How to Prepare a Slab for Concrete
Concrete is known for its durability, but a concrete slab can eventually give way. Weather and extensive use may leave it corroded, cracked, or uneven. A damaged concrete slab is unsightly and can also be dangerous to step on. Repair your slab by covering it with an overlay of fresh concrete. Ensure that the overlay will sufficiently adhere to the old slab by properly preparing the slab beforehand. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Pressure washer
- Muriatic acid
- Chisel
- Concrete epoxy (rigid formula)
- Form boards
- Corner stakes
- Level
- Square
- Vegetable oil
- Paintbrush
- Cement
Instructions
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1
Sweep the slab and remove all loose concrete.
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2
Clean the concrete with a pressure washer. Use muriatic acid to remove any old oil stains. Follow the directions and safety precautions on the bottle of muriatic acid. Rinse the concrete thoroughly with clean water.
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3
Fill the cracks with concrete epoxy. Push the epoxy in with a putty knife and smooth it on the surface.
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4
Build a wood form of two-by-sixes or two-by-eights around the slab for pouring the overlay. Place the boards as far out and as high up as you want the thickness of the overlay to be. Use a level to make sure the tops are even. Use a square to make sure the corners are 90-degree angles. Paint the inside of the form boards with vegetable oil so they will separate easily once the overlay has cured.
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5
Make a soupy mix of cement and water. Paint the entire slab with the mix just before pouring the overlay.
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