How to Restore Old Cement
Do you want to give your cement patio or driveway a facelift? Many people believe repairing old cement would be a cumbersome task, with most damage lasting the lifetime of the concrete. Actually, you can fix cracks, holes and stains fairly easily. A cement facelift will make your patio or driveway look like it had just been paved. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Power washer
- Concrete
- Concrete float
- Finishing trowel
- Garden hose
- Wire brush
Instructions
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Clean the concrete surface using a power washer. For many concrete surfaces, a thorough cleaning is all you need to restore it to a suitable condition. The concrete must also be completely free of debris before further repairs can be made.
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Repair cracks. Hairline cracks can be easily filled in by adding a small amount of Portland cement with a putty knife. Deeper cracks in sidewalks and driveways are more difficult to repair. The crack must be undercut, thoroughly cleaned and filled with a cement adhesive and cement. Driveways must carry a heavier weight load than a sidewalk and a gravel cement mix is required.
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Patch holes in the concrete with an epoxy mortar or latex cement. Clean and remove loose particles using a wire brush, wash with water and add the latex. Smooth the area using a trowel or float.
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Repair broken corners or edges. Moisten the corner with water and build a small form to hold the cement while it is drying. Use a latex or epoxy cement to create a new corner or edge.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider a stain or dye to add a new look to your cement.
Always check with local building codes before beginning a project.
Wear safety glasses when working with concrete.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
