When redesigning your backyard deck or driveway, you may wonder if you can simply pour a new layer of concrete on superlative of the former layer. Yous may think you lot know a fleck about concrete and how it works, but there is a lot to consider before making this conclusion.

You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your erstwhile concrete, such every bit cracks or frost heaves, will behave over to your new concrete if not taken intendance of. In addition, you must cascade information technology at least 2 inches thick.

Pouring new concrete, no thing the circumstances tin be more of a headache than anticipated if you're not careful. With that said, you must know what you're doing earlier dealing with new physical joining existing physical.

Can Yous Put New Physical Over Sometime Concrete?

Y'all can put new concrete over former physical, however, there are many times you will not want to, including:

  • If at that place is a door or staircase that would be in the way of adding a few inches of cement
  • Tree roots are in the style, causing the existing concrete to elevator or motion.
  • Substantial cracks in the concrete or information technology is not level

In each of these situations, y'all should remove the quondam concrete, resolve the existing problem, such as removing the tree roots, and proceed with brand new concrete.

Simply, hither are some instances where yous can put new physical over old concrete:

  • Stepping stones or a pathway to a house
  • Basketball court or driveway

If you are able to pour new concrete over sometime physical, you probably want to know the risks you lot'd be taking by doing so. Though it can be useful, everything has its pros and cons. Below are a few cons you may want to consider:

  • Maintenance: As you can imagine, layering concrete on height of concrete tin eliminate the low maintenance that concrete is often admired for. For instance, pouring new concrete on an existing slab brings a chance of frost heaves to the equation. So, knowing how thick a physical slab should be, is a must for a good result.

Frost heaves are caused by the combination of freezing temperatures and the soil defrosting below. The fluctuation of the temperatures volition crusade lifting of the physical which will crusade cracks and separation.

As presently equally you spot harm, make certain to patch them immediately to avoid any spreading. It is also important to seal the new layer and prevent any water impairment past using a deep penetrating sealer. If all else fails, bring in a professional to see what the problem is.

  • Shorter Lifespan. Most concrete can last for many years, and in some cases, you may never have any bug with your concrete. Pouring new concrete over an existing slab can, however, cause some bug outlined in this article and limit the lifespan.

If yous were to tear old concrete out and replace it with new, well-poured concrete, you could salvage yourself a lot of problem by maximizing the lifespan of your concrete. If you exercise pour new physical on the onetime physical, you are risking the chance of getting deep potholes. After all, the condition of the existing slab determines the status of the new concrete.

  • Raising the Level. I mentioned how it is important to exist aware of the surroundings before pouring new concrete on peak of the existing concrete. You need to be aware of whatsoever doors or staircases around that may ruin your chances of adding physical on top.

If you were to add a few inches of concrete to a walkway leading to your driveway, you could create a tripping take chances for people that do not realize the gap. The walkway would be several inches taller than the driveway which you surely wouldn't want. You could solve that though by creating a pocket-sized ramp.

  • Bonding. Without somehow separating the onetime physical from the new concrete, cracks would be guaranteed. If there are any cracks in the old concrete, they would spread into the new concrete in pretty quickly.

It is important to add a layer of separation between the two slabs for flexibility and longevity. This layer of separation can come up in the form of stones, sand, or even plastic. Yet, plastic isn't recommended for anyone trying to protect the planet.

How Sparse Can You Pour Physical Over Existing Concrete?

The thinnest that is usually used when pouring concrete, in general, is near two to 2 ½ inches. That also applies to this pouring new concrete over old concrete.

Any thinner than 2 inches would exist too sparse. When considering how thick you want the new concrete to be, it is important to consider the surroundings where the concrete will be. Similar I mentioned before, anything like a door or a staircase would warrant getting rid of the former physical and starting fresh.

How Do You Attach Physical to Erstwhile Concrete?

Though information technology is possible to attach new concrete to quondam concrete, it is of import to do information technology the correct fashion to continue any cracks or separation from setting in too apace. If you don't do everything possible to prevent that, you may be replacing the concrete sooner than you would similar.

Any time one is to attach new concrete to sometime concrete, it is likely for cracks to form and the sections volition begin to divide. One way to help preclude that when attaching them is to employ rebar to pin them together.

