How to Resurface a Concrete Driveway Like a Pro
Make your driveway look as good as new
- 5-gallon bucket
- Trowel
- Concrete broom
- Squeegee
- Paintbrush
- Concrete resurfacer
- Concrete repair kit (optional)
- Concrete crack filler (optional)
- Pressure washer detergent
A cracked or crumbling concrete driveway isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind when driving up to your charming abode. But, if your driveway has seen better days, resurfacing the concrete could return your home to its former glory. The best part is that you might not need a pro to resurface the concrete. Follow this guide to learn how you can resurface a concrete driveway yourself.
Before Resurfacing a Concrete Driveway
Knowing when to resurface your driveway can help you prepare for a smooth project. With this in mind, here's what you need to know about planning a resurfacing project.
Consider the Weather and Time of Year
When you decide to resurface your concrete driveway can make or break your project. Apply a resurfacer when it's too cold, and the concrete could weaken; apply it when it's too hot, and the resurfacer may dry before you're finished spreading it or crack. Avoid applying a concrete resurfacer when:
There's a chance of temperatures dropping below 50 degrees Fahrenheit
It's above 80 degrees Fahrenheit
It's raining or very windy
Clean the Driveway
Photo: BackyardProduction / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesCleaning your driveway is the first step toward a good-as-new concrete driveway. Power through dirt, grime, oil, and old, crumbly concrete using a pressure washer with a pressure level of around 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). Make sure you wear goggles, ear protection, long sleeves, boots, and gloves to protect yourself when using a power washer. Also, keep pets and children away from the area.
Repair the Concrete
Photo: kalpis / Adobe StockBefore you can begin resurfacing your concrete driveway, you'll first need to repair any damaged concrete. To repair your driveway, use a repair kit to fix crumbled sections and a concrete crack filler to fix cracked sections.
Dampen the Concrete Surface (Optional)
If it's a hot day, give your driveway a quick spray with your garden hose before you apply a concrete resurfacer. Doing so helps cool the concrete down, giving you more time to work with the concrete resurfacer. Be sure to sweep away any excess water.
Keep in mind, if you used a power washer to clean your driveway in the first step, then you might not need to use a hose to dampen the concrete, as it's already damp from the pressure washing.
Prepare the Resurfacing Compound
Photo: fotodrobik / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesMixing the concrete resurfacer is one of the most important steps to getting the perfect resurfaced concrete driveway. Much like mixing cocoa powder in room temperature water, mixing concrete resurfacer with water can be lumpy. The best way to mix a concrete resurfacer is by using a paddle mixer and drill rather than hand mixing.
Resurfacers have a different consistency than your standard concrete—aim for a loose, syrup-like consistency. Using a five-gallon bucket, follow the instructions on your resurfacing compound to ensure that you have the right ratio. Most resurfacing compounds require one part water and seven parts concrete resurfacer.
Pour the Resurfacing Compound onto the Driveway
Photo: constantgardener / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesPour the resurfacing compound onto the concrete driveway in small sections, using a trowel for smaller applications or a masonry brush for larger applications. You’ll want the mixture to be roughly 1/16 to 1/4 of an inch in thickness.
Once you've poured the resurfacer onto your concrete driveway, time is of the essence. Concrete resurfacers only stay malleable for around 30 minutes on a moderately warm day. If it's 75 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter outside, then the resurfacer will dry more quickly. So, factor in the weather as you're tackling your driveway.
If you have concerns about managing a larger driveway in only 30 minutes tops, consider dividing your driveway up into sections and applying the resurfacer one section at a time. Quikrete recommends sectioning up your concrete surface to no larger than 144 square feet.
Make It Slip Resistant (Optional)
Photo: Wendy Kaveney / Adobe StockYou can also create a slip-resistant finish by brushing the driveway with a concrete brush before it dries. Sweep the brush across the surface in one direction so that the resurfacing material looks uniform.
Finish the Edges
Go in with a paintbrush to touch up the edges of your concrete driveway. This will give the surface that added extra touch that really pulls together the appearance of your driveway.
Wait for the Compound to Cure
All that's left now is to simply wait for the concrete resurfacing compound to cure. It can take around six hours before the concrete is ready for you to walk on it. You'll need to wait a full 24 hours to park your car on a resurfaced driveway. But to be on the safe side, you might want to wait a complete 48 hours before you drive your car onto the driveway.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Resurface Your Concrete Driveway
Resurfacing a concrete driveway is a fairly simple task that most avid DIY enthusiasts can handle. It requires few supplies, making for an affordable project that can be completed in a single day. And once you know how to resurface your driveway, you can also resurface other areas, like your concrete patio or walkway.
There are times, however, when it may be a good idea to work with a professional. If your concrete driveway is in really bad shape, you may need to hire a concrete driveway pro near you to fix large cracks or crumbling concrete. From there, it’s easier to have your pro resurface your driveway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you resurface or replace your concrete driveway depends on the condition and age of your driveway. Concrete that's over 20 years old may need replacing, while newer concrete may benefit more from resurfacing.
How well you maintain your concrete driveway also plays a role here. If you stay on top of sealing your driveway every three to five years, then your concrete may only have minor repairs that can be fixed compared to concrete that hasn't been sealed and has significant damage.
Resurfaced concrete can last anywhere from eight to 15 years on average. Just how long your resurface concrete driveway lasts depends on how often you seal the concrete, the amount of traffic, how well the concrete resurfacer was applied, and even the soil quality. Poor soil that led to premature cracks in your existing concrete can quickly lead to even more cracks and problems if you don’t fix the root cause of the cracked concrete.
While you don’t technically need to grind concrete before resurfacing, it is very helpful. Grinding creates a rough, porous surface on the concrete, which gives the resurfacing material something to latch onto. Grinding your concrete before resurfacing can ensure that your resurfacing material lasts longer, reducing additional concrete resurfacing costs down the line.
