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HomeBuildHow To Cover Cracked Concrete Patio

How To Cover Cracked Concrete Patio

Factors Influencing The Cost Of A Patio

How to repair your Cracked Conrete and make your Patio look NEW!
  • Patio sizeTypically the price per square foot goes down as the patio gets bigger. Alternatively, for small patios, some contractors charge a minimum total rather than a per square foot price.
  • Property conditionIf you need grading, demolition or other site work, the price will go up. Also, if your property cant be accessed with the necessary equipment, requiring a pump or additional labor, costs will rise.
  • Complexity of designAdding texture, color, borders or other design features will add up. A basic shape with straight edges is easier to form, while curves are more complex and more expensive.
  • New patio vs existing patioIf you are looking to install a new patio, it will cost an estimated $3 $15 per sq ft, and sometimes more. If you have an existing patio and are looking to refresh the look, or have repairs made to any damage, you may not have to start over. The costs of patio resurfacing are less than that of replacement, ranging between $3 and $10 per square foot.

Tip: Since the cost of your patio can vary with the size of the surface and the detail of your design, it is important to find a contractor that will give you the best result for the best price. You can find a patio contractor by using the Concrete Network directory. View portfolio pictures, contact contractors directly, and even request free estimates.

Part 4 Of 4: Adding The Top Layer

  • 1Mix a batch of concrete according to the manufacturers instructions. Read the concrete packaging to find out how to mix it. The ratio is usually about 1 part water to 3 parts concrete. Add the water and concrete to a mixing container, then use a wooden stirrer or electric paddle mixer to combine them into a thick liquid.XResearch source
  • The mixing ratio may vary depending on what product you own, so check the manufacturers recommendations to get the concrete to the proper consistency.
  • 2Add a bonding adhesive if you are using regular concrete. If you got a bag of concrete and mixed it normally, you should use a concrete bonding adhesive to ensure the layers of concrete stick to one another. The adhesive is a liquid that comes in a plastic jug and you pour it directly into the concrete mixture. Check the manufacturers instructions to add the product at the recommended ratio.
  • You can get the additive online or at most home improvement stores.
  • If you are using a concrete patching product, you most likely do not need the adhesive. It is often included as part of the patching mix. Check the products label to make sure.
  • 3Apply the new concrete over the primer. Pour concrete onto the existing slab until it is around where you want the final level to be. Make sure you have enough concrete to fill the entire area to the depth you desire. Add all of the concrete right away so none of the mixture has a chance to dry out.XResearch source
  • Behr Premium 5 Gal Gray Granite Grip Decorative Flat Interior/exterior Concrete Floor Coating

    Update your garage floor with this Behr Premium Granite Grip. It’s a slip-resistant concrete floor coating that helps renew the floor’s surface and appearance. It is also formulated to resist hot tire pick-up, dirt, grease and household stains. This protective coating hides surface imperfections and fills in hairline cracks. Revives concrete surfaces Ideal for horizontal surfaces such as: walkways, patios, porches, garage floors, driveways and pool decks Up to 250 sq. ft. of coverage per

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    Cracks In Footers/foundations Block Walls And Columns

    Cracks in footers/foundations and block walls can also be repaired using epoxy, but again, it is critical to eliminate the cause of the cracks. A house settling, for example, may require the construction of a boot on the outside of the foundation to prevent any further settling. Cracks in a column are another substantial issue. While there are means of filling in the cracks, preventing further cracking is the largest issue. That may require the addition of more columns to support the weight above. Another option is building a rebar cage outside the column, drilling six-inch holes into the existing concrete, driving rebar into the holes, attaching that rebar to the cage, then forming and pouring more concrete around the column.


    Add Solid Crack Filler

    Need ideas for my cracked concrete patio

    Assess the depth of the crack. If the crack is partially or completely deeper than 1/4-inch, fill in the necessary sections to bring it up to that height. 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. One hand holds the funnel, while the other hand holds a small amount of sand and slowly drops it into the funnel. This method has the advantage of being very inexpensive and allowing you to vary the height of the crack filler as you go.

    Another option is to force a closed-cell backer rod into the crack. Three-quarter-inch backer rod is designed to fit into 1/2-inch cracks. Force the backer rod into the crack as much as you can with your fingers. Cut off the backer rod when you reach higher areas that do not need filler. 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.

    Also Check: How Much Does It Cost To Build A Concrete Patio?

