Concrete resurfacing in Pittsburgh, PA
Road salt and freeze-thaw eat the top of Pittsburgh concrete first. If the slab underneath is solid, concrete refacing with a polymer overlay can give you a new surface at about half the price of tearing it out. If it isn't solid, an overlay won't last, and we will tell you that. A concrete overlay is how we refinish a driveway, porch or patio that is worn but still solid.
Job ticket: Concrete Resurfacing
- Thickness
- Skim to 1/2 in
- Needs
- Sound, level slab
- Time
- 1 to 3 days
- Life
- 8 to 15 years
Rough guide$4 to $10 per sq ft
What resurfacing can fix
- Light flaking and scaling from road salt
- Pitting and worn broom finish
- Stains and mismatched patches
- Tired porch floors and steps
- Faded pool decks and patios
- A plain slab that needs a better look
What it cannot fix
An overlay is a thin skin. It will follow whatever the slab does. Cracks that move will come back through the new surface. A slab that has sunk will stay sunk. Heavy scaling that goes deep means the concrete has lost strength. If water is running under the slab, the overlay can lift off.
That is why we tap and inspect first. Hollow spots show up as a dull sound, and they need fixing or cutting out. If the slab is sunken but sound, concrete leveling comes first. If it fails those checks, we will show you why a new pour is the better spend. For a straight answer on the numbers, ask us for both prices.
How resurfacing works
Preparation decides whether an overlay lasts. We pressure wash, grind off any old sealer or paint and open up the surface so that the new material can bond. Cracks and low spots are repaired first. Joints are marked and kept open, so the overlay can move with the slab. Then a polymer-modified cement is troweled or squeegeed on in one or two thin coats, with a broom, stamped or trowel finish. A sealer goes on after it cures.
Resurfacing, sealing or replacing?
| Your concrete | Best option |
|---|---|
| Sound, just dull or dirty | Clean and seal |
| Sound, surface flaking | Resurface |
| Sunken but in one piece | Level, then seal |
| Cracked into many pieces | Replace |
| Crumbles when scraped | Replace |
Keeping an overlay looking good
Keep it sealed every few years, use a de-icer that is safe for concrete or just sand, and keep downspouts draining away from it. Plows and metal shovels can chip thin overlays, so a plastic shovel is the better choice. Most overlays last about 8 to 15 years with care.
How the work goes
- Sound the slab
We tap for hollow spots and check for movement.
- Clean and grind
We remove sealer and open up the surface so the overlay can grip.
- Repair and coat
Cracks and lows are fixed, then the overlay goes on.
- Finish and seal
We add the texture you want and seal it after it cures.
Common questions
How much does concrete resurfacing cost?
Usually $4 to $10 per square foot in the Pittsburgh area, depending on repairs and finish.
How much does it cost to resurface a concrete driveway?
A typical two-car driveway often runs $2,500 to $6,000. Stamped or decorative finishes cost more.
Can you pour concrete over concrete?
A thin bonded overlay is fine on a sound slab. A full new slab over old concrete needs at least a couple of inches and raises the height.
Can you pour concrete over existing concrete?
Yes, in some cases. The old slab must be sound, and doors, steps and drainage have to allow for the added height.
Can you pour concrete over an existing slab?
Yes, if it is stable. Cracks in the old slab can telegraph through, so we often use a bonded overlay or a reinforced layer.
Can you pour concrete over pavers?
We don't recommend it. Pavers shift, and the concrete will crack along with them.
Why is my concrete flaking?
Usually from freeze-thaw, road salt or a surface that was overworked when finished. Sealing helps, and resurfacing can repair it.
More concrete services
- concrete slabs in Pittsburgh
- concrete garage floors
- concrete basement floors
- concrete flatwork
- exposed aggregate concrete
- concrete footers
- shed slabs and hot tub pads
- concrete leveling in Pittsburgh
- concrete sealing
- epoxy garage floors
- concrete removal