Repairing Guides

how to repair the surface of concrete

by Abe Little Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Repair Concrete Corners

  1. Clean the Concrete. Remove any loose or damaged concrete from the area to be repaired. Clean the area with a wire brush and broom.
  2. Create a Concrete Repair Form
  3. Prepare and Apply the Concrete Patch
  4. Smooth the Patch
  5. Finish the Patch. Using a sledgehammer, break up the damaged area of the concrete into pieces. ...

Part of a video titled How to Make Thin Repairs to Damaged Concrete ... - YouTube
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Enough water should be used to saturate the surface. Although any standing water should be removedMoreEnough 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 trowel.

How to resurface concrete in 4 steps?

Steps in Surface Preparation

  1. This concrete resurfacing job requires expertise and training; therefore, it would be better to hire someone professional in doing this job.
  2. To mix the resurfacer, you first need to get it in a dry powder form. Pour water into the correct proportions and mix well.
  3. Once done with the resurfaced, you can fill the walkway joints now. ...

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How to make simple concrete repairs?

  • Chip out the edges of spalled/scaled or popout areas, and use a hose to clean out the area. ...
  • Mix up a batch of concrete repair mortar. ...
  • Place the mortar in the hole and smooth with a trowel. ...
  • When the patch begins to harden, brush it lightly with a damp brush for a better appearance.

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How do you resurface concrete?

  • Look for a power washer with a fan tip that reaches 3500 PSI to clean your concrete slabs.
  • If you don’t have access to a power washer, you can get an attachment for your garden hose.
  • Cleaning your concrete makes the resurfacer adhere better.

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

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How do you restore a concrete surface?

0:334:28How to Resurface Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipResurfacer. Old concrete must be rigorously clean to ensure proper adhesion of the new surface.MoreResurfacer. Old concrete must be rigorously clean to ensure proper adhesion of the new surface.

How do you repair the top layer of concrete?

1:332:47Concrete Surfaces Spalling - Sherwin-Williams - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipH&C concrete ready quick patch and repair can be top coated with a variety of stains sealers.MoreH&C concrete ready quick patch and repair can be top coated with a variety of stains sealers.

What is the best product to repair concrete?

The patches leave no trace: DIYers can tool them to blend in with the rest of the surface.BEST OVERALL: Red Devil 0644 Pre-Mixed Concrete Patch.RUNNER-UP: Damtite 04072 Concrete Super Patch Repair.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Quikrete #862013 5.5 Oz Concrete Repair.BEST FOR FLOORS: Henry, W.W. Co.More items...•

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.

Can you skim concrete over concrete?

Skim coating over concrete is not only possible, but it is much cheaper than replacing your concrete surfaces. By opting for a skim coat, you will strengthen your existing concrete surfaces and enhance their durability, thus giving you more time to come up with a big enough budget for replacement.

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 you bond concrete to concrete?

On its own, concrete doesn't easily bond. Concrete is very heavy and has immense compressive strength, but it has no qualities that naturally bond to other materials. If you want to bond wet concrete to dry concrete, you'll need a boding agent like Liquid Nails or another construction adhesive.

How do you get cement to stick to concrete?

To encourage adhesion between the concrete and the other substance, you'll need to use a bonding adhesive. After prepping the surface, use a brush, broom, roller or sprayer to apply the bonding agent. Depending on what kind you get, it will keep moisture out and resist wear and tear from traffic.

Can I use mortar to repair concrete?

Paradoxically, concrete surfaces cannot be repaired with concrete — the coarse gravel aggregate in the new concrete would prevent a strong bond between the patch and the surrounding area. Instead, it's best to use mortar or commercial epoxy or latex-patching compounds designed for concrete repairs.

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 long does quikrete concrete resurfacer last?

This new layer is specially made to adhere to the old concrete. It's extremely durable while being relatively thin and can last 10-20+ years if properly installed by a Pro and cared for. So yes it can last. Concrete resurfacing provides a like new finish at an affordable price.

How do you seal crumbling concrete?

A way to prevent this is with the use of a penetrating concrete sealer. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent crumbling and flaking. Penetrating sealer comes in many forms but most have several things in common. They don't alter the appearance of the slab and they have a long effective life span.

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.

Does concrete resurfacing really work?

That begs the question, “does concrete resurfacing last?” The short answer is, “yes.” If there are no issues with the underlying foundation the resurfacing agent pours onto, then the new material will last. It bonds to the foundation, creates a seal, and leaves you with a brand-new concrete driveway.

How do you repair a damaged slab?

Repair methods and solutionsCommon ways to repair a slab are to surface fill or inject with epoxy or polyurethane. Filling and bonding the slab back together with a high strength epoxy is a great way to seal the crack.

How do you fix crumbling concrete foundation?

1:133:14How to Repair a Crumbling Foundation Video 1 of 3 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYeah you know i can scrape that paint because we don't want to put the new cement mixture and stuccoMoreYeah you know i can scrape that paint because we don't want to put the new cement mixture and stucco mixture on top of the paint because then the panel peels. And it'll peel the patch.

What is a micro topping?

Micro-topping treatments are made with very thin layers, no thicker than 1/8 inch, of polymer-modified concrete containing sand and are applied with trowels or brushes , depending on the final look desired. Because micro-toppings are so thin they are not self-leveling.

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 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;

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.

What causes concrete to flake off?

Here are just a few things that can go wrong with concrete that can cause spalling and cause the surface to flake off: The concrete can be mixed with too little Portland cement, or too much water can be added. Also, water added during the finishing process can dilute the amount of Portland cement in the top layer of the concrete.

What is concrete made of?

