Take these steps to properly repair existing concrete on your property.
Whether you’re maintaining the hardscaping around your home or keeping the sidewalks around a business safe for your customers and employees, it is important to monitor the state of your concrete surfaces regularly and repair them whenever they’re damaged. Cracks, rough or uneven surfaces, and other damage can pose a dangerous trip-and-fall hazard that not only endangers people but also could leave you liable financially. One good way to repair cracked and damaged concrete is with a concrete overlay. A concrete overlay is a much less time-consuming and less expensive solution than concrete replacement. Read on to learn more about this important method of repair and resurfacing.
How Does It Work?
Most people assume that if you have severely damaged concrete surfaces, you need to cut out the damaged portion or demolish and remove the entire slab and re-pour a whole new one. This is extremely time consuming and expensive. In many cases, home and business owners simply take the risk of someone falling because they don’t have the budget for a whole new sidewalk or surface. In many cases, however, surface damage can be corrected by removing loose pieces, cleaning and prepping the remaining concrete, and pouring a new surface on top. This new surface can be up to an inch thick, allowing it to have whatever finished surface appearance you prefer. This overlay can be troweled, swept, or even stamped.
When Is An Overlay The Right Choice?
As with any process, an overlay is not always going to be possible, but in many cases it will be a great alternative to replacing existing concrete. When the damage is on the surface, such as superficial cracking, or an upper layer that is cracking and peeling up, an overlay can help. Overlays are also a good solution for a concrete surface that is stained and ugly but otherwise sound. If your floor is almost but not quite level, an overlay can also help that – in fact, there is self-leveling concrete designed specifically for this.
Will It Last?
The concrete overlay is designed from concrete and special polymers to help it fuse to the original surface and last for many, many years, as long as the original surface was prepared correctly and the overlay was professionally and correctly installed. Once the overlay is on, you should also make sure that you seal it with concrete sealer to keep it beautiful and strong for years to come.
Concrete Visions Will Get The Job Done Right
Concrete Visions has been working with clients for over 25 years. Our G&M Services installers are certified with the industry’s major firestop product manufacturers. As part of our firestop service, we can assess abnormal field conditions and, with the manufacturer’s technical support assistance, provide engineering judgments in a timely fashion to comply with contract specifications. Our Field Mechanics undergo ongoing training, including mandatory monthly safety meetings, weekly Toolbox Talks where safety and equipment information is shared, and training on safe work standards and safety best practices.