When concrete surfaces get old, cracked and worn, you don’t have to rip them up and start over. In many cases, you can resurface concrete to give it new life. This is a much less expensive and faster option. Here are three basic tips for resurfacing your old concrete surfaces.
- Fix and clean
It sounds a little counterintuitive, but before you can resurface your concrete, you need to fix the current surface. Step one is to thoroughly clean the surface with a power washer. This will remove dirt and other particles that may hinder your resurfacing efforts. Then, remove any larger pieces of concrete that are loose. Next, you can begin priming, reinforcing and patching cracks in the surface. This creates a smoother surface to refinish and ensures that the products you add will last.
- Bonding agents
In order for new concrete to bond with the existing surface, you need a bonding agent. This will adhere the new concrete to what is already in place, similar to gluing two pieces of paper together. In fact, a bonding agent looks similar to regular, household glue. A good rule of thumb is to use about half a cup for each bag of concrete mix. Simply add the bonding agent to the mix before use.
- Polymer coatings
In the case of concrete flooring, a polymer coating may be preferable to these other methods. The advantage of a polymer is that it eliminates the need to repair holes and cracks in the existing surface. Instead, the polymer coating is applied in a liquid form that fills in gaps. It’s then smoothed out to provide a level finish, which will dry and appear similar to a lacquer.
Among the easiest ways to resurface and smooth out concrete is to use Euco Re-cover. This Euclid Chemical product is a polymer modified, micro-fiber reinforced concrete resurfacing mortar that provides excellent working time and sets for foot traffic in as little as 4-hours.
To learn more about Euco Re-cover and similar products for your concrete projects, stop by and see us at Maxwell Supply in Tulsa.