A new surface on a slab that is still sound
You know the look. The top quarter inch of the driveway is gone, the stones are showing, and there's a rough, pockmarked patch where the car sits near the garage door. Maybe the porch has flaked down to gravel. Maybe the patio is stained and worn but the slab is still flat and solid.
When the concrete underneath is sound, you don't need to haul it out. A polymer-modified overlay bonds to the old slab and gives you a new, even surface. We grind or blast the top first, repair what's cracked, then apply the overlay in thin coats and finish it as broom, smooth, or lightly textured. Colors are available too.
It's a fraction of the cost of a pour, typically $5 to $10 per sq ft. A Resurface a 2-car driveway (about 600 sq ft) usually runs $3,000 to $6,000. It's also faster. Most jobs wrap up in a couple of days instead of a week with a tear-out and cure.
But the overlay follows the slab. It doesn't level, lift, or hold anything together. If your concrete is heaving, sunken, or broken through, resurfacing is the wrong tool. We'll say so, because it's better than watching a new surface crack along the old cracks.
Is resurfacing the right fix?
We look at what's wrong with the surface and what's wrong underneath. Here's how that sorts out.
Call soon if you see
- Surface flaking or scaling that exposes stones, especially on the driveway or garage apron
- Pitting from deicing salt, spreading each winter
- Rough, dusty concrete that sheds a fine powder when you sweep
- Stains, old paint, or coatings you want to cover with one clean finish
- Hairline cracks and shallow spalls on an otherwise flat, solid slab
Usually safe to watch
- Cosmetic fading on a slab with no flaking
- A little light staining that sealing can improve
- A slab that is also sinking or heaving, which needs leveling or replacement first
- Cracks that are wide and still moving
What resurfacing fixes, and what it does not
Scaling and flaking
Scaling is when the cream layer peels away in thin sheets. It's usually from salt, from water added to the surface during finishing, or from poor protection while the slab cured. Once the damage is only on top, an overlay can replace what was lost. If the scaling goes deeper than a half inch or two, we'll check how much sound concrete is left.
Pitting and salt damage
Deicers eat tiny craters into the surface. After a few winters it looks like someone hit it with a wire brush. We grind the surface down, fill the pits, and overlay. Then we recommend a penetrating sealer to help keep salt out.
Small cracks and old patches
We repair cracks before we overlay, using the methods on our concrete crack repair page. Skip that step and the crack comes back through the new surface within a season or two.
Heaved, sunken, or broken slabs
Resurfacing will not fix a slab that's heaving, sunken, or broken through. The overlay follows the shape underneath, along with every dip and every crack that moves. A sunken slab can sometimes be lifted first. A broken one should be replaced.
Overlay options: what goes on the slab
Most of what we install falls into two types.
Polymer-modified cement overlays
These are cement-based mixes with added polymers for bond and flexibility. They go on thicker, from about an eighth to a half inch, and are the usual choice for driveways, garage aprons, and walkways. They can be broomed for traction.
Microtoppings
A microtopping is a very thin skim coat, often less than an eighth of an inch. It works well on patios, pool decks, and interior floors where you want a smooth, clean look or color. It's less forgiving over rough surfaces, so prep matters more.
If you want pattern, color, or exposed aggregate on a larger scale, see our decorative concrete work. An overlay can get you part of the way for less money when the slab is good.
How we resurface a slab
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Check the slab
We sound the concrete with a hammer, look for hollow spots, check the slope and the cracks, and see where water goes. If the slab isn't a good candidate, we tell you now.
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Prep the surface
Grinding or shot blasting removes the weak top layer, oil, sealers, and anything else that would stop the overlay from bonding. This is the step that matters most. A pressure wash alone usually isn't enough.
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Repair cracks and spalls first
Cracks get routed and filled. Spalls and pits get patched with a repair mortar. The overlay hides the surface, but it won't stop a crack from telling on itself later if we skip this.
