If your concrete driveway is crumbling and in need of repair, you don't have to tear it out and start from scratch. With the right materials and a bit of elbow grease, you can resurface your driveway and make it look like new. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get the job done. First, pour enough dry concrete mix into a 5-gallon bucket to repair any cracks or patch damaged areas. If the area isn't too large or deep, you can use a sand mix or a concrete resurfacer that doesn't contain gravel.
For larger or deeper areas, a standard concrete mix with gravel works best. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mix the resurfacer in the bucket. Next, wet the concrete but don't let puddles or standing water form. Pour the resurfacer onto the section of concrete you plan to work on first, then use a long-handled squeegee to spread it evenly across the slab. Finally, apply a slip-resistant finish with a concrete broom.
Make long passes across the work area in the same direction. You should be able to drive on your newly resurfaced driveway in about 24 hours. Fill any large cracks or holes with concrete patch, which is made with Portland cement and a unique blend of polymers and additives for added strength and durability. Cracks weaken the concrete and make it less resistant to natural forces like soil movement, water, and tree roots, as well as man-made forces like heavy equipment. If the joints were never sealed or if the old sealant has hardened, crumbled, or peeled away from the concrete in places, they won't be able to do their job properly. To prevent this from happening again, seal all joints with a quality sealant. If you're repairing concrete inside your home, it's a good idea to tape off the bottom metre (3 feet) of your walls.
This will protect them from any splashes or spills. To give your driveway a cleaner, more polished look, clean up small cracks, messy edges, and rough surfaces. You can also protect its new look with a sealer like Quikrete's Concrete & Masonry Waterproofing Sealer, which will prevent damage caused by acidic spills like vinegar or lemon juice. Keep in mind that even with all these precautions, there's still always a risk of developing cracks in concrete due to various factors. Therefore, we can't guarantee that cracks won't reappear or that new ones won't form.
