
If you are considering replacing concrete because of delamination, consider a concrete overlay instead. An overlay is a thin layer of cementitious. Here is the finished product: Repaired Concrete These are still being done today but the process now involves more decorative options, like concrete overlays. So there is a definite difference in strength and tolerance.

of our products, that would take us at least 2 hours. It was easy to grind and we were finished 200 sq. When we started grinding this last job we realized that the concrete used was very soft. At 28 days when it is fully cured they far surpass the psi ratings of concrete. The polymer product we use have psi ratings of that surpass concrete just after seven days. What we did to remedy this was to use a concrete overlay as a protective coating which can sustain much more abuse that concrete alone. Concrete can withstand a lot of abuse, but it is not bullet proof. The carts have rigid wheels and are heavy on their own, fill them with boxes and paper, then they become even more damaging.

#BEST CONCRETE OVERLAY FREE#
Day in and day out, this area is beaten up by carts filled to the brim with mail. Browse through this set of paid & free concrete textures with tons of grunge, photorealistic and distressed images. This problem is not necessarily concrete failure so much as it is a usage issue. In this image you can see the issue at hand: Delaminating Concrete We were called to repair delaminating concrete on a loading dock. Many of us think of concrete as being almost indestructible but truth be told, it has it’s life expectancy and tolerance level. On our last job we had a different delamination issue and that is due to over use. Yes, concrete can fail due to many circumstances from improper mixing and placement to whether temperatures etc. When we are talking delaminating concrete, it depends on the circumstances whether or not failure is the the noun we should be using.

Failure may not always be the best explanation of the word. It is basically a fancy word for failure.
#BEST CONCRETE OVERLAY HOW TO#
We hope you can save some time and effort for yourself and your customers by knowing how to apply a concrete overlay.Let’s start this article with a brief explanation of delamination. A sealant helps ensure the new surface lasts for years to come. When applying new concrete to repair a driveway, walkway, or patio, you typically finish with a brush or other means of creating a nice flat finished surface.įinally, you’ll want to seal the new surface. Then go ahead and apply that final coating. If you do sand for a product designed as a multi-coat process, you often need to reprime after sanding. Most of the time, this involves a floor sander or similar tool designed to take off any ridges and smooth surface ready for any finish coating. Use a diamond disc or concrete scraper to smooth the surface to the desired smoothness or to prep for the second coat if necessary. As with the acid resurfacer, this is more significant when you apply a thin concrete overlay compared to a new slab.Īfter the new concrete sets, you’ll want to sand or scrape the floor till it’s smooth. Making sure the existing floor is as level and smooth as possible will make for a better-finished product.
#BEST CONCRETE OVERLAY PATCH#
Next, you’ll want to patch large spalling or scaling. These are areas missing large chunks of material that need to be filled. Basically, a concrete densifier is a chemical you would apply to a concrete surface in order to fill pores. Densifiers prevent moisture migration through the existing floor. You might also consider applying a densifier, like these, to make the concrete less porous. This is particularly important when you plan to apply a thin concrete overlay as opposed to new slabs. Then, you’ll want to profile the existing floor with an acid made for concrete resurfacing or you can use diluted muriatic acid. Apply your acid with a push broom and wear appropriate clothing as well as breathing and eye protection. Apply with a push broom and then pressure wash the concrete. The first thing you’ll want to do is clean the existing floor with an appropriate detergent. Prepping for Applying Your Concrete Overlay

Similar to how you might apply a skim coat of plaster or mud using a trowel, the magic trowel gives you a nice way to apply a thin coat of concrete. The two tools deliver different finishes-and that determines which you want to use. It features a flexible blade and takes a little bit of technique to use it. Some call this a “magic trowel” or knockdown knife. Another tool more closely resembles a trapezoidal squeegee.
