Common Questions
My driveway has cracks — does it need to be replaced?
Usually not. Most driveway cracks are shrinkage or thermal, and can be crack-injected and resurfaced rather than replaced. Structural cracks are different — those need engineer review. We’ll diagnose it on the site visit before quoting anything.
Can you resurface a concrete slab instead of breaking it out?
Yes, provided the existing slab is structurally sound (no major cracks, no major subsidence). A bonded cementitious overlay from 10mm up can bring a tired slab back to a proper finish for a fraction of replacement cost.
Can you give old concrete a decorative finish?
Yes. Micro-topping, stamped overlays, coloured overlays and broomed-finish overlays over existing concrete. Saves breaking out a perfectly sound slab when all that’s needed is a better finish.
What causes spalling on concrete steps and edges?
Usually a combination of poor original surface finishing, insufficient cover to reinforcing, and freeze/thaw or salt exposure on the coast. We grind back to sound material, treat any exposed rebar, and patch with a proper repair mortar.
Is the repair guaranteed?
Yes — written workmanship guarantee on the repaired section, with length depending on the system used. Stated on the quote before signing.
Concrete repair is a system, not a mortar. Sika, a.b.e., Mapei and Fosroc each supply a matched set