The Work Of Concrete Contractors

Instructions to Help You Repair and Maintain Your Concrete Patio or Driveway

10 May 2017

Jeffery Hayes

When the surface of your driveway, patio, or other concrete slab becomes chipped and the surface starts to flake off, your concrete is showing signs of spalling. Spalling occurs on concrete when it was not installed properly, for example, too much water was added to the initial mixture or it was not cured properly, which caused the concrete's strength to reduce. Precipitation and water, the use of ice melt, and freezing temperatures on the concrete's surface can affect the spalling damage to worsen it and expand the area of damage. Here are some instructions to help you repair the surface of your spalled concrete to restore it to good condition. 

Clean the Area

The first step to prepare the concrete for a repair overlay is to remove all debris and oils from the concrete. It is helpful to first, sweep the area with a broom to remove all pieces of concrete, big and small.

Next, you may want to clean the area with a bucket of water, a scrub brush, and some concrete cleaner or degreaser cleaner. It is important to make sure any residues are lifted from the concrete to ensure the new layer of concrete adheres and does not spall again. Rinse the area well with a pressure washer or garden hose.

Repair Concrete

You can mix your own cement repair overlay or buy a polymer-modified cementitious overlay already mixed for you at a local home improvement store. To mix your own, combine equal parts of Portland cement and concrete sand, then add water until you get a consistency of thick paint. Spread your overlay onto the area of damage and extending several inches around the spalling sections.

Because the repair overlay is quite fluid, it should level itself naturally, but if you need to smooth any area of the repair, use a trowel to smooth it flat. You can also use the edge of a wooden two-by-four to level the entire area all at once.

Seal Concrete

After you have repaired and filled in the spalling on your concrete, it is recommended to seal the concrete with a waterproof concrete treatment membrane. This repels water from seeping into the pores of the concrete and prevents further damage from happening. Be sure to apply it onto the concrete after the concrete has fully cured, which can take several days.

Maintaining your concrete after you seal it with the waterproof membrane consists of reapply the waterproof sealer every few years thereafter. Follow the products recommended application and drying time.

Use these tips and talk to contractors like Roklin Systems Incorporated to help you repair and maintain your concrete slab.

Share

Search