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Wet the concrete with a fine mist of water from a garden hose. Spread a thin layer of concrete mix over the entire top of the concrete. Mix Portland cement and fine sand in a 1 to 2.5 ratio. Thin with enough water to make the mixture spreadable but still firm enough to stay on the surface of the concrete.
Can concrete be resurfaced?
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 does a bad concrete job look like?
This sign of poor workmanship looks like multiple air pockets and voids in the concrete. This may look like rough surfaces on the exterior but can present as dangerous empty spaces deep inside the cement.
Can you pour new concrete over old concrete?
You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.
Can you fix a bad broom finish on concrete?
A. There are two things you can do fix the rough finish. One is, you could grind or polish the surface which would remove the rough broom finish and smooth the surface of the concrete. A concrete sealer could be applied with some grit additive to keep it from being too slippery when it gets wet.
Can you smooth out concrete?
Sand the Surface and Wash the Concrete Start with medium sandpaper to remove the most noticeable irregularities. Finish by fine-tuning with light sandpaper, until the surface is perfectly smooth. We recommend using a hand planer to smooth and compact the surface.
When should concrete be replaced?
A general rule of thumb to follow is if the concrete needs more than two inches of material to repair, it’s probably a good idea to just replace the concrete altogether. The extent of the damage is not the only factor that needs to be considered though. How long can your concrete be out of commission for?Feb 24, 2020.
How do you fix an uneven concrete sidewalk?
You have three options: coat the sunken section with a sand-and-cement mixture to make the surface higher, raise the sunken section using a process called mudjacking, or raise the sunken section using expanding polyurethane foam. Patching fixes the safety issue without costing much, but the patch is sure to show.
How do you resurface over exposed aggregate concrete?
How To Cover Old Aggregate Concrete: 11 Ideas Option One: Use A Surface Coating. Option Two: Use A Matting System And Sealant. Option Three: Use A Cover System. Option Four: Add A Mulch Top Layer. Option Five: Add Pavers. Option Six: Cover With Thin Brick Strips. Option Seven: Paint It. Option Eight: Use Tiles.
Can you resurface a concrete porch?
Your concrete patio or concrete porch can only be resurfaced once it is completely clean and smooth. In addition, in order for the overlay to bond to the existing concrete surface, a layer of cement paint will first need to be applied to the old concrete.
How do you get surface scratches out of concrete?
Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with enough warm water to make a thick paste. Scrub the scuffed area with the baking soda mixture, then rinse clean. Repeat if needed. You can also use Kool-Aid straight out of the packet (don’t add sugar).
Why is my concrete not smooth?
Concrete Too Dry Portland cement is the active ingredient in concrete, and cement needs sufficient moisture to cure with full strength. If troweling a sample pile of concrete doesn’t create a smooth, wet, muddy surface in three strokes of the trowel, your concrete is probably too dry.
How do you remove texture from concrete?
Scrub any sheetrock mud residue using the steel sponge and soapy water, or the rough side of a two-sided dish sponge for polished concrete floors. You may have to let the muddy residue soak for a few minutes before it can be completely removed.
Can you fix concrete after it dries?
Rain can pit concrete that is still drying and cause scaling. As concrete dries, one of the worst things that can happen is for rain to start falling. Most damage done to concrete by rain can be fixed by removing the affected layer with specialized tools.
Can I sand down concrete?
Sanding concrete is a professional work, and it’s better to get it done at the hands of experts. It’s tempting to take it as a DIY project, but you may leave behind several irregularities that’ll look bad. To ensure that your floor is perfectly smooth, hire a professional sander.
Can I grind down concrete?
Any pre-existing concrete can be ground down and smoothed with the right devices and skills. But, the ease and difficulty of the concrete grinding can vary depending on how old the slab is. In general, older concrete is much easier to grind.
Can you pour self-leveling concrete over existing concrete?
You can level an existing concrete floor with a leveling layer of new concrete, but you must prepare the old concrete floor first. Neglecting to prepare the old surface will prevent the new concrete from adhering correctly, resulting in a weak bond between the two layers.
What can I do with an uneven concrete patio?
For concrete patios that are only slightly uneven, a concrete leveling compound is often enough to relevel the slab. This process begins with a thorough cleaning of the concrete. This can be done in a few different ways, including using a pressure washer or a commercial acid-based concrete cleaner.