Concrete is simply artificial rock. Three of the 4 ingredients in basic concrete are or were rock at one point. The aggregate is made up of small stones. The sand is made from thousands of tiny pieces of rock in almost all cases. (Some sand is crushed seashells, but this is rare.) The Portland cement is powdered rock, primarily limestone and shale. The only ingredient that's not rock is water. You need the water to ignite the chemical reaction that transforms the powdered Portland cement back into solid rock again.

How thick is stucco paint?

It's important to immediately cover the wet cement paint with the stucco mix. Concrete overlays can range in thickness from 1/8-inch to two inches. As the overlay gets thicker, you need to increase the size of the sand being used.

Does de-icing salt cause concrete to spall?

There's a misconception that de-icing salts ruin concrete and cause it to spall. The evidence does not support this. You undoubtedly have seen lots of concrete sidewalks, floors and patios that have had de-icing salt spread on them for years, and yet there's no spalling.

Is Portland cement a rock?

The Portland cement is powdered rock, primarily limestone and shale. The only ingredient that's not rock is water. You need the water to ignite the chemical reaction that transforms the powdered Portland cement back into solid rock again. Advertisement.

Does epoxy peel in places?

You hope the epoxy will hold and won’t peel in places. You hope you’ll do everything right during the installation process — a process you’ve never done before, I might add! You might create a new surface that requires more work to keep looking nice than your plain-vanilla concrete slab.

Is concrete a rock?

Concrete is simply artificial rock. Three of the 4 ingredients in basic concrete are or were rock at one point. The aggregate is made up of small stones. The sand is made from thousands of tiny pieces of rock in almost all cases.

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.

What is resurfacing concrete?

Resurfacing means pouring a thin layer of concrete resurfacer over the top of your existing slabs to hide cracks and make it look brand new. Besides being more cost-effective than replacing the slab, you can resurface your concrete in a single day.

How many square feet does a bag of concrete resurfacer cover?

A bag of concrete resurfacer covers about 90 square feet (8.4 m 2 ).

How much water to mix with resurfacer?

The amount of resurfacer you need depends on how many cracks and holes you need to fill. Start by mixing 1 cup (240 ml) of water with 3 1⁄2 pounds (1.6 kg) of resurfacer mix.

How do I clean a concrete slab?

Use a power washer to remove dirt and loose concrete. Plug the power washer in, connect it to a water source, and turn on the machine using the switch. Hold the end of the power washer 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) from the surface of the concrete and pull the trigger to shoot out water. Use back and forth strokes to clean all of the concrete completely. Focus on areas where concrete is loose or deteriorating.#N#Look for a power washer with a fan tip that reaches 3500 PSI to clean your concrete slabs.#N#If you don’t have access to a power washer, you can get an attachment for your garden hose.#N#Cleaning your concrete makes the resurfacer adhere better.

How to make a resurfacer with a drill?

Mix 1 part water with 7 parts resurfacer using a drill and paddle attachment. Pour the resurfacer powder into a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket, then add the water. Use a paddle attachment on a corded drill to mix the resurfacer. Keep mixing the resurfacer until it has a thick consistency like cookie dough.

How long does it take for a driveway to resurface?

Pull the weather stripping out from the joints between your slabs. If you resurfaced a driveway or area with vehicle traffic, wait 24 hours before driving over it.

Can you mix resurfacer with a barrel drum?

If you don’t have a misting attachment for your hose, you’ll just have more water to brush off at the end. Resurfacer cannot be mixed by hand or in a barrel drum since it will not reach the right consistency.

What causes concrete to spalt?

Over the course of a winter, or over the course of years, as the internal pressure rises and falls, it stresses the surface layer of the concrete, which leads to spalling. The fix typically involves nothing more than applying ...

What is Rapid Set Newcrete?

Specially formulated to restore lackluster concrete, resurfacing products like Rapid Set NewCrete ( available from The Home Depot) make it quick and easy for homeowners to address spalling on their own, without having to hire a contractor. The resurfacing material simply spreads over the existing, spalled concrete surface to create a fresh, flawless finish.

Does Newcrete require primer?

NewCrete in particular stands out, because it simplifies and speeds up the process. For one thing, it rarely requires the use of primer.

Can you mist a driveway with resurfacer?

In especially dry, windy, or hot conditions, it may be necessary to mist the area while the resurfacer gains strength . But if you’ve chosen the right day for the project, you can apply resurfacer, drive off to do errands, and then return a little later and park your car on a pristine, perfectly smooth driveway.

What causes cracks in a slab?

In a basement environment, soil gases such as radon and moisture can migrate through these cracks and the excess moisture seeping through can lead to mold and mildew problems.

Is carbon fiber a permanent fix?

Solutions with carbon fiber, however, provide a more permanent fix as the material is used to repair, reinforce and strengthen not just the damage and crack itself, but the affected area resulting in a fail-proof solution.

Can concrete cracks be permanent?

Concrete slabs serve a variety of purposes, however when it comes to providing a permanent or lasting solution for cracks, options sometimes appear slim. Slab repairs are often overlooked and contractors may even shy away from discussing slab cracks due to the lack of permanent solutions. Concrete slabs can crack or damage for a variety ...

Do concrete slabs compromise structural integrity?

They do not compromise the structural integrity of the concrete around them and provide a permanent solution to slab crack control. Concrete slabs serve a variety of purposes and support requirements vary widely, making their quality and integrity vital.

Does concrete have tensile strength?

Some contractors repair concrete with more concrete, but this method only fills the crack and does not provide any tensile strength, only the bond strength, which is not strong enough to resist the typical movement. It’s important to add tensile strength across cracks with products like carbon fiber to resist this movement.

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