    The Best Way To Fix A Cracked Patio

    You dont need to replace your whole patio to make it look like new again.


    Summer is upon us, which means plenty of cook-outs, lounging by the pool, and entertaining friends in our favorite outdoor spaces.

    From pool patios to front walkways, a good number of homes these days utilize concrete slabs and surfaces. Much like other features of a home, these patios and walkways need repair from time to time due to erosion, settlement, and general wear and tear. These repairs dont need to affect your busy summer schedule though, as there are quick ways and new products to address your patio issues.

    Enjoy A Lush Tropical Feel

    Tropical plants say summer, and you can make use of them on and around your patio even in the North . Tropical flowers such as dahlia bulbs;color up the patio splendidly. But do not forget the tropicals that function as foliage plants, such as elephant ears: They may not provide magnificent flowers, but their large leaves furnish a terrific background for the showier specimens on your patio throughout the summer. A versatile tropical plant popular now on patios is the famous;papyrus plant: Use it in a water feature or simply grow it in a container.

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    Can You Install Composite Decking Directly Onto Concrete

    An existing concrete patio will make your deck installation much easier and faster, and you can install your deck directly onto the concrete.


    You will want to account for water drainage and material expansion/contraction, so it is best to place boards called sleepers underneath the deck. It is also a good idea to add small spacers between the sleepers and the concrete patio.

    • When you install your sleepers, keep them no more than a foot apart. You want to provide as much support for the top planks as you can, and too much distance can leave your deck feeling unstable and springy. It can even be dangerous nobody wants to put a foot through the deck.
    • Some composite decking can be installed directly onto concrete without sleepers. In this case, you will want to make sure your patio is very level and well settled. If your concrete patio sinks an inch in various places over the years, so will your deck. Do yourself a favor and check the manufacturer installation guide before you decide on a deck built flush to the concrete.
    • In either case, there will be a need to attach some elements to the concrete. To do this, you will need to drill holes and add plastic anchors to the concrete. Regular nails and screws will not attach to concrete.

    Tips For Working With Sleepers

    How to turn your cracked concrete Patio into nice Flagstone pattern

    Screwing down sleepers with concrete screws is simple, but there are some things to keep in mind:

    • Screws should penetrate the concrete by at least 1 in., so 3-1/4-in. screws are perfect. In low spots, where we had to stack up shims, we switched to 3-3/4- in. screws.
    • As you drill, dust compresses around the drill bit. That slows you down, strains your drill and overheats the bit. To clear the dust, pull the bit completely out of the hole once or twice while drilling each hole.
    • Drill the holes 1/4 to 1/2 in. deeper than the screw will reach. Extra-depth provides a space for dust and grit, so screws are easier to drive.
    • Have extra drill bits on hand. As a bit wears, it doesn’t just drill more slowly; it also bores a slightly smaller hole and screws become harder to drive. We replaced each bit after about 40 holes. When all the sleepers are screwed down, take a few minutes to double-check for flatness. Set a 4-ft. straightedge on each sleeper, both across it and along it. If you find spots that are 1/16 in. or more out-of-plane, back out the screw and add or remove shims.

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    How Can I Salvage A Crumbling Cracked 24×24 Triangle Shaped Concrete Patio Without Tearing It Out

    15″ deep, but not solid concrete, was packed full of dirt, rocks, etc as fill. Needs to be budget friendly, maybe DIY perhaps. Was built by my Dad in the 80’s when he owned the home.

    How To Repair A Cracked And Old Cement Patio

    • Pin

    Today we are sharing how to repair a cracked and old cement patio that we completed at our old house.;;


    This post was updated April 2020 to reflect an updated version of this product. The product link is towards the bottom of this post. This post was not sponsored, we just really liked the outcome of the space so we shared with you!

    The patio had been neglected and seriously damaged through the winter storms. My dad completely ruined it when he put down some kind of a rock salt during the winter that ate through the cement like it was a little scooby snack.

    TIP: If you have deep cracks or large concrete pieces missing, you will need to use a filler product prior to fix them. Read the directions on the back of the product to ensure you are applying properly.

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    Update Your Concrete Patio With Rust

    If youve been following along for a while, then you might remember that weve been working on projects to fix up the exterior of our house since the spring.


    I shared the whole before of our exterior as well as our plans to improve it early in the season. So far we have worked on the deck; the pea gravel fire pit, the siding , the exterior trim, and the front yard lawn, river rock garden, ;split rail fence, and side shade garden.

