Outdoor Concrete Restoration & Resurfacing
Restore concrete by resurfacing it with an overlay to bring new life to your home or yard. Whether you want to improve the look of your patio, or cover up cracks in your driveway, resurfacing is a great option for outdoor concrete. Choose the surface you desire to transform below to learn more, get design ideas, and locate a resurfacing contractor in your area.
Allow The Surface To Dry
Once done with your repairing work, the last thing that you need to do is allow proper time for drying. This will take approximately 12 hours in normal temperature conditions. Keep in mind to protect your patio against rain during this time.
Plus, make sure no pets or humans go on the area until it is completely dried out!
The last thing you need to do is apply a sealant to your fresh concrete patch. This step will help protect your patio from future wear and tear, but it also helps ensure that the patched area matches the existing structure. You can find a wide variety of sealants in stores, so make sure to choose the right one!
Cement Needs To Be Consistency Of Peanut Butter
Prepare the Concrete Patch Mix
Use concrete with at least 3,000 PSI and good adhesion. The concrete comes with its own bonding agent. Put the powder in the wheelbarrow or cement mixer. Add liquid a little bit at a time to a peanut butter consistency. Only mix the amount that can be used in 20 to 30 minutes.
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Resurfacing Patios: Make Your Patio Look Better With An Overlay
SUNDEK of San Antonio in San Antonio, TX
Concrete patios with minor damage, but in otherwise good condition, can be transformed with concrete resurfacing. Instead of starting over with a new patio, you can upgrade its appearance and strength with a cement-based overlay.
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Your resurfaced concrete patio can be stamped, stained, or stenciled and have color added. A professional contractor can determine if your surface is a good candidate, as well as make it look like wood, brick or stone with a combination of different colors and patterns.
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?
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Two: Check The Forecast
Make sure to check the weather forecast before beginning this project. This process can be ruined by wet weather, so make sure that there-s no chance of rain;and that the day is dry and preferably sunny. Also, keep in mind that the colder the weather, the longer it will take for the concrete to dry.
Does Concrete Resurfacing Last
If you use a high-quality resurfacing product and have it professionally installed, you can expect it to last 10 years or more. Some contractors have even seen resurfacing last 25 years! But if you go with a DIY resurfacing kit from a big box store, they don’t last as long.
Proper cleaning, maintenance and protection go a long ways to making your new surface long-lasting. Make sure to have your concrete sealed, and then reseal as needed.
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Concrete Resurfacing And Stenciling : How To Resurface A Concrete Slab Or Patio
Concretestenciling is an easy, economical way to achieve the highly desired look ofpaver stones or brick without the additional expense, tools, time or laborrequired.
Inaddition to boosting curb appeal for homeowners, concrete stenciling is also along-lasting, attractive alternative to replacing an old concrete driveway,patio or walkway that has started to show signs of wear and tear or slight cracking.Plus, it provides a unique service offering that sets your business apart fromthe competition!
Ifyoure stenciling on concrete that has begun to show signs of age or cracking but is still structurally sound it is best to begin the process byresurfacing. Read on to learn how to return a concrete slab, patio or walkwayto like-new condition using
Tip: A slab with multiple cracks running deep in the concrete, tree roots breaking through, or one that has deteriorated into a pile of stones and sand will need to be replaced, not resurfaced.
Materials Needed
- Variable-speed drill and paddle mixer attachment
Step One: Prepare the Surface
Before resurfacing, preparation is critical. The concrete must be sound, clean, hard and free of dust, dirt, grease, oil, paint, sealers, curing compounds and other foreign materials that would inhibit performance. Pressure washing is recommended with a 2,500 psi pressure washer and the appropriate tip, assuring the surface is properly cleaned.
Step Two: Mix the Product
S For Resurfacing A Concrete Patio
The SpreadStone kits come with most of the tools you need , and the coats come pre-mixed and ready to pour and roll on. We found this YouTube tutorial very helpful. It took us about three days to resurface our 300-square foot patio with ample breaks for work and parenting. We could have easily had it done in two days if we had started earlier the first day.
