how do you resurface a concrete foundation

The steps it takes to resurface your concrete are:

1. Remove any loose, flaking, and broken concrete
2. Clean and patch the deep areas over 1/2" deep
3. Sand patched areas, clean, and apply first coat of concrete resurfacer then let dry
4. Lightly sand the surface, clean, and apply finish coat of concrete resurfacer with light broom finish.

Full Answer

How do you resurface concrete floors?

Resurfacing them can become a large-scale maintenance job, depending on the size of the foundation. Wash the surface a hose to create a clean surface. For deep oil or chemical stains, clean with steam powdered chemicals. Apply primer to any cracks with a paint brush. There are a variety of primers available for priming concrete.

How do you fix a cracked foundation on a driveway?

These cracked foundations can be found commonly on driveways. Resurfacing them can become a large-scale maintenance job, depending on the size of the foundation. Wash the surface a hose to create a clean surface. For deep oil or chemical stains, clean with steam powdered chemicals. Apply primer to any cracks with a paint brush.

How much concrete resurfacer do I put on concrete?

If your mixture is too thick, add 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of water at a time to loosen it. If the mix is too runny, add 1⁄2 pound (0.23 kg) of the resurfacer. This will cover 45 square feet (4.2 m 2) of concrete, so adjust the amounts as necessary for the area you intend to resurface. Pour the resurfacer in a small area on top of your concrete.

How do you add texture to a concrete resurfacer?

Brush across the surface with a concrete broom to add texture to the resurfacer. Smooth concrete can be slippery unless you add texture to it. After the resurfacer has been sitting for 5 minutes, drag a nylon-bristle concrete broom across the surface to create texture lines. Always brush in the same direction so the lines look neat and uniform.

What is resurfacing concrete?

Resurfacing means pouring a thin layer of concrete resurfacer over the top of your existing slabs to hide cracks and make it look brand new. Besides being more cost-effective than replacing the slab, you can resurface your concrete in a single day.

How many square feet does a bag of concrete resurfacer cover?

A bag of concrete resurfacer covers about 90 square feet (8.4 m 2 ).

How to mix resurfacer with water?

Mix 5 1⁄2 c (1,300 ml) of cool water with 20 lb (9.1 kg) of resurfacer. Pour the resurfacer mix and the water into a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket. Use the corded drill with a paddle attachment to blend the resurfacer together. This time, blend the resurfacer until it has the consistency of pancake batter.

How much water to mix with resurfacer?

The amount of resurfacer you need depends on how many cracks and holes you need to fill. Start by mixing 1 cup (240 ml) of water with 3 1⁄2 pounds (1.6 kg) of resurfacer mix.

How do I clean a concrete slab?

Use a power washer to remove dirt and loose concrete. Plug the power washer in, connect it to a water source, and turn on the machine using the switch. Hold the end of the power washer 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) from the surface of the concrete and pull the trigger to shoot out water. Use back and forth strokes to clean all of the concrete completely. Focus on areas where concrete is loose or deteriorating.#N#Look for a power washer with a fan tip that reaches 3500 PSI to clean your concrete slabs.#N#If you don’t have access to a power washer, you can get an attachment for your garden hose.#N#Cleaning your concrete makes the resurfacer adhere better.

How to make a resurfacer with a drill?

Mix 1 part water with 7 parts resurfacer using a drill and paddle attachment. Pour the resurfacer powder into a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket, then add the water. Use a paddle attachment on a corded drill to mix the resurfacer. Keep mixing the resurfacer until it has a thick consistency like cookie dough.

What to wear when using a resurfacer?

Always wear rubber or nitrile gloves before touching the resurfacer. That way, it won’t dry on your skin.

What is concrete resurfacing?

Concrete resurfacing products are intended only for covering the surface of concrete and will serve to repair only the most superficial cracks and pits. For more substantial repairs, such as wide cracks or those that have slight vertical shifts, you will need to first repair the areas using a product that is specifically designed for patching, such as Sakrete's Top 'n Bond, and then follow up with a complete resurfacing treatment.

What is the best way to clean concrete?

It is critical that the concrete surface is cleaned of all loose debris. A strong spray from a garden hose and long-handled scrub brush may suffice, but a good pressure washing will provide better cleaning.

How to protect expansion joints when applying resurfacer?

It is important that expansion joints be protected when resurfacer is applied. Mask off these control joints with duct tape or weather stripping to prevent the resurfacer from filling them in. Resurfacer needs to be applied to a moist surface so the concrete won't draw moisture out of the resurfacer as it cures.

How long does it take to dry concrete edger?

At the edges of the slab, you can create clean, professional-looking edges with a concrete edger, but only if you get to them within the first 10 to 15 minutes of application. Where a second coat is necessary, let the surface dry for two to three hours, then apply a second coat following the same procedure.

Can you use resurfacing to repair a crack?