    One of the last things we managed to squeeze in this year before the weather arrived was the makeover of our lower patio. The before of this patio area from when I shared all my plans for the exterior of our house and the yard shows how it looked mid-way into the deck reconstruction process

    We started with a very tired, very damaged, very ugly, old patio area beneath our upper deck.

    At some point it had been painted with concrete paint , and it had NOT held up well. It actually made me cringe inside every time I looked at it.

    We started out by giving it a serious power washing. We got up as much of the old concrete paint as we possibly could in order to leave a clean, fresh surface for our new treatment. The prep steps may seem like the boring part but they are super important, so dont skip them!


    We bought this Subaru Power Washer in the spring and LOVE it

    After power washing and getting every last bit of the old paint off that we possibly could, we filled the cracks with a special RustOLeum epoxy filler

    Next: The Primer!

    Can I Have A Decorative Concrete Overlay

    How to Transform an Old, Tired, Cracked Concrete Patio ...

    Yes, this replaced old carpet and tile in a hotel lobby.

    The project totaled 4500 sq. ft. of stamped and hand carved stones.


    The overlay material was a total of 1/4 inch thick over an old concrete floor.

    An excellent stampable overlay mix is STAMP MIX.

    This stamped concrete overlay was installed over an old, worn concrete patio that sloped towards the house.

    We resurfaced the concrete with our overlay, stamped a cobblestone pattern into it, and sloped the overlay away from the house to shed water.

    A spray down or sprayed on concrete overlay is great when you need some texture on the surface for slip-resistance or if you use a stencil to create a pattern like the one below.

    Concrete resurfacing using an overlay can make an old, cracked and pitted concrete patio look like new again.

    On this patio, I repaired the small cracks, lightly ground the surface, applied the overlay with a hand trowel at about 1/16 inch thick, then dragged a broom across the overlay to give it a broom finished look.

    I would use the trowel mix concrete overlay if you are going to diy this type of project.

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    Solved What To Do About Cracks In A Concrete Driveway

    Q: We just bought a new house and we love it, but the driveway has a few cracks and Id really like to fix them. Is repairing a cracked driveway a do-it-yourself job, or will I need to hire a contractor?A: While concrete is certainly one of the most durable construction materials around, over time it

    + Porch Railing Ideas You Can Build Yourself

    In this article, youll find over 45 different porch handrail ideas all built with Kee Klamp fittings and pipe. By the end, youll be ready to build a railing system of your own.

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    Is It Cheaper To Build A Deck

    Concrete is not the only option for your patio, but it may be the most cost-efficient. Decorative concrete on your patio can mimic the look and feel of many other surfaces such as pavers and wood decking.

    Related:

    A wood deck can cost $15 to $35 per square foot. This cost is related to labor, the materials chosen , and the amount of detail involved in the design. Although a wood deck can give you an attractive finished product, it can be an expensive option when compared to the features offered with a concrete patio.

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    Option One: Use A Surface Coating

    How We Repaired Our Cracked Concrete Patio | Home Renovations Ep. 1 | Leann DuBois

    This may be the best option if you have small cracks or holes in your concrete because it will keep water off of them and prevent major damage to occur from freezing temperatures . Its also an inexpensive way, although I still recommend using one that has sealant properties for more effectiveness. Some pros and cons of this approach are:

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    Option 1: Replace The Whole Thing

    The first way most homeowners think of to;address their settling patio is to simply replace it. Seems simple enough, right?

    But this method is not so simple. Replacing the entire patio will first require you to remove any furniture you may have on the surface, as well as any plants or landscaping which may be along the borders. Then youre in for;lots of labor, new materials, and foot traffic through your property. Even though it seems like the most obvious choice, replacing the whole patio is the most expensive and time consuming option on the table. So what else can you do?

    S To Renew An Aging Concrete Driveway

    Youve been working really hard on your homes curb appeal and theres one thing that has you stumped the driveway. Do you repair the cracks or bite the bullet and replace the whole driveway? It

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    Resurface Or Repair Your Existing Concrete With A Concrete Overlay

    A concrete overlay can give your old, worn, or damaged concrete a brand new look.

    Overlays can be applied from feather edge up to 1 inch thick in some cases. They can be finished smooth, broom finished, or even colored & stamped.

    Application is done with a trowel, squeegee, or a gauge rake & smoother.Â; Making it easy to give just about any concrete surface a brand new appearance at a much lower cost than removing and re-pouring new concrete.


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