Whats included in the kit: Primer, Base Coat, Accent Coat, Clear Sealer, Stone Texture Roller,;1/4 Grout Line Stencil Tape
What you will need: 3/8-1/2 paint rollers , paint tray
Here are the steps for resurfacing a concrete patio:
- Clean and prep the space. This includes power washing the surface, sealing any larger cracks or holes with Quikrete, and taping and covering areas around the concrete area you intend to resurface.
- Primer. The first coat in the kit is a primer coat that you will roll onto the entire surface with a paint roller. Like all of the color coats, it doesnt matter if it looks perfectly even, as each steps coat will cover and correct the imperfections of the coat before it. It will take 1-2 hours to dry before you can continue with the next step.
- Optional: If you want to include faux grout lines or a stencil pattern, you can layer that on after this coat has dried and cured completely. The tape or stencils will stay on until after the accent coat is applied.
The accent coats are applied using a special texture roller included in the decorative concrete resurfacing kit
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The Bottom Line On Decorative Concrete Resurfacing
We were very happy with not only the DIY process, but the results. I would definitely recommend the SpreadStone Decorative Concrete Resurfacing Kit from Daich Coatings if youre looking for an easy, budget-friendly way to give your patio a makeover. My husband and I completed the project over the course of a few days, and we saved hundreds compared with replacing our concrete patio or having it resurfaced professionally. The before and after results are like night and day, and we feel so happy in our newly refreshed space!
Stay tuned for more details on our backyard patio makeover later this week!
What Temperature Should You Pour Concrete
Before resurfacing, strip off any paint or sealers from your concrete surface and watch the weather. Temperatures should remain above 50 degrees F for 8 hours after the pour and above freezing for 24 hours after that. For optimum results, work on a day with low humidity, no rain and an air temperature ranging between 70° and 75°F. The surface temperature of the existing concrete must be at least 50°F.
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Allow The Resurfacer To Cure
As concrete resurfacer cures, it hardens and becomes stronger. Wait about eight hours before walking on resurfaced concrete, and at least two days before driving on it.
Resurfacer should be kept slightly moist while curing. Covering with plastic is only necessary to protect the surface from rain immediately after application, but the surface should be lightly misted with water once or twice a day for the first two days.
How To Repair A Cracked And Old Cement Patio
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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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Concrete Patio Resurfacing In 3 Steps
- Written by Justin Daddio on Oct 06, 2009To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
If weathering has made your patio unattractive, you dont have to rip it up and install new materials to get a brand new look. By resurfacing your concrete patio, you can achieve a brand new look in just a fraction of the time.
Keep in mind that the ideal temperatures for pouring concrete are between 50° and 60° Fahrenheit on overcast days. Extreme heat or cold will affect the curing rate of the concrete. Resurfacing a concrete patio doesnt require a lot of tools or materials and can be completed by following the steps below:
Mix the Materials
One of the most important parts of resurfacing your concrete patio is to make sure you use the proper stone size in your mix; this depends on the thickness of the concrete overlay you plan to install. For overlays that are less than ¼ inch, a mixture of Portland cement and fine sand will do. For thicker pours of ¼ inch to ¾ inch use a coarse sand mixture. For pours that are thicker than ¾ inch use pea gravel. Mix the Portland cement and sand in a wheelbarrow. The proper ratio is two parts sand to one part cement. To avoid a soupy concrete mix, add the water gradually until you achieve the right mix. The concrete should resemble pancake batter when mixed properly.
