Resurfacing old concrete walkway and patio
#1
02-20-20, 08:52 AM
Resurfacing old concrete walkway and patio
Hello all- I bought a house that was built in 1961. The concrete walkways and patio are original to that time; they are still solid but in some spots badly pitted [1 1/2" inches in some areas]. They are still relatively smooth in other spots. I live in the northeast so it gets cold.
I'd like to resurface them because it's way to expensive to tear out a 750 sq ft patio and replace it, and it will look much better when completed. Do you think this is worth doing and do you think the resurfacing will last a while considering winters can be harsh?
Thank you
I'd like to resurface them because it's way to expensive to tear out a 750 sq ft patio and replace it, and it will look much better when completed. Do you think this is worth doing and do you think the resurfacing will last a while considering winters can be harsh?
Thank you
#2
02-20-20, 09:04 AM
Group Moderator
Will resurfacing last "a while" yes, a short while. You don't have "a" concrete slab. You have a series of smaller pieces of concrete. They may have all been one long ago but there is a lot of dirt and plant material between them now and it appears as though there has been movement. I suppose you could resurface each piece but edges are often a trouble spot. Making it worse is the flush on grade or below grade nature of the slabs.
At most I would clean the patio and walk with some light to moderate pressure washing. If the surface is spalling and pitting I would not be too aggressive as you could blast more of it away. Then any deep pits and cracks can be filled to reduce the trip hazard. Other than that I would start saving up for removal and a new patio.
At most I would clean the patio and walk with some light to moderate pressure washing. If the surface is spalling and pitting I would not be too aggressive as you could blast more of it away. Then any deep pits and cracks can be filled to reduce the trip hazard. Other than that I would start saving up for removal and a new patio.
#3
02-20-20, 09:09 AM
Member
Surface treatments work well inside, but outside in freeze thaw even the best epoxy based product have limits. The only thing you have going is that it's not a driveway with salt dripping off of cars.
Check with a local cement supplier, they would have access to materials and would be many times better than anything you will find at big box stores!
Check with a local cement supplier, they would have access to materials and would be many times better than anything you will find at big box stores!
#4
02-20-20, 10:03 AM
Darn! I had a feeling that it might not be worth the effort; it's such a game changer for the house to have a smooth patio. I'll have to figure something out
