According to research, concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. It’s durable, resilient, and versatile. It can also be used in a number of applications (including both indoor and outdoor flooring), but it’s not immune to damage. Cracks, surface defects, scaling, and other visible signs of deterioration can happen over time.  It can be the result of several different factors. Some of them can include:

• Freeze-thaw cycles.
• Exposure to acids and salts.
• Heavy traffic over sustained periods of time.

Concrete resurfacing is one of the methods used by builders and contractors to make damaged concrete look new again, but so is concrete replacement. If you have damaged concrete, you might be wondering which one is a better option.

Differences Between Concrete Resurfacing and Concrete Replacement

Concrete resurfacing is a process that involves adding a coating of concrete on top of an existing slab. You can also choose from a variety of colors, patterns, and textures. The entire process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few days (depending on how long the concrete takes to dry enough to allow foot traffic). Concrete resurfacing is a great option for floors that have small cracks, chips, or discoloration. But larger cracks must be fixed before a resurfacing product can be applied. The surface must also be level and not have any crumbling.

Concrete replacement is a better option if the surface has a large number of damaged areas. It’s also a better choice if your surface has any spalling, wide holes, or structural breaks. In this case, the old concrete is removed completely and is replaced with a new slab. It’s an ideal option for concrete surfaces that are at least 20 years old have been previously treated with resurfacing or patching. It’s a more permanent solution, especially if the surface experiences a great deal of traffic.

Industrial concrete mixes take 24-48 hours to set, but it takes approximately 28 days for it to cure well enough for it to be walked or driven over. Concrete replacement will last longer. Compared to resurfacing, it won’t need any repairs. It is, however, a more expensive option because you have to consider the time it takes to remove the existing concrete and pour a new slab.

What to Consider Before Replacing or Resurfacing Your Concrete

While replacing your concrete is a more permanent solution, not every type of damage requires a complete tear-down. But not every problem can be fixed with concrete resurfacing. You should consider the following factors before you make a decision on whether to replace or resurface your concrete:

• The condition of the concrete — This is an important step in determining whether it can be resurfaced or needs to be replaced. If the cracks are large and need more than two inches of material to repair, a concrete replacement might be a better option. But if the cracks are visible and the slab is still structurally sound, concrete resurfacing is a more ideal solution.
• The cause of the damage — Once you have looked at the extent of the damage, you need to identify the cause. If there are tree roots under the concrete, if you see signs of erosion, or you notice any indications of repeated exposure to extreme weather conditions, you might be better off replacing the entire slab.

Be sure to speak to a professional for more information.

The Advantages of Waterproofing a Concrete Surface

Our coating process involves the use of a tough fiberglass deck coating that has been reinforced with a metal lath, and it can be used over both new and previously-coated concrete surfaces. It will give you a durable deck that’s waterproof and resistant to degradation caused by UV radiation and freeze-thaw cycles. It will also provide a Class A and one hour fire resistant assembly. Our system is considered to be one of the fastest of its type on the market, with typical installations being completed in 1-2 days. This keeps labor costs down, which makes customers happy and construction schedules on track.

This three-step deck coating system can be used on practically any walking surface and can even be applied to plywood (in addition to concrete). We can also apply the coating over other deck surfaces (such as magnesite, diato, elastomeric, epoxy stone, and tiled decks). It has been in use since the early 1980’s, so it has been proven to create waterproofed surfaces that will stand the test of time.

If you’re looking for one of the best places for deck waterproofing in Los Angeles, be sure to reach out to the Fiber Coat Deck Company.