A concrete overlay flattens the surface and eliminates cracks and other damage.
With concrete surfaces agnate sidewalks and driveways, you are bound to bonanza cracks and gouges at some speck during the date you convenience these areas. Many times, diminutive cracks or damage can be all-inclusive using basic epoxy or cement patches, nevertheless when an full surface is scarred or damaged, a concrete overlay may be the peak suggestion. An overlay covers the unabridged surface with latest concrete to fill in gaps and flatten the earth. As extensive as the structural purity of your concrete is all the more trustworthy, you can practice the overlay closest careful mixing and use techniques.
Instructions
1. Once you have finished the first section, add another foam or wooden board 10 feet from the first and repeat all steps. Continue until you have overlayed the entire area.12.
Vacuum the concrete surface with a wet/dry vacuum to remove minor pieces of dust and concrete debris. You must remove all debris before you can levy the overlay, or you Testament action uneven areas.
3. Column the universe on which you Testament place the overlay with ½ inch thick plywood pieces, stacked to the akin at which you appetite the overlay to put. Whether essential, rip the boards on a table axiom or Spike multiple boards cool to arrive the desired heighth. This Testament ice an still calm for your concrete.
4. Soak the geriatric concrete slab with flood so that it is completely wet nailed down. Include the slab with plastic sheeting so that the moisture soaks into the concrete and does not evaporate. Saturating the concrete slab before you break ground your overlay allows the overlay to dry slowly and prevents the aged concrete from absorbing the moisture of the contemporary. Grant the irrigate to sit for Day and night before continuing.
5. Remove the plastic sheeting. Dry any puddles that behind on the surface with a rag; the concrete should be rainy on the other hand not wet or puddling.
6. Combine the dry ingredients for your overlay in a wheelbarrow. For overlays one inch or thinner, alloy three parts sand to one atom Portland cement; you Testament demand approximately seven bags of cement for every cubic yard you commitment to incorporate. For thicker overlays, homogenize two parts pea gravel, one chip sand and one bit cement. Add Sufficiently flood to accord the brew the consistency of thick oatmeal. It should not escape, on the contrary you should be able to spread it easily and it should acquire no clumps of info.
7. Mingle one part fine sand and one part Portland cement in a separate bucket. This separate batch is for the paint or glue that will go on first and help your overlay bond to the old concrete surface. Add enough water to this mixture to give it the consistency of a rich, undiluted paint.
8. Set a foam or wooden board about 10 feet from your starting area, so that you can work in sections for easier overlaying. The board should run perpendicular to the guide boards on the side, creating a boundary that separates sections so that your concrete doesn't dry before you have a chance to level it. Spread the paint mixture over the first section, using a mason's trowel to cover all parts with a thin (1/8 to 1/4 inch) layer of the paint. Cover only an area that you can easily cover with overlay within five minutes, or the paint mixture will become too dry.
9. Immediately spread the thicker concrete mixture over the painted area. Pour until it fills the area up to the top of your guideline boards and flatten the surface with a mason's trowel.
10. Set a straight piece of wood over the top of the guideline boards, running perpendicular to the guidelines. This is known as a screed. Scrape the wood across the top of the overlay to flatten the surface completely. Scrape from your starting point to wood or foam separator you used. Fill in any low areas you find and scrape again, until the surface is completely flat. Allow the first section to dry for half an hour, or until you can imprint it with your thumb only about 1/16 inch.
11. Drag a broom across your concrete surface to give the concrete a rough consistency. You can also use a flat wood float, working in circular motions for a swirling consistency pattern. Hose down the concrete surface to remove dirt and debris. Look the surface and remove any loose pieces of concrete. Provided exigent, application a chisel and hammer to chip of pieces that are loose on the other hand even attached.2.
Spray the entire overlayed surface with concrete curing compound, or cover the surface with plastic sheeting for five days. This will ensure that the concrete cures slowly for optimal strength. Lightly mist the surface with water once per day, for five days. Your overlay is now finished and dry.
