Resurfacing Concrete Driveways: How to Resurface Concrete Driveways

It is quite a common sight these days - your driveway, a silky smooth concrete beauty not too long ago, is now all cracked, potholed, wrecked and a sight that you're unable to look at. Extreme temperatures, rain and atmospheric factors subject concrete driveways to a considerable amount of wear and tear. So what do you do in this situation? What are your options?

To start with, you have the option of reconstructing the entire driveway, but that will cost you a bomb. Instead, you wonder whether it could be possible to repair just the damaged section of the driveway, and in the process, save some dough. Well, you've hit the nail on the head my friend! Repairing or resurfacing your concrete driveway can help you save up to 50% of the total cost, that you would otherwise have incurred in reconstructing it entirely. Suddenly, resurfacing makes a lot more sense, doesn't it? Yes, it sure does and here's how to go about it.

Resurfacing Concrete Driveways

Procedure

1. The entire process is divided into 2 phases: repairing and resurfacing. The primary step in the repairing phase is to clean the concrete surface, thoroughly.
2. For this purpose, it is best to use a strong hose pipe with adequate water pressure. Spray the water into the cracks and holes to remove all the dust, dirt and loose debris. Additionally sweep the area with a firm brush, if necessary.
3. The next step is to repair the cracks that have developed. This is done by first priming the cracks and then filling them with elastomeric repair material.
4. After this, the cracks are reinforced with fabric, after which an elastomeric basecoat is applied over the cracked surface.
5. Multiple patches of polymer concrete are then laid out onto the cracked surface, after which these patches are ground to make them smooth and in level with the surrounding surface.
6. Potholes if any, are filled with epoxy mortar and then leveled and left to dry. This marks the end of the repairing phase.
7. In the first step of the resurfacing phase, a prime coat and a granule broadcast are applied evenly over the entire area that is to be resurfaced.
8. The next step involves applying a texture coat over the entire area. For this purpose, ultra surface polymer concrete is first prepared, according to the specifications mentioned on the package. It is then sprayed evenly onto the concrete surface using a special type of spray gun.
9. It is very important that the above layers be evened out properly. Hence, it is necessary to smoothen and level the surface with a trowel. Remember to use proper hand gloves and footwear while doing so, else you might end up being stuck in the concrete!
10. If you fancy a colored driveway, then you might consider applying a coat of color on top of the surface. Finally, apply a layer of seal coat and leave it for drying.

Resurfacing a concrete driveway can be a physically demanding and time consuming task. If you feel it is beyond your limits, you can always hire professional concrete contractors to do the job for you. Resurfacing is a good home improvement option as it saves a lot of money, adds to the visual appeal of the landscape and also takes less time as compared to other methods.