Question 1

Can you pour over cracked concrete?

Accepted Answer

•

If the cracks in your concrete patio are cosmetic, you can pour a concrete overlay over the patio to cover them up. However, you shouldn’t cover more severe cracks because the underlying damage will simply cause new cracks to appear in the overlay. Patio repair costs $750 to $2,500, depending on the type of repairs and the extent of the damage.

Question 2

Can you pour concrete over old concrete?

Accepted Answer

•

Yes, you can pour new concrete over old concrete, but you need to apply a concrete bonding agent to the existing concrete to ensure the new concrete sticks. Keep in mind that even with a bonding agent, large cracks and other flaws will still come through. If the concrete has heaved, settled, or cracked, pouring new concrete on top won’t address any root structural problems. Removing the existing concrete and rebuilding will be your best solution in that case.

Question 3

Is concrete leveling worth it?

Accepted Answer

•

Concrete leveling is absolutely worth it if you have sunken concrete slabs and want to restore them to level, especially if the slab is part of your home foundation. Concrete leveling is less than half the price of replacing concrete sidewalks, patios, walkways, and pool decks, and it’s about a quarter of the cost of replacing a foundation. If you also treat the underlying problem, it can be a worthwhile and permanent solution.

Question 4

Should I patch, resurface, or replace my concrete?

Accepted Answer

•

Concrete blemishes such as chipped steps or small cracks are fixable with patching. For bigger jobs, including driveway repair and cracks wider than a 1/4 of an inch, patches will only serve as a temporary fix. Resurfacing is ideal when the surface is showing more widespread wear—like if it’s pitted, rough, or has lots of cracks. Resurfacing gives your concrete a fresh, like-new appearance without needing a full replacement.

When the concrete is severely cracked, sinking, or otherwise structurally unsound, replacing it might be your best option. Replacement ensures the safety and longevity of the surface in this case.