Frequently Asked Questions About Resurfacing

 

 Q: How does your product differ from regular concrete for overlays?

 A: Well, to start with we don’t use regular concrete. We use what is called modified cement. It is a white Portland based cement that is fortified with acrylics and copolymer resins.

 Q: Okay, what’s the difference between concrete and cement?

A: Concrete and cement are often confused with each other. Think of Cement as glue with sand. More specifically, it’s a hydraulic product that sets and hardens when it chemically reacts with water. It’s kind of considered the glue that holds everything together. Concrete then, is cement that has some form of aggregate, like gravel or crushed stone, in it. Pretty much everything you see, from sidewalks to pool patios to house foundations, is concrete.

 Q: Why is what you use better?

A: There are a lot of answers to that question. First, cement that has been fortified /modified with acrylics and copolymers is much stronger than regular concrete; roughly twice the compressive strength of regular concrete. Compressive strength, or PSI, is the most popular and important rating of concrete. Our products are also 2-3 times stronger in Flexural Strength and Tensile Strength.  Second, it’s way more beautiful. When we resurface an area we are basically starting with a new white canvass. To that almost any color, texture or pattern can be applied. Another answer to that question is that it’s cheaper, cheaper than replacement that is. If you call in a regular concrete guy, 9 out of 10 times they will tell you that you need to tear out and replace what you have. That is just not true in most cases. Usually we can repair cracks, chips, spalling and delamination for a fraction of the cost of replacement. And probably the best part of resurfacing that is often overlooked is the fact that it’s sealed. This inhibits the growth of mildew, keeps the surface from wearing down and makes it almost non-porous. That means that in the winter, if you absolutely have to use that salt that we all knows eats concrete, you are putting it on a sealed surface!!

 Q: How much of this stuff are you going to put down?

A: This is a question we get on almost every job. Most customers assume we are going to put down an inch or two of product and are concerned about changes in the surface level. We put down between 1/16^th and 1/3^rd of an inch on a good surface. On areas that need more we can add up to 2 inches without the addition of aggregate.

 Q: Is it common for concrete to crack?  Certainly, but in most cases we can fix them or minimize them to the point that they won’t be noticeable.

 Q: What type of maintenance do your products require?

A:  Well that depends. For interior floors it’s a good idea to hit it every so often with a good floor wax like NCL ONE, similar to what we put down as the final step on our interior jobs. Probably once or twice a year would be plenty depending on your personal preference for maintaining a shine. And how often you need to do it depend on the traffic. For exterior surfaces we recommend resealing every 3-4 years, not unlike what you would do with your driveway.  This takes us to another important questions which is actually hardly ever asked.

Q: Does regular concrete need to be sealed?

A: The answer is absolutely it does, if you want it to last. Most people think “Well I’ve never sealed my concrete before”. And that’s true, most people don’t. And that’s why there is so much ugly, worn, stained and spalled concrete around. Here’s a test… Can you see all the dark aggregate on the surface of your concrete slab? If so, all that top layer of cement has eroded away. If it had been sealed, this would not have happened.

 Q: Can’t I just buy some paint at like, a Home Depot and paint it?

 A: PLEASE don’t do this. First of all, unless you use the right paint/sealer it will never adhere properly. The other common problem customers encounter is that they don’t understand all that’s involved in preparing the surface to accept new material. The surface needs to be power-washed with a very high power washer, or acid washed to open the pours, or often hit with a mechanical grinder. Short of that, it’s kind of like trying to ice a cake that’s all full of crumbs. I can’t tell you how many jobs I’ve done where the customer finally gives up after painting their concrete every year because it never stops flaking or peeling.

 Q: I’ve heard that it’s very difficult to get new concrete to bond to old concrete. How do I know this won’t flake off?

A: Very important question for both of us!  The first reason there is a high failure rate is that most masons or concrete people don’t take the time to prepare the surface properly. The devil is truly in the detail.  The surface must be thoroughly cleaned via mechanical or chemical means. Next reason why our products adhere where others fail is that our products are created by substituting the regular aggregate in concrete with proprietary polymers, crossed linked polymers and acrylics. The silica, or sand, is replaced with a graded and shaped fine quartz aggregate. Our products bond chemically and mechanically to properly prepared or profiled surfaces.

 

Q: Can all concrete be resurfaced?

A: I wish I could say yes but the fact is that, in many cases, the concrete is too far gone to fix economically. Could we fix it? Sure! But the material we use is expensive, so sometimes it’s just not cost effective. You don’t want to pay 25% more to resurface a bad slab than it would cost to have it replaced with a new one. And we won’t be shy about telling you that either.

 

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Trying to answer that question precisely would be like quessing how many fingers you’re holding up over the phone. Many factors go into determining the price including condition of existing surface, type of overlay you want and how elaborate you want it. But click here for a more detailed discussion on price.

Generally $5-15.00 per square foot

 Q:What other benefits are there to concrete resurfacing:

A:Well here are a few really substantial reasons to resurface:

1)     When you have, let’s say a pool deck replaced with new concrete, consider for a minute the total cost of replacement. You need to pay to have a crew rip out the old concrete. You need to pay to have the contractor dispose of that old concrete. Then you need to pay to have your lawn redone after they’ve driven all their heavy equipment over it. When we resurface your concrete all you pay for, usually, is the cost of the resurfacing.

2)     For exterior jobs all surfaces are sealed with a high strength clear sealer. This makes it extremely resistant to salts, which some people still insist on using in the winter, oils and other stains. It’s virtually non-porous which makes it mold resistant and simple to clean. Usually just a garden hose and maybe a little mild detergent will clean it fine.

3)     It adds value to your home. No doubt about it!

 These are just a large handful of questions we get on a regular basis. Many other questions are answered somewhere else on our web site. But if you still have a question, then PLEASE email us and ask.