DOES CONCRETE RESURFACING LAST?

Does Concrete Resurfacing Last?

If you are having issues with the concrete job you got done a few years back and thinking of ways to preserve it and make it new again then a viable option you will see on the internet is concrete resurfacing. Such resurfacing is usually done on roads, sidewalks, patios and driveways where the concrete is exposed and hence gets subjected to all the different factors which cause it to wear out.

Concrete is definitely one of the most durable materials which is why it is used in almost all building projects. But with time as it gets constantly exposed to heavy cars, traffic, sun damage, carbon dioxide and other atmospheric changes it starts to deteriorate and changes its color as well which is why it needs resurfacing.

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Essential Steps and Pointers:

The main question now is how long it lasts. It all depends on the conditions with which it was placed. If you take care of all the proper steps then it will of course last long but if they are ignored then it won’t take long for it to get in the same position as the concrete before.

• • An average life span of concrete resurfacing is about 10 to 20 years which is when it is cared for properly and installed perfectly. After that it will start to disintegrate slightly just like its base concrete did. I will now discuss a few essential things which play their part in helping the resurfacing last.


• • Cleaning the base concrete is very important. Dirt and residues of several solutions are always present on concrete and it is also not a common practice in houses to clean their driveways or patios especially when they are made from concrete. If you do not pressure wash it before laying down the new concrete then it will not bond properly and ultimately fail.


• • The base concrete should be prepped well. Resurfacing requires a relatively thin layer of concrete of fluid consistency. This means it only works to renew the previous one and not build on it. If there are huge cracks, holes or crevices in the concrete then they need to be filled before you put the resurfacing layer on. If you put the layer on top of the cracks, it will just seep in and after drying create a brand new crack for you. Properly fill the cracks and holes with concrete, let it dry and then after smoothing it out, add the new layer.


• • Maintenance is the next step after the main job is done. Sealed concrete generally lasts longer and the sealer protects it from sun damage, water exposure and crumbling. You can refresh the sealer but that also needs around 10 to 15 years to go old making it a great investment for your floor. A good quality sealer will protect it and also give it a polished and fresher look.


• • You can do the resurfacing job yourself if the condition of the previous concrete is not too bad. But if you see cracks and other deformities then it’s essential that you call a professional to do the job for you.


• • The benefit of getting this done is that it doesn’t require much time. The base is the previous cement and you do not need to break anything. You will just add a layer of the resurfacer and make it even. This in itself is useful enough and it lasts long as well which is why it’s a great investment.

Composition of Concrete Resurfacer:

You can get concrete resurfacer bags in different hardware shops. It mainly is cement with some additives like sand, polymer modifiers and other strong bonding agents which helps it stick to the concrete well as it’s a thin layer. The consistency should be that of a syrup so keep adding water till you reach that.
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Prepping the Surface for Application

Using an angle grinder to completely even out the previous cement is an important step. This removes all the bumps and irregularities and gives you a smooth surface to work with. You can also use a hammer to break the parts that are too big. You can use a broom to clean the small rocks and cement residues.

It is then crucial that you pressure clean the surface and then again drench it in cool water. Do not let it dry after you have cleaned it and apply the resurfacer on the wet slab. This prevents the concrete below to absorb the water from the resurfacer and lets it stay in the syrup like consistency needed for resurfacing.

Cracks and holes:

Sometimes when the concrete is in really bad condition and you’re thinking that a thin layer of the resurfacer cannot mend it completely then there is a trick for that. You can first make a batch of resurfacer and fill all the cracks and crevices if there are a lot. The prepping will be the same as I mentioned above. It will then be dried till it sets well. You will use the angle grinder again to smooth it further.

A new batch of resurfacer will be made and again using a cement spreading broom, you will lay down a clean, smooth layer again after prepping the surface again. A good quality cement sealer can prevent the cracks from emerging again.

Questions:

​Can you get any textures done on the resurfacing?
Just like concrete you can also get different styles and textures done to the resurface. You can get it stamped, brush finished and pigmented whichever way you prefer.

What kind of stains can be used in the concrete?
You can get concrete specific stains in any hardware store so make sure to use those. If you use any other stains they would not mix in the concrete and make it splotched and uneven. Mix the resurfacer well after adding the stain which you can do with some sort of electrical mixer instead of by shovel as its consistency is a lot thinner than regular concrete.

How to check the condition of the concrete?
You can obviously inspect it yourself but it is beneficial to hire someone to do the job so they can give you the exact specifications of how much deterioration is actually present and what kind of resurfacing job is needed.

For all your Concrete Repair and Concrete Resurfacing needs in Syracuse, NY. Call us at Syracuse NY Concrete today!