Concrete resurfacing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What concrete resurfacing is

Concrete resurfacing puts a thin overlay or coating on an existing slab to renew its look and surface without tearing it out. People choose it when the slab is structurally sound but faded, stained, pitted or scaled, and when replacing it would cost more or mean a longer disruption.

Signs you need it

  • The surface is pitted, scaled or worn in high traffic spots, but the slab itself is not cracked or heaved
  • The concrete has faded or stained from oil, tire marks or years of weather, and you want a fresh look
  • A plain slab needs a textured finish for better footing around a pool, a patio or a walkway
  • You want a color change or a stone-like look on an existing patio, driveway or walk
  • Hairline cracks and small surface defects remain after the slab has settled, and the top layer needs renewing
  • The slab is in good structural condition, and the only problem is the look and the surface wear

What the pro does

  • Test the existing slab for bond, sound surface and moisture, since the overlay will only stick to a clean and stable base
  • Clean the slab by grinding or shot blasting to open the surface and remove old sealers, oil and loose material
  • Repair cracks, spalls and low spots with a patching material that is compatible with the overlay
  • Mix and apply a bonding primer or a thin polymer modified overlay in even passes across the surface
  • Texture, trowel or stamp the overlay while it is still workable, and add color or stain as the design calls for
  • Let the overlay cure, then apply a sealer and keep the surface free of traffic until it has hardened

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total area, since a large driveway takes more material and time than a small walk or patio
  • The condition of the existing slab, because heavy repairs, oil stains or delamination add time before the overlay can go on
  • Whether the surface needs to be ground or blasted to open it up, which changes the prep work
  • The finish you want, such as a smooth coat, a broom texture, a stamped pattern or added color
  • Edge work along walls, curbs and garage doors, which is slower to finish by hand
  • Access, cleanup and whether the work must be done in a narrow window of dry, mild weather

What a written quote should spell out

  • Area to be resurfaced and the prep method, such as grinding, shot blasting or acid etching
  • Crack and spall repair, listed separately, with the patching material named
  • The overlay or coating product, the number of coats and the finish or texture
  • Color, stain or stamp pattern, and whether samples are provided before work starts
  • The sealer used and the cure time before vehicles or furniture can use the surface
  • Warranty terms for the overlay, stated in writing, and what it does not cover

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How will you check that the old slab will bond to the overlay before you start?
  • What prep do you use, and will the surface be ground or blasted to open the pores?
  • Which overlay product do you use, and how thick is the finished layer?
  • How do you handle the cracks that are still moving or the spots where the slab has settled?
  • Will you show me a sample of the color and texture on my slab before you commit?
  • How long must the surface cure before vehicles or furniture can use it?
  • What is covered by the warranty, and what would void it?

Red flags

  • Skips the prep step and says the new coat will bond to any surface
  • Promises the overlay will hide every crack and never show a crack again
  • Offers a resurfacing job on a slab that is heaved, sunk or failing structurally, which needs a different fix
  • Works in cold or wet weather without a plan for the overlay to cure correctly
  • Does not give a sample or a clear description of the finished look

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clean a small patio or walk with a pressure washer and a degreaser, which is a safe first step before any overlay. Hire a pro for grinding, patching, overlay application and staining, since the material cures quickly and is hard to correct once it starts to set. Resurfacing products contain strong chemicals, so wear chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection and a respirator rated for the product.

Licenses and permits

Resurfacing is commonly done by licensed contractors in many areas, and it can need a permit if it changes the grade or the drainage of the surface. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, particularly if the slab is structural or the job touches drainage.

Concrete resurfacing questions

Will a resurfaced slab last as long as a new one?

A resurfaced slab can look new for years, but the overlay is a surface layer, so its life depends on the slab underneath and the prep. A slab with active movement or water damage will show the problem through the new surface.

Can resurfacing hide the cracks in my driveway?

Resurfacing can cover fine surface cracks and make them far less visible. Cracks that open or move are likely to show through again, so the pro should repair them first and tell you which ones may come back.

How long do I have to stay off the surface?

The wait depends on the product, the weather and the number of coats, so ask for the schedule in writing. Most overlays need enough time to harden before foot traffic, and vehicles and furniture should wait longer.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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