Rebar is short for reinforcing bar, meaning the bars are used to support and strengthen the bond betwixt the 2 slabs. The size of the rebars really depends on the size of the concrete. Heavy concrete will, of form, use heavier rebar, merely smaller physical such every bit sidewalk or driveway volition only require about half an inch of rebar.

Here are the steps to brand sure you bond new concrete with old physical correctly:

  1. Drill ⅝ diameter holes to be 6 inches deep into the old physical. Exist certain to drill the holes 12 inches on center. Place the holes horizontally if the joint is wider than it is alpine, only place and so vertically if it is taller.
  2. Be sure the holes are at least half dozen inches from any edges to prevent any chipping.
  3. Affluent h2o into the holes.
  4. Place injections of epoxy into the backs of the holes while making sure that it is enough to make full the holes halfway.
  5. Twist 12-inch rebars into the holes making certain there is an even coat of epoxy around the rebar surround every inch that is in the hole.
  6. Patch the holes with duct tape by sticking information technology through the end of the rebar and bringing information technology downwardly to the pigsty to foreclose any epoxy leakage while curing.
  7. Apply metal primer to tape the exposed pieces of rebar to prevent rusting.
  8. Information technology is now time to pour the new concrete for it to menses and surround the rebar pins.

Can You Stamp Concrete Over Existing Concrete?

When stamping physical, it still has to be a fresh pour of concrete so information technology is moisture. Therefore, you lot take to pour a new layer over existing concrete to stamp physical, but brand sure the existing concrete is in adept condition.

Like mentioned before, the new layer of physical is just every bit good as the existing layer below so brand sure to patch any cracks beneath and separate the ii layers.

When stamping concrete, in that location are two different methods to consider. You tin utilize textured rollers or mitt stamps. It may be handy if you buy multiple handstamps when dealing with a big surface to avoid it drying before finishing.

At that place are many different stamp patterns to consider similar basic brickwork stone texture. There are stamps that are formed to look like stones or bricks placed in a circle. You can even have a petty flake of fun with pawprint stamps.

Make sure the existing concrete is every bit clean as possible. You should consider power washing to avoid any debris getting in the fashion. One time y'all cascade the new physical, you must be quick with the stamps every bit they need to be fix within 15 minutes of pouring the concrete. To avoid whatsoever stress, pace all tools abreast you to speed upwardly the process.

You may demand to inquire a few helpers to assistance you lot to help with the process of laying down the new concrete and stamping it. The concrete should be about 2 inches thick and exist quick to make sure the new physical is leveled and smooth before using the stamps. That is when your helpers will be of assistance to you.

For more help on apply stamps to concrete, click HERE to watch a YouTube video.

Can Concrete Exist Resurfaced?

If y'all do not know what resurfacing concrete is, you wouldn't be the merely one. It is really a mode to revamp or repolish your concrete to await new again. Information technology actually isn't that uncommon, and it is a viable selection.

Many people volition tell you that yous should just replace the concrete rather than resurfacing, just replacing might not be necessary. You tin embrace your concrete patio in unlike ways. Resurfacing will assist save you some money and conserve your resources.

Resourcing one-time concrete might exist perfect if you are looking to:

  • Comprehend unpleasant concrete
  • Muffle imperfections
  • Set up cracks
  • Deal with discoloration
  • Update outdated finishes

Earlier talking most the options and how to ready the concrete for resurfacing, keep in heed that resurfacing volition non solve whatsoever underlying issues your concrete may accept. If it is starting to heave or lift, resurfacing is not an choice and you may demand to replace it. Furthermore, information technology will non assist with whatever severe cracks or freeze/thaw impairment.

In that location are many decorative overlay options when resurfacing. You can postage concrete which was mentioned earlier, simply yous can also color information technology, stain it, engrave it, or you can even use stencils.

But remember that preparing the concrete is just as crucial as anything else. In fact, it is probably the most critical function. You must have a make clean base for the overlay to cling to or y'all may accept a instance of overlay failure.

Can Y'all Put New Concrete Over Old Physical? At present Yous Know

  • Putting new concrete over old concrete is definitely an selection to consider, but before deciding, you must consider all options and what will go into the process. Yous should check to see if adding a couple of inches of concrete will disrupt a door shutting or a lesser step to a staircase etc. And if you lot are interested in building physical patios, check out that article to find out all you need to know about building i!