
If your concrete is spalling, these are the repair options:
- Patch the spalled area with a color matching compound
- Have your concrete resurfaced with an overlay
- Rip out and replace the entire slab
How to refinish your garage floor?
- Prepare and Repair – If your garage floor concrete surface has an existing coating or treatment, we start by removing the old finish. ...
- Clean and Prime – We mop and let your concrete slab thoroughly dry. ...
- Mix Product – Following instructions, we will mix the concrete refinisher to prepare it for application. ...
How to fix a pitted garage floor?
How to Repair a Pitted Garage Floor
- Cleaning. Clean the garage floor. ...
- Prep. Fix major floor blemishes before you apply the new finish coat. ...
- Application. Some floor solutions require you to apply a coat of primer first with a paint roller. ...
- Finishing. Since concrete shrinks as it dries and cures, check the new surface periodically to see if you need to apply a second coat.
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 spalling?
Required Tools for this Project
- Bull float
- Circular saw
- Concrete edger
- Drill/driver - cordless
- Garden hose
- Hammer
- Knee pads
- Paintbrush
- Power washer
- Pry bar

How do you fix spalling concrete floors?
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.
What is the best product for spalling concrete?
Quikrete Re-Cap Concrete Resurfacer is a polymer-modified Portland cement product that's specially designed for making thin layer repairs and restoring the appearance of concrete. You can apply it on spalling concrete as thin as a sixteenth of an inch or as thick as one-half inch.
How do you repair a crumbling concrete garage floor?
Clean the slab and fill deep holes and cracksClean 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.
Why is my garage floor spalling?
Spalling occurs when moisture works its way into the concrete. After repeated moisture expansion and contraction due to freeze-thaw cycles, concrete will then crumble. Road salts may also contribute to spalling. Unlike pitting, spalling typically occurs in localized spots.
Will spalling concrete get worse?
Unfortunately, these are safety hazards and could lead to injury. They should be taken care of as soon as you notice that they are crumbling or spalling because it will only get worse from that point, it will not get better!
Can you put a thin layer of concrete over concrete?
Is it okay to pour concrete over existing concrete? Yes, you can put new concrete over old concrete providing there are no issues such as significant cracks of frost heaves with your existing concrete. A new layer of concrete should be about two inches to ensure an even, strong coverage.
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.
How do you repair salt damaged concrete garage floor?
Mix 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water and then add a squirt of dish soap. Apply the vinegar solution to the salt stains and let it sit for 5 minutes to penetrate. After 5 minutes, add a little more solution and scrub the stain with a deck brush. Use a wet vac to pull the salty solution out of the concrete.
Can I use self leveling concrete in a garage?
Self-leveling concrete is perfect for basements or garages because it's resistant to mold growth. It also dries incredibly quickly. Your work will be completed faster and with less risk of someone accidentally stepping in it.
Can you seal spalling concrete?
Spalling - Causes, Prevention, Repair To prevent spalling, you need a hi-grade seal and cure which can allow the concrete to breath and but yet protect it - especially during that first critical year. V-SEAL is a HI-TECH deep penetrating sealer and cure that easily passes the ASTM one hundred day freeze/thaw test.
Can a crumbling garage floor be repaired?
So this is another way water seepage is putting stress on the concrete and especially the weaker cement layer and breaking it down. The concrete is crumbling, very slowly but most definitely. Stopping water from entering the concrete pores is a way to fix the crumbling concrete garage floor.
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.
How do you stop concrete spalling?
As weather changes, the concrete expands, causing it to spall, which leads to further deterioration. One technique that can prevent concrete from spalling is to apply a good water sealant to the finished surface to prevent water from entering into the concrete.
How do you fix salt damaged concrete?
0:1214:21How To Repair And Resurface Spalled, Salt Damaged ConcreteYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right so the first thing we got to do is remove that damaged concrete. Now for me i find theMoreAll right so the first thing we got to do is remove that damaged concrete. Now for me i find the best way to do it is just with a little four inch grinder and a vacuum.
How do you fix a crumbling concrete driveway?
1:084:15Extreme How To - Patching and Repairing Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy design vinyl concrete patcher is a stiff mix. It's best to keep the trowel clean and dry whileMoreBy design vinyl concrete patcher is a stiff mix. It's best to keep the trowel clean and dry while applying the mix. This prevents the mix from curing on the tools.
