One of my most popular services is repairing old, crumbling concrete driveways using cement mortar to fill the cracks and covering the whole surface in one-part Epoxy, by BEHR.
Here is my process
Before cleaning off your driveway, I will cut back any sod and shrubberies that are growing over the edges of the concrete. Once I have pressure washed and degreased your concrete driveway, I will fill all of the cracks and sunken sections with new cement mortar. Then, I will apply several coats of grey, one-part epoxy, by BEHR.
The whole process can take anywhere from 3 to 10 days, depending on the square footage and the degree of the concrete’s deterioration. Due to the unpredictability of the weather, these work days may not be in consecutive order.
And here’s what the aftermath is like
Once I am done with the process, I will put up caution tape. You may walk on it after 1 day, but you must wait 7 whole days before subjecting it to vehicles and trash bins rolling over it. Please DO NOT use a pressure washer on this newly epoxied surface. Instead, to clean it, use a scrub brush, dish soap and a garden hose. Be sure to use a plastic snow shovel during the winter as a metal one will cause damage. Anti-skid powder is added to the epoxy to greatly reduce the chance of someone slipping, but please walk with caution during heavy rains and freezing temperatures. If you get studded tires in the winter, the studs will greatly damage the epoxy and a recoat will be needed after the tire studs are removed. Be careful when using weed whackers and edgers next to epoxied concrete as both can damage the finish and lead to peeling. Cardboard should be placed under car jacks when used on top of the epoxied surface.
Disclaimer and warranties
Concrete driveways receive more abrasive and chemical damage than any other surface on a residential property. From severe weather conditions, hot tires on heavy vehicles, chemicals dripping from cars, snow shovels, salts, studded tires, to dragging furniture and trash bins across them; concrete driveways take a serious beating every year. It is important to note that this resurfacing work I do is a maintenance solution and it will eventually require a new layer of epoxy. You are eligible for one free recoat within the first year, should it appear necessary. And recoats after one year are as little as 15% of the cost of your original bill for the job.
In the event that any premature chipping or peeling occurs, you will be left with some of the epoxy to perform occasional touchups.
To learn more about the product I use (one-part epoxy) please visit BEHR.com