Chipped concrete can be a major eyesore, but it doesn't have to be a permanent problem. With the right approach, you can repair and re-pave chipped concrete in several ways. You can buy products that apply a very thin layer on concrete, or you can have your concrete re-clad with an overlay. Boot and replacement of the entire slab is also an option.
Descaled concrete is usually fixed with a cement-concrete coating layer. A good concrete resurfacing product such as the Semco concrete resurfacing machine can fill cracks, repair gaps and coat concrete without having to remove it. After re-coating the concrete, to prevent further flaking, it is recommended to use a waterproof concrete sealing system. Small chips can be repaired in a matter of hours, while larger areas can take several days to fully repair.
Be patient with the job, as ample curing and hardening time is essential to ensure a good repair that lasts for years. To fix a concrete wall that is chipping, you must first cut the concrete around the chipped area. This product will enter the pores of the concrete and provide a crystallization that does not allow the movement of water through the concrete. Use the bull float immediately, but wait until the concrete hardens before using the edger and broom. In addition, the water added during the finishing process can dilute the amount of Portland cement in the upper layer of the concrete.
That said, although it can last for decades, concrete doesn't usually last without at least a modest amount of care and maintenance. In order for this stucco to permanently adhere to chipped concrete, the old concrete must be clean and solid, with all the loose concrete detached. Splinters can also be avoided if concrete is handled with care and appropriate techniques are used when pouring, such as providing adequate concrete coverage (embedding) of rebar and placing joints in the right places and at the right distances. Weakened concrete is more susceptible to cracking and crumbling, and vertical structures, such as walls or columns, can completely collapse if peeling becomes severe. Fortunately, peeling can be easy to repair without the need to completely replace all of the affected concrete. The advantage of using this method is that it not only repairs peeling concrete, but also prevents flaking problems from reappearing. This is best for large areas with extensive peeling and will rejuvenate the concrete to a like new appearance. If you encounter chipped concrete and are not sure how old the concrete is or how and when it was poured, consider contacting a structural engineer or similar professional to come and assess the structural integrity of the surface. Common mistakes that lead to chipped or peeling concrete include adding too much water to the mix to facilitate pouring; spraying the concrete surface with water to prolong the finishing time; and not curing the concrete properly after installation.
The reason why concrete survived the thaw salts is that it was properly mixed, laid, finished and cured.
