Spalling concrete appears to become a huge problem, for homeowners as well as cities and building owners. As a result, many consumers find that the concrete sidewalks leading to their homes look like the ones in this picture. Others like myself are finding that their cement garage floors are spalling and look terrible. The good news is that they can be fixed. You just have to find the right solution to make the repair. The following steps are a brief summary of what to do to repair your side-walk or your garage floor. Note that local conditions may dictate when you do this repair work. For example outside work should be completed in dry conditions, with less wind, and on a cloudy day to achieve the best results. Temperatures should be well above freezing.
Spalling Concrete Repair
- Thoroughly Clean the concrete floor with a blower to remove all loose dust and any other material that may be present.
- Use a pressure washer to dislodge loose particles that are about to lift up from the floor as well as remove other stains that could prevent the new concrete from binding
- If there are oil stains, these need to be removed by removing the concrete or by using an acid to provide clean unsoiled concrete.
- Use a blower again to clear off all loose particles that might remain
- Mix one part Portland cement and two parts sand to a thick consistency like thick applesauce. Course sand can be used to provide a rougher surface if needed.
- Apply cement paint to the surface to act as a glue to help the cement – sand mixture adheres to the existing concrete
- Apply cement to the surface immediately before cement paint dries from 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick to fully hide all spalling areas. If you are doing a sidewalk, you will want to install a form on either side. This will help ensure the proper thickness is applied.
- Allow it to thoroughly dry before using
For more ideas and repairs you can do yourself around the home, click here.