Concrete resurfacers should be viewed as cosmetic finishes, not repair products. When serious damage is widespread, resurfacing will mask the problems for only a short time. But if you have only minor cracks or pits in your surface, resurfacing can be effective, provided you first repair the damage with a product specifically formulated for patching.

Can you resurface concrete?

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.

Can a resurfacer be slippery?

That's often what you want in a garage. However, the smooth finish can be slippery when wet, which makes it less desirable on a driveway, sidewalk, or patio surface.

What is concrete resurfacing?

Concrete resurfacing is a way to make old concrete look new again. A concrete coating is applied over the existing surface, offering a variety of color, texture and pattern options. This type of decorative refinishing can be done on driveways, patios, pool decks and even indoor floors.

What is resurfacing patio?

Resurfacing Patios Get information and design ideas for transforming existing patios with a cement-based overlay or microtopping.

What is the first step in surface preparation?

The basic steps in surface preparation include: Cleaning the concrete to remove all substances that could inhibit the ability of the overlay to bond, such as dirt, oil and grease. It's also necessary to strip away any coatings, sealers or paints that may have been applied to the concrete.

How long does a resurfacing kit 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.

What is the most critical factor when covering concrete with an overlay?

PREPARING CONCRETE FOR RESURFACING. The most critical factor when covering concrete with an overlay is to prepare the substrate properly. Overlays are designed to adhere tenaciously to existing concrete. But they must have a clean, solid base to grasp on to.

What is profiling concrete?

Profiling, or roughening, the concrete surface to improve the "grip" of the overlay. Using a machine that mechanically abrades the concrete, such as a grinder or shotblaster, is one of the most effective ways to prepare concrete substrates for resurfacing.

How long did it take to restore a pool deck?

Restoring this indoor pool deck only took Travis Winters, the owner of Nebraska Concrete Coatings, five days. The hotel manager wanted to improve the appearance of the pool area to increase guest satisfaction and reduce the amount of maintenance required to keep it looking good. The existing deck was stained and rough on bare feet. The concrete was ground down, acid washed, neutralized and power washed. Then cracks were repaired and a skim coat applied. A diamond pattern and brick border were taped off and colored to create a decorative look.

How do You Repair a Crumbling Foundation?

I recorded the three videos that Casey mentioned about six years ago. It was pouring rain but we had to shoot that day. Fortunately, I was under a covered porch and could demonstrate exactly what to do. The first video in the series is below. Links to the other videos are shown.

Why do Concrete Patches fail?

The next step I would have never known about had it not been for a generous old concrete craftsman that shared a few of his trade secrets with me forty-five years ago. This mason saw me trying to do a small repair job and stopped to talk to me. He could tell I was about to make a mistake, one that perhaps you’ve made and a great many others.

How long should stucco be wet?

The old mason left me with one other very important tip. He said the patching material or stucco must be covered with burlap and kept wet for 48 hours. Back in his day, that’s all they had to slow down evaporation. You can use 4 or 6-mil plastic sheets, but be sure you weigh it down so it doesn’t blow away and so the wind can’t get under the plastic.

Can you paint stucco with cement?

You then brush on the cement paint and immediately cover it with your stucco mix. Never allow the cement paint to dry. It must be covered immediately. You’ll discover you’ll not have to rush if you work in the shade or on an overcast day. Working in the direct sun on a hot day is too hard on the materials and you.

Can you mix cement paint with water?

Cement paint is just a mixture of Portland cement and clean water. You blend enough cement with the water to make it the consistency of latex paint. Just before brushing on the cement paint to the old concrete, this master craftsman said to get the old concrete damp. You can use a sponge, a brush, or an old spray bottle.

How long does it take to resurface a walkway?

Resurfacing takes most of the day, but your walkway will be back in pristine shape once you're done.

How to fill a divot in concrete?

While the concrete is damp, mix up enough resurfacer to fill any divots. Combine 1 part water with 7 parts resurfacer in a 5-gallon bucket; blend with a paddle mixer attached to a corded drill. Fill the recesses with resurfacer, and smooth with a finish trowel. Go to the next step when you can stand on the patch without indenting it, in about 2 to 5 hours.

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.

What is spalling in concrete?

Tom Silva replies: Spalling, the pits that form in concrete, happen when too much water is used in a concrete mix, weakening it. As long as your walkway isn't cracked all the way through, you can coat the slab with a concrete resurfacer, a no-shrink blend of Portland cement, sand, and polymer additives that fills divots and makes a uniform finish.

What happens when too much water is used in a concrete mix?

Tom Silva replies: Spalling , the pits that form in concrete, happen when too much water is used in a concrete mix, weakening it.

How long to wait to walk on a concrete floor?

Remove the weatherstripping after 20 minutes. Wait 6 hours before walking on it. Cover only if rain threatens in the meantime.

Can you use trowel concrete over worn walkways?

Trowel concrete resurfacer over your worn walkway, and you'll have a brand new, durable surface with uniform color. Before you get started, check out this how-to video on working with concrete.