Concrete floors are beautiful and very resistant, but it is normal for them to wear out over time and use, especially if it is an outdoor pavement. Fortunately, repair stamped concrete it's not complicated. If you are a bit of a handyman and know the steps to follow, you will be able to leave it as new.
If any damage has appeared in the concrete floor of your garden, pay attention to what we are going to tell you. Because we explain step by step what you have to do to make your pavement look as beautiful as the first day.
Cleaning: the first step in repairing stamped concrete
As always when we are going to carry out a concrete job, the first thing to do is make sure that the surface is clean. Remove any remaining dirt that may be around the damaged area. If possible, use a vacuum to make sure you get rid of any loose material.
Cleaning the surface will allow you better appreciate the damage, at the same time that it will prevent that once you start working, the remains of leaves, gravel, etc. end up falling on the materials.
Protect the environment
If the damage is near walls or planters, protect these with a little masking tape and paper or plastic. Thus, if there are any splashes, you will not have to start cleaning afterwards. It will be enough to remove the protection and everything will be in perfect condition.
Prepare the area to work
Al repair stamped concrete two options can be given. Perhaps you have a simple crack before you, in which case, it will be enough that you have cleaned the area well. But, if we are dealing with damage that is irregular, the area must be prepared before starting work.
Using a hammer and chisel, or a grinder, remove the damaged concrete until you have a edge as clean as possible. The more even and well-defined the edges of the crack or hole are, the easier the repair will be to make and the better the results will be.
Moisten the surface
With the help of a brush or a small sponge, apply a little water in the cracks or grooves, as well you will help the concrete to adhere better. Remember that it is about applying a little humidity, it is not necessary that you flood the entire work area.
Prepare the concrete mix
In these cases, the ideal is to use repair mortar, because it has a series of additives that facilitate its grip on old concrete. If you don't have a lot of experience working with this material, using repair mortar will make it a little easier for you. However, you can also use a rapid mortar or a technical mortar.
Whatever your level of experience with this material and in this type of work, always follow the manufacturer's instructions when mixing the proportions of cement, sand and water.
concrete application
The most delicate moment arrives when it comes to repairing stamped concrete. With the help of a trowel or trowel, spread the concrete over the damaged surface. Smooth the mixture and make sure that it is at the same height as the existing concrete.
If necessary, use texturing tools to emulate the pattern and texture of the original stamped concrete. This helps to make the repair not even noticeable, but it requires more tools and also more knowledge when working with mortars.
Cured
Once the work is finished, cover the repaired surface with a plastic, and make sure to keep the area moist for about 48 hours to allow a good curing of the concrete. This way you avoid cracks and improve resistance. Try to mark the area where you have been working so that no one steps on it for a few days.
sealant application
When the mixture has been sealed, you can assess the application of a specific stamped concrete sealing product that helps protect the entire area.
Repair of glazes
The most common stamped concrete floor repair is the one that involves ending cracks and grooves, but other defects can also appear in these floors that you can easily fix.
The glazes are white spots These are due to an excess of resin, or to the fact that the resin received moisture at the time before it had dried completely. They can also appear in winter in areas with high humidity.
To repair them you have to remove the resin layer with the help of a stripper for stamped concrete and a pressurized water machine. The stripper is applied with a roller, left to act for a couple of minutes and then cleaned with pressurized water. If there is any residue, you can apply a little more stripper and rub with a brush.
When the soil is completely dry, then it is time to apply a new resin layer and make sure it dries well.
Efflorescence repair
These stains usually appear on stamped concrete floors where no resin has been applied in a long timedue to the effect of humidity. They can be removed with the help of pressurized water and some cleaning product. Better if it is on a hot day, so that the pavement dries quickly.
Once the floor is clean, it's time to Assess if you need any other repair or if it is convenient to apply a new layer of sealer or resin. We can apply the same solution if the floor has lost its shine.
If the stamped concrete is stained by tread marks, what can be done is to apply a thin layer of mortar based on cement, aggregates and pigments, which produces a surface renewal and also improves the non-slip properties of the floor.
Repairing stamped concrete is not a complicated task. What you need is to follow in detail the step by step that we have seen and, in addition, choose the best quality materials to make sure that the result will be as perfect as possible.