What Is Concrete Resurfacing | How to Resurface Concrete | Concrete Resurfacing Material | Concrete Repair and Resurfacing

What Is Concrete Resurfacing?

Concrete resurfacing is the process to provide a brand new look to damaged concrete. In the process of resurfacing of concrete, a concrete coating is applied on the surface of existing concrete.

Concrete resurfacing is a time-consuming process, and it’s very much labour-intensive process so, it’s a little bit expensive also.

In this process, a special bonding agent is added to the cement mixture to get a smooth cementing surface.

Types of concrete resurfacing-

• Stamped Overlays
• Pool Deck Resurfacing
• Concrete Crack Repair
• Driveway Repair
• Resurfacing Patios
• Resurfacing Products

Also, Read: Reinforced Concrete Frame | Concrete Frame Construction | Concrete Building Construction | Frame Construction | Types of Frame

How to Resurface Concrete

There are generally four steps of resurfacing concrete, those are

Step 1. Concrete Cleaning

• Concrete cleaning is done by a mechanical machine of high pressure of near about 3500 psi.
• This process is done to remove dust, algae and other hazardous materials because a cleaned surface has a better power of bonding with new materials.

Step 2. Patch Spelled Areas

• In damped concrete, resurfacer is used to fill those patches.
• Resurfaced is made by one part of water with seven-part of resurfaced in a five-gallon bucket.
• Then we need to fill up that place and smooth the area with a trowel.

Step 3. Spread the Resurfacer

• Walkway joints are filled with resurfaced.
• The resurfaced is only workable for 20 minutes.

Step 4. Trowel Operation

• Trowel operation is done to spread the resurfacer.
• The thickness of the resurfacer is ¼ to ⅛ inch.
• We need a total of six hours to use it again.

Also, Read: Different Types of Concrete Finishes | Types of Wall Finishes | How to Finish Concrete | Concrete Finish Machines | Types of Concrete Finishes for Driveways

Concrete Resurfacing Material

The general materials of resurfacing concrete are

• A unique blend of Portland cement
• Sand
• Polymer modifiers
• Many other additives

This is mainly used to repair shrinkage cracks, thin repairs, etc. A fair concrete resurfacing material is defined by its flexibility, sprayable, easy for trowel operation, etc.

Here are some condition of resurfacing concrete before we purchase it from the market-

• It must be water-resistant
• It must be non-slippery
• It should be UV resistant
• It should have the ability to withstand the freeze that cycle
• It should have the ability to resistant against chemicals
• It should have the ability to overcome the heavy foot and vehicle traffic.

Now some readymade products are available in the marketplace, those are-

• Overlay Mix
• MT resurfacer
• Overlay foot mixes
• Versa-Crete resurfacer smooth mix
• Floor top STG
• Top Cap resurfacer

Also, Read: What Is Fresh Concrete | Properties of Fresh Concrete

Concrete Repair and Resurfacing

Concrete Repair

Concrete repair is a process where we fix the problem of the concrete internally. There are several types of concrete repair techniques available, they are

• Epoxy Injection
• Routing and Sealing of Cracks
• Stitching
• Grouting Method

#1. Epoxy Injection

• Epoxy injection is a type of concrete repair process. It’s applied where the concrete cracks are not more than 0.002 inches or 0.05 mm.
• In this process, epoxy resins are entered into the cracks and exposed on the concrete surface.
• Epoxy injections are used in building cracks repairing, dams, bridges and other structures. Epoxy resin techniques need a high skill full labours.

#2. Routing and Sealing of Cracks

• Routing and sealing are applied where structural repair is not applied.
• This is applied where cracks are in the face of the concrete. Sealing is useful in a plane surface than a curved surface.
• The materials used in sealant are epoxies, urethanes, silicone, polysulphide, asphaltic material, polymer mother, etc.

#3. Stitching

• Stitching is another method of concrete repair technique.
• In this process, two holes are drilled in both sides of the concrete cracks. After that, steel bars are used to maintain the crack.

#4.  Grouting Method

• In the gravity dam, wide cracks are developed in the dam’s wall.
• This process is by Portland cement grout. This method is very effective to prevent water leaks.

Also, Read: What Is Bond Breaker | Purpose of Providing Bond Breaker | What Is Concrete Bond Breaker | What is Bond Breaker Tape

Concrete Resurfacing

• Concrete resurfacing is the process to provide a brand new look to damaged concrete.
• In the process of resurfacing of concrete, a concrete coating is applied on the surface of existing concrete.
• Concrete resurfacing is a time-consuming process, and it’s very much labour-intensive process so, it’s a little bit expensive also.
• In this process, a special bonding agent is added to the cement mixture to get a smooth cementing surface.

Also, Read: How is Concrete Made | What is Concrete | Components of Concrete | How to Mix Concrete

Types of Concrete Resurfacing

Types of Concrete Resurfacing are as follows

• Stamped Overlays
• Pool Deck Resurfacing
• Concrete Crack Repair
• Driveway Repair
• Resurfacing Patios
• Resurfacing Products

#1. Stamped Overlays

• Stamped overlays is a type of concrete resurfacing which gives us aesthetic beauty and texture. This is only used on existing concrete.

#2. Pool Deck Resurfacing

• This is the process to repair damaged concrete. This process is a tiny layer of cement, sand, polymer and resin.

#3. Concrete Crack Repair

• This is one of the most important processes where repair materials are poured into cracks.

#4. Driveway Repair

• Naturally driveway doesn’t need repairs, but sometimes it requires.

#5. Resurfacing Patios

• This is done by the cement-based overlay, which is durable and strong.

#6. Resurfacing Products

• In this type, there are many types of readymade resurfacing products available in the marketplace.

Also, Read: What Is Mix Design of Concrete | Nominal Mix | Design Mix| Difference Between Nominal Mix and Design Mix