If your concrete is getting old or worn, you may think it’s time to remove and replace it. For commercial properties especially, this can turn into a very costly project. Fortunately, concrete resurfacing products allow you to refresh your concrete surfaces so that they look as good as new.
Whether you have a resort, a quaint bed-and-breakfast, or the sidewalk outside your shop could use some help, concrete resurfacing allows you to get the most out of your concrete so it both impresses your clientele and lasts as long as it was supposed to.
Concrete resurfacing is when you apply a thin, new layer of concrete over existing concrete to help it look new again. It can help it last longer by repairing minor damages.
If your concrete is looking worse for the wear, this does not immediately mean that you need to remove and replace it. Resurfacing renews surfaces and makes old concrete look new again. It can be used for some minor repairs, like hairline crack filling.
Concrete resurfacing is a good option when your concrete is marred, but mostly in good shape.
This depends on the condition of your concrete.
Concrete resurfacing won’t correct significant issues, like deep cracking or heaving. But, it can help with small pits from spalling, flaking, hairline cracks, and other such minor damages. It gives a more attractive appearance to sidewalks, driveways, pool decks, patios, concrete floors, parking decks, and the like.
If your concrete has widespread serious issues, resurfacing will only cover them up for a short time. Resurfacing won’t help with underlying soil problems.
Ultimately, the condition of your concrete is the main determinator of whether it is better to replace or resurface it.
It should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit the day the job is completed. The temperature should stay above 40 degrees for the next 24 hours and it should be dry with no rain for a minimum of 8 hours after application. If weather conditions cause the service to need to be rescheduled, your contractor should work with you to ensure that it is done as soon as possible after the original date.
Prior to resurfacing, it is best to have the surface prepared. You want any debris, oil stains, paint, sap, and the like cleaned away. You can hire a commercial pressure washer to do this for you.
Then, any damages should be repaired prior to the application of the resurfacing product. You want to use a product specifically designed for this. We here at Stone Edge Surfaces have an excellent concrete patch repair (CPR) for this purpose. This should be allowed to dry completely before moving onto resurfacing.
Then, you will want to protect any expansion joints. Once this is done, the contractor will mix, apply, and finish the job. Concrete resurfacer can last life of your concrete while giving it a new look. Concrete resurfacing is a fraction of the cost of tearing out slabs and installing new ones.
We have several products that are wonderful for concrete resurfacing, especially our Pro Bond Ultra.
Pro Bond Ultra can fill, rebuild, repair, and smooth damaged and spalled concrete. Due to its larger sand size, it can be utilized for both light and deep repairs. It can repair larger cracks and be used as a bridge over “live” cracks. It can be used to repair and resurface all sorts of different concrete surfaces, including driveways, patios, walkways, sidewalks, and more.
It’s primerless, which cuts down on costs and working time. It can be pumped or mixed a bucket at a time, is over 5,000 psi, and can take a variety of textured surfaces from broom finish to light texture and carving. It’s like an all-in-one product.
Our Smooth Coat is designed to be applied from feather thin to 1/8” deep maximum, to just resurface a concrete surface and bring it back to a like-new appearance. It can be applied over the Pro Bond Ultra as a smooth, thin slurry coat.
To learn more about our concrete resurfacing options, you can reach out to find a Stone Edge Surfaces distributor near you. You can also contact us and attend one of our factory trainings to learn how to use our products.