Pour the Concrete
Of 4: Adding The Top Layer
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Prep The Area For Staining
Now that the concrete is clean, make sure your shoes are, too, before you walk on the patio again. The surrounding ground will be wet from concrete cleaning. We changed into a pair of clean, dry shoes to work on the patio. Before cracking open the stain, shield the lower portion of the house and any nearby landscaping materials to protect against drifting spray. Tape plastic film along the siding. You don’t have to protect plants and grass if you don’t want to . If any dirt gets on the patio after you’ve cleaned it, brush the concrete lightly with a broom to avoid pushing the dirt into the surface.
Which Resurfacer Should You Use
The long-term viability of the restored concrete is only as good as the resurfacer used for the job. Fortunately, new state-of-the-art polymer resin technology found in next-generation concrete resurfacers has established improved standards for bond strength, workability, and working time. For example, tensile pull tests found that concrete will actually break before its bond to QUIKRETE Re-Cap Concrete Resurfacer, which features a proprietary combination of additives that stabilize the polymer film to from a stable bond with the concrete surface. As a result, premium resurfacers allow contractors to finish more concrete restoration jobs faster and without worry of time-consuming and costly callbacks. Some other attributes contractors should consider when selecting a resurfacer include:
- The resurfacer should have a compressive strength at least equal to the concrete surface being restored .
- The resurfacer should be enhanced with polymers additives to increase tensile bond strength to at least 400 psi in seven days.
- The resurfacer should have high-early strength exceeding 1,200 psi in one day so the concrete can be open to traffic quickly.
- The resurfacer should have minimal plastic and drying shrinkage to prevent cracking.
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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. 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.
The 5 Basic Steps To Concrete Resurfacing
STEP 1.
Remove all the loose, crumbling, cracked, and broken pieces of concrete first. You can do this by lightly grinding like we do or by using a good pressure washer, 3500 psi or more.
If you grind like we do, lightly pressure wash the concrete afterwards to remove all the dust & debris leftover by grinding.
STEP 2.
Patch & repair all cracks, chips, and broken areas over 1/4″ deep or deeper before resurfacing. You can use the resurfacing product for this or another concrete patch product. Lightly sand or rubbing stone it smooth after it sets up.
STEP 3.
Lightly dampen the concrete and apply the first coating of resurfacing material. You can trowel it or squeegee it over the surface.
Don’t try to be too perfect, just consistent. IF you have any lines, you can sand them out before doing the 2nd coat.
STEP 4.
As soon as the first coating is dry, you can apply the 2nd, finish coat. Lightly mist the surface with water and mix and apply the second coating just like the first one.
Apply your broom finish right after you trowel/squeegee it down.
STEP 5.
Seal the new concrete with a concrete sealer to protect it! Spray or roll on two very light coats of sealer to help your new concrete surface last for a long time.
You can use a clear sealer or a tinted one like I’m using in the picture!
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How To Resurface Concrete
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and holds other certifications and is a member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.
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- Yield: 200 sq. ft. driveway
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Estimated Cost: $450 to $600
Compared to many home improvement and repair projects, resurfacing concrete is a relatively easy task that can be done with concrete resurfacing products available at any home improvement center or hardware store. Resurfacing is a good option when the surface of a concrete slab or structure is cosmetically marred but in otherwise good shape. Resurfacers will not correct deep cracking or heaving, but they can cover over routine flaking of a concrete surface or small pits due to spalling. A concrete slab that has been damaged by road salts, for example, can be renewed quite easily with a coating of resurfacer.
If you take the time to prepare properly, apply the resurfacer carefully according to manufacturer instructions, and allow the resurfacer plenty of time to cure, you’ll be rewarded with a garage floor, driveway, sidewalk, or patio that looks as good as new.
Why Resurfacing Is Better Than Painting Your Concrete Surface
Painting your concrete surface is no simple task. Concrete is porous, so paint tends to peel. Using water-based stains, concrete dyes, or tinted sealers is a possibility, but some color variation is likely to occur.
SUNDEK can apply a concrete coating to your current surface with color already mixed in. We have a variety of colors to choose from. We can also seal the surface for protection from stains, UV damage, and other elements.
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