Why is top layer of concrete flaking off?
Damage will show up when the concrete is exposed to ice or snow which then melts and penetrates into the concrete and freezes. Frozen water expands about 10%, pushing the thin, weak top layer upwards causing the layer to peel off (known as spalling).
How do I install a rocking groover on a semi hard concrete floor?
Divide the floor evenly into 2- to 3-square-yard sections and snap horizontal and vertical chalk lines on the semi-hard surface to act as visual border guidelines during the grooving process. Place the center line of a long-handle rocking groover on each chalk line in turn, and run the groover back and forth along the chalk lines to cut horizontal and vertical control joint grooves in the damp concrete.
Why is my garage floor flaking?
Spalling or concrete surface failure on a garage floor is caused by residual water in the concrete expanding and contracting during freeze-thaw cycles. The initial signs of surface flaking usually occur during the first winter or after harsh, wet winter weather. Deicing chemicals picked up on the highway drip off your car, magnifying the problem by causing additional water saturation. Do-it-yourself concrete resurfacing is a straightforward process, but preparation is the most important step.
How to apply cementitious primer?
Use a spray applicator and apply a generous coat of polymer modified cementitious micro-topping primer to approximately 3 square yards of surface at a time. Spread the liquid evenly with a wide soft-bristle broom until the area is covered with an even layer of primer. Proceed to the next step before the primer dries and while the surface is still tacky.
Can you rent a power washer for concrete?
You can rent a suitable vibrating concrete power washer, power mixer and specialized concrete tools from a reputable industrial equipment rental outlet.
Why Does Spalling Happen to a Garage Floor?
Spalling is a de-layering of the concrete surface that happens over time.
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.
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.
What does spalling damage?
Spalling damage starts below the concrete surface. Not all damaged areas may be visible. If you want to properly fix a floor damaged by spalling, you want to look for areas around the visible damage that may be weak enough to break free on their own.
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 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 do before fixing spalling?
Before fixing spalling or pitting, check for water issues that might require professional help to fix. There’s no point in fixing a concrete problem that will just come back. Here are some signs of potential water problems:
Why is my driveway spalling?
Common mistakes include adding too much water to the mix, to make it easier to pour; sprinkling the surface of the concrete with water, to extend finishing time; and not curing the concrete properly after installation.
How to smooth concrete?
Smooth the surface with a bull float, round the edges along the forms with an edger, and finish the surface with a finishing broom. Timing is the secret to getting a nice finish. Use the bull float immediately, but wait until the concrete stiffens before using the edger and broom. All the tools you need are available at most rental stores. Cover the finished concrete with plastic for five days or spray it with a curing compound.
What is it called when a concrete driveway is flaking?
Is the surface of your concrete driveway, patio or basement floor flaking away? Do the patches get bigger and more numerous each spring? The problem is called concrete spalling, and here's how to fix it—without replacing the entire driveway.
How to make a cement wheelbarrow?
Mix one part Type 1 Portland cement and one part fine sand by volume. Add water until the mixture is the consistency of thick paint, then brush it on the damp concrete. Before that dries, mix three parts fine sand and one part Portland cement in your wheelbarrow with enough water to make the mix the consistency of thick oatmeal.

Get Rid of Concrete Spalling by Resurfacing The Concrete
How to Resurface Your Spalling Concrete Driveway
- Here’s the short course on how to install a concrete overlay: Stake 1×2 furring strips along the edges of the driveway or patio, keeping them 1/2 in. above the existing surface. “Picture frame” the section by nailing 1/2-in. plywood strips, flat to the concrete, along the control joints. Mix one part Type 1 Portland cement and one part fine sand by volume. Add water until the mixture is th…
Required Tools For This Project
- Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration. 1. Bull float 2. Circular saw 3. Concrete edger 4. Drill/driver - cordless 5. Garden hose 6. Hammer 7. Knee pads 8. Paintbrush 9. Power washer 10. Pry bar 11. Safety glasses 12. Sawhorses 13. Screw gun 14. Shovel 15. Speed square 16. Stiff-bristle pushbroom 17. Table sa…
Required Materials For This Project
- Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list. 1. 1/2-in. plywood strips 2. 1x2 furring strips 3. 2x4 leveling board 4. Concrete nails 5. Type 1 Portland cement 6. Wooden stakes