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Respect the joints
Existing control and expansion joints have to stay open in the new surface. If we cover a joint, the slab will still move there, and the overlay will crack right on top of it. We tape them off or saw them back in.
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Apply, finish, and seal
The overlay goes on in thin coats, then gets broomed or troweled to the finish you picked. After it cures, we apply sealer. Foot traffic is typically fine the next day, and cars after a few days depending on the product and weather.
What affects the price of concrete resurfacing
Resurfacing usually runs $5 to $10 per sq ft. These things change where a job lands.
- Size of the area
Larger, simple shapes cost less per square foot than small or cut-up areas with lots of edges.
- Condition of the slab
A slab with light scaling takes less prep than one with deep pits and many cracks. More repair work means more time before the overlay goes on.
- Surface prep method
Shot blasting and grinding cost more than a simple wash, but they make the bond. Old sealer or paint has to come off too.
- Overlay and finish type
A broom-finish gray overlay is the base price. Colors, stains, and textures raise it.
- Access and drainage
If we can't get materials close, labor goes up. Low spots that hold water may need extra build-up to drain.
- Compare to replacement
If a slab is too far gone, it can be cheaper to replace than to repair and resurface. See our driveway replacement pricing to compare.
Resurfacing through Aurora’s seasons
Winter
Overlays need temperatures well above freezing to bond and cure. We rarely resurface in deep winter. A slab that's scaling now can wait for a warm spell in spring.
Spring
Spring is a good start once the nights stay above freezing. The slab is clean of salt and the schedule isn't packed yet.
Summer
Summer works, but hot wind dries thin overlays very fast. We work early, keep the surface damp as needed, and avoid midday sun.
Fall
Fall is ideal if you start early. The overlay cures well, and we can seal it before the first snow. Don't wait for November.
Aurora salt, soil, HOAs, and permits
Deicing salt
Road deicers get carried home on tires and drip onto your driveway all winter. They are the main cause of scaling and pitting here. The city's concrete repair policy lists overworking the surface, adding water at placement, and poor cold-weather protection during curing as causes of spalling. A good overlay and a sealer help, and so does using less salt.
Clay soil movement
An overlay can't stop clay from moving. If the slab keeps shifting, the new surface will crack where the old one did. We look at drainage and the base before we recommend resurfacing.
HOA approval
Many Aurora neighborhoods require approval for a color change or a new texture. A same-color overlay usually isn't an issue, but ask your association first if you're changing the look.
City of Aurora rules
Resurfacing a driveway or patio on your own property generally doesn't involve the city. Work on public sidewalk, curb, or the driveway apron in the right-of-way is different, and private work there must meet city specs and needs a permit. Confirm current rules with Aurora Public Works.
Concrete Resurfacing FAQs
How much does concrete resurfacing cost in Aurora?
Resurfacing typically runs $5 to $10 per sq ft. A Resurface a 2-car driveway (about 600 sq ft) usually costs $3,000 to $6,000. Heavy repair work, color, or a thicker overlay can raise that.
How long does a resurfaced driveway last?
It depends on prep and the slab underneath. A well-bonded overlay on a stable slab can last many years. A poorly prepped one can peel in a season. Sealing and keeping deicers down helps a lot.
Can you resurface cracked concrete?
Small, stable cracks, yes, after we repair them. Wide cracks or ones where one side is higher than the other will come back through. Those slabs need leveling or replacement.
Will resurfacing fix a sunken or heaved slab?
No. The overlay follows the slab. It doesn't lift it or level it. Fix the elevation first, or replace the slab if it's badly broken.
When can I use it again?
Foot traffic is usually fine the next day. Cars typically wait a few days, depending on the product. We'll give you exact times for the overlay we use.
Is resurfacing better than replacing?
If the slab is flat and solid, yes, it's cheaper and faster. If it's sinking, heaving, or broken, replacement lasts longer. We'll tell you which one fits after we look.