a drain for the garage.
- Fill in the area with gravel (3/4”) and compact it.
- Put in place a vapor barrier.
- Install wire mesh or fiber mesh as reinforcement.
How to repair pits and cracks on concrete garage floor?
Mix and spread the resurfacer
- Mix like mad. Recruit a helper to mix the resurfacer while you spread it. ...
- Spread it smooth, then let it set. Spread from the middle of the puddle. ...
- Erase your mistakes. If you end up with ridges, shallow craters or squeegee marks, you don’t have to live with them forever.
How to repaint the garage floor?
Steps Download Article
- Clean your garage. This means power washing the outside and scrubbing the inside. ...
- Wear personal protective equipment. This means goggles and chemical resistant gloves and boots. ...
- Ventilate the garage. ...
- Mix a 3-1 solution of bleach and water to soak and scrub the floor. ...
Can pitted concrete be repaired?
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.
Can you epoxy over pitted concrete?
For larger areas of pitting and spalling, we recommend using a 100% epoxy concrete patch with a sand aggregate. The silica sand is mixed in with the epoxy to act as a filler.
Why is my garage floor pitting?
Pitting and spalling can both happen to bare concrete. Pitting is characterized by many small yet deep holes on the surface of the concrete. It's typically caused by one or more factors, such as the use of an inadequate concrete mix, improper finishing or years of wear. It can cover large areas of a garage floor.
How do you clean a pitted garage floor?
0:103:36Resurfacing a Garage Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see that the garage floor is very pitted. Clean the floor first with a push broom or aMoreYou can see that the garage floor is very pitted. Clean the floor first with a push broom or a blower. And clean up any oil spills with a detergent. Scrape up and remove any spills from paint or
Can you paint over pitted garage floor?
On a floor with a smooth finish, epoxies and concrete paints can protect it effectively, but these do not work as well on a pitted floor that is already started to deteriorate. If you simply want to keep down the dust, a “quick and dirty” paint job will likely help ... for a while.
How do you fix spalling garage floor?
0:402:47Concrete Surfaces Spalling - Sherwin-Williams - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll need a water source mixing bucket variable speed drill mixing paddle steel trowel safetyMoreYou'll need a water source mixing bucket variable speed drill mixing paddle steel trowel safety glasses and a respirator. Before getting started make sure the surface is clean dull dry.
How do you repair cracked pitted concrete?
4:165:52Concrete Floor Pitting Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we'll just use that margin trowel and just just start applying some of the mortar it doesn't needMoreSo we'll just use that margin trowel and just just start applying some of the mortar it doesn't need to be perfect at this point it really is about getting it to fill with the pitting.
Is it worth it to epoxy garage floor?
Epoxy flooring protects the underlying concrete from moisture, stains, grease and cracks. In the long run, this can save you a great deal on cleaning and maintenance costs by eliminating the need to clean carpet or grout. It's also very reasonably priced for the duration and level of protection that it offers.
What is concrete pitting?
Concrete pitting is when the surface of a concrete structure begins to deteriorate. It's defined by a cluster of small holes that appear on the surface of the concrete. It's an extremely common problem in construction that occurs because of a problem with the way the concrete was produced.
Can you skim coat a garage floor?
Once the moisture blocker has dried Ardex CD Fine can be used to skim coat the entire garage floor surface. This material can be mixed fairly loose and goes down as fine as 1/32 of an inch. Use a hand trowel or squeegee and work your way from back to front.
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.
How do you make concrete look new again?
3 Ways to Make Old Concrete Look New AgainPower Wash. Over time, your concrete will accumulate grime and dirt. ... Resurface. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to improve your curb appeal, resurfacing your concrete steps and driveway is a great way to start. ... Add Stain or Sealing Coats. ... Revive Your Old Concrete.
How long does it take to resurface a garage floor?
Cleaning and resurfacing the floor usually takes one day (on the other hand, clearing out your garage so you can work may take weeks!). Spreading the resurfacer smoothly is the trickiest part of the project, so it helps to have some experience with concrete or drywall finishing.
How much does a concrete resurfacer cost?
Concrete “resurfacer” is a cement-based coating that forms a smooth, new surface right over the old concrete. The cost of resurfacer for a two-car garage is typically less than $200.
How long to let resurfacer sit in bucket?
Take two minutes to read the directions before mixing. The key to a smooth, lump-free mix is to let the resurfacer 'slake,' that is, sit in the bucket for a few minutes after the initial mixing.
Can you use a stripper to remove sealer from concrete?
Important: If you find that the cleaner doesn’t soak into the concrete but just beads up into droplets on the surface, you have a sealer over the concrete that you’ll need to remove. In that case, apply a stripper first to remove the sealer, then clean.
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.
Why does concrete pit?
