What Is Concrete Resurfacing?

Concrete resurfacing can be a logical decision to make if you need to restore old, deteriorated concrete.

You have to think, your curbs and driveway are the first things that someone sees went entering your home. And no matter how beautiful your home or garden is, if your driveway looks shabby and damaged, first impressions won't be good.

Concrete is subject to wear and tear over time, just like most materials, and can even sustain minor damage. Plus, it might not just be your garden but other areas around the home like your patio or walkways that could benefit from resurfacing.

Read on to learn more about why you should consider concrete resurfacing.

What Is Concrete Resurfacing?

Concrete resurfacing isn't the same as the traditional way of preparing concrete, which is pricey and can be a lot of hassle. 

The traditional process involves breaking up all the concrete in question and then wholly replacing it. On the other hand, concrete resurfacing is applied on top of your existing concrete as a strong, thin, and uniform top-layer.

Resurfacing is a much quicker method, cheaper, and it just makes logical sense. Plus, you won't have to get rid of a ton of old concrete with this method.

Just think about the effort to replace an entire concrete driveway for example.

Plus, you can also carry out concrete floor resurfacing indoors, such as in a basement, garage, or even in your home.

What Is Concrete Resurfacer Made From?

Concrete resurfacer isn't like the several different kinds of concrete mixes available on the market. 

More specifically, concrete resurfacer is more of a thin film made from a mixture of standard cement, polymer modifiers, sand, and other specialized concrete bonding agents. And, there are many concrete resurfacing options on the table to choose from.

It's applied on your existing concrete surfaces with little effort as a thin layer that shouldn't be any more than 0.5 inches thick. One great thing about this method is that it hardly changes the original shape of your concrete.

If you opted for a complete concrete replacement, it might take a lot of effort to manipulate the concrete to look the same as before. 

Anyhow, concrete resurfacer should be more robust than any typical concrete used, with a minimum compressive strength of 4,000 PSI, but it's usually more.

And if you're considering resurfacing, why not look into polished concrete too?

When Should You Resurface?

Since resurfacing is the more cost-effective and more straightforward option than replacing your concrete, it's good to know when to resurface.

Here are some situations to observe that can indicate when it's time to resurface your concrete:

• Concrete discoloration
• Worn and crumbling concrete
• Ugly imperfection on the concrete surface
• Concrete that's cracking
• Your concrete's finish looks outdated

In general, it might be a good time to resurface your concrete when it's not in keeping with the level of your home's aesthetics. For example, your house and garden might look well-kept, but your concrete surfaces let the team down.

However, if you suspect that you want resurfacing carried out, it's advisable to contact a professional to do a proper assessment of your concrete. Ultimately, they are best qualified to advise you on the next course of action.

As well, if you are planning on fully replacing your concrete, then it's good to use a concrete calculator to figure out how much you need.

Preparing Your Concrete for Resurfacing

The most important aspect of concrete resurfacing is floor preparation. 

For the resurfacer to be applied accurately, be long-lasting, and remain durable, the prep work is second to none. Once this has been done, the application of the resurfacer is relatively straightforward.

Why Is Preparation So Important?

Any concrete resurfacer you choose to use works by binding itself to the surface it contacts with.

So if you have debris and loose bits of old concrete spread out over your old surface, the concrete resurfacer won't be as effective in the long run. It will likely come apart and start to look messy when the dirt, debris, and loose bits of concrete come loose again.

Now, here's a quick guide on how to optimally prepare your surface for concrete resurfacing. And just so you know, there are some amazing concrete prep packages to take advantage of for this type of process.

1. Clean Thoroughly

From what we've just mentioned, it's obvious the first step has to be to remove every shred of dirt and debris from the concrete surface you're going to treat. 

An excellent way to start this is by sweeping the area thoroughly and then give it the old soap and water treatment to rid any stains and dust from the concrete. Keep in mind; if you are going to any chemical products, make sure they are completely removed before applying the resurfacer.

The easiest and most efficient way to clean your surface has to be with a jet wash if you have one handy.

2. Remove Crumbling Concrete

Whether the concrete is crumbling or loosening, it has to go. Basically, any ugly and odd-looking areas need to be tended to by stripping as much of what you can pull away as possible.

The reason for this is because the resurfacer needs to cling to solidly intact concrete for it to work effectively in the long term.

3. Deal With Cracks

One of the reasons you might want to resurface your concrete is that it has cracks and blemishes. If so, you need to fill in the broader gaps, which are any wider than a small flat key. 

If you don't fill the wider cracks, the resurfacer might end up sinking into them, and you'll end up with a similar problem. 

The best way to seal concrete cracks that are especially wide is with a concrete patching compound. If they are pretty slim, you can get away with a liquid filler or concrete caulk. Apply the fillers with a trowel.

4. Grip Enhancement

After all the cleaning and special treatments you've carried out, your concrete might look pretty good. Yet, it's likely to be too smooth for your resurfacing compound to grip nicely. 

Use a concrete grinder or similar tools to roughen up your concrete's surface so that your compound can bind well.

Resurfacing Concrete

Resurfacing your concrete can be done by yourself, as well as all the previous preparation steps. Yet, we wholeheartedly recommend you get a professional in to do the job well.

If you don't have previous experience, it can be quite challenging to get a smooth and aesthetically pleasing outcome.

If, however, you are treating a small area, quite simply follow the instructions given with your resurfacer!

You can use concrete floor paint for indoor concrete flooring, to make an even slicker-looking finish.

A Smooth Finish

All that's left to say is that concrete resurfacing can be a highly cost-effective and quick way of dealing with ugly, worn, and battered concrete.

Completely replacing your concrete is quite the challenge, especially if you attempt it yourself without the right tools.

For more interesting reads, check out our blog.