Pitting can be caused by temperature changes, frost, concrete additives, and application mistakes. Pitting is not usually a sign of a deeper moisture issue. But if such a problem exists, pitting repairs will fail.
What is a spalling garage floor?
Concrete floor spalling is a garage floor problem where the thin top layers of concrete separate from the rest of the surface. The layers come off in small sheets or flat little chunks. Concrete floor pitting is where the concrete has lots of small holes. How do you fix concrete garage floor spalling and pitting?
What is spalling in concrete?
Spalling is a de-layering of the concrete surface that happens over time. Spalling areas in a garage floor. Moisture works its way into the concrete. Concrete expands and contracts with the freeze-thaw cycle. Extreme temperatures and exposure to de-icing salts work their magic to damage the concrete.
How to mix epoxy resin?
With two-part epoxy, you mix together resin and a hardener. Three-part epoxy includes resin, a hardener and an aggregate or sand. When mixing epoxy, you must measure carefully. You must mix well. And you must use the mixture quickly. Plan ahead. Only mix what you will need for the next part of the project. Give yourself less time than the instructions indicate. It is better to mix smaller batches more often than to throw away expensive product that became too hard to work with.
How to repair spalling on plastic sheeting?
If you suspect a moisture problem you can do this simple test. Take a piece of 16”X16” (16” square) plastic sheeting and tape down the sides with duct tape against the floor. Wait 24 hours. If there is a dark spot where moisture accumulated, or if there is water on the underside of the plastic, then there is probably a moisture problem that requires professional attention. If it’s dry then it’s OK to repair the spalling.
What to do if a plastic sheet test came back positive?
If the plastic sheet test came back positive for moisture, you will then want to get a calcium chloride moisture kit. The idea is simple. The kit includes a Petri dish containing a pre-measured weight of calcium chloride. Place it under a plastic sheet (essentially a repeat of the previous test).
What to use for crack repair?
Use polymer cement for crack repair and concrete resurfacing. Be sure to fill any cracks first and then resurface the larger, shallower surfaces. If the damage has deep pockets in a larger shallow area, you might mix two batches. One batch will be thicker for the deep repair.
What to use for small cracks in concrete?
When dealing with small cracks and pits, (less than 1/8-inch wide), it's recommended to use a polyurethane/polyurea polymer. Some floor solutions require you to pre-soak the floor with water, while others require you to apply a coat of primer first with a paint roller. You should follow the manufacturer guidelines. Then, you should mix the resurfacing solution and pour it directly onto the concrete floor.
Why does concrete crack?
It can be the result of one or a combination of factors like thermal contraction, drying shrinkage, and pressure build up at certain points. Pitting, on the other hand, can occur from natural aging, climatic conditions, and abuse or misuse.
What is a crack in concrete?
Cracks are splits or openings in the concrete floor surface. They run from a hairline to a few inches wide. Pits, on the other hand, are random small, deep holes with jagged edges. At times, pitting can cover large areas of the concrete floor. There are three main types of cracking, including shrinkage cracking, structural cracking, ...
Why is my garage concrete cracking?
Concrete pitting and cracking can be caused by a number of factors, including problems while curing, poorly mixed concrete or water gaining access inside the concrete. Pitting and cracking can also be caused by chemicals being allowed to sit on the surface of the concrete for too long.
How do I clean a concrete patio?
Wash the concrete thoroughly using a hose with a power washer attachment. Any remaining dirt or chemicals will cause more pitting and cracking, so it is essential to clean the surface completely. Allow the area to dry completely.
How do I remove a piece of concrete that is loose?
If a piece of concrete wiggles but won’t come loose, use a hammer and chisel to gently tap it out of place.
How can I keep my garage from splattering?
1. Tape or nail tarps or dropcloths over the walls of the garage to protect against splatter. Remove anything from the garage that you want to keep clean or anything that might get in the way, such as cars and freestanding shelves.
How long does it take for a resurfacer to dry?
Allow the resurfacer to dry for at least 24 hours before walking or driving on it. If any spots need additional coverage, mix a small batch and apply it using a small trowel.
How to repair pitting in concrete?
The resurfacer should not spread over healthy areas. Create a dam to prevent staining healthier concrete with the repair mortar. Stick a weatherstrip with glue all around the edges of the repair area.
How do I clean a garage floor?
Start with cleaning the garage surface. Wash the surface with water and grease, cutting household detergent. Soak up a fresh oil spill with granulated cat litter before sweeping. Scrub the floor thoroughly with a stiff brush. Rinse with clean water from a pressure washer. Observe the floor when cleaning. If the water forms small droplets on the surface, then your floor has a concrete sealer. Apply a stripper. For more stubborn stains, elbow grease or hydrogen peroxide will go a long way. Use muriatic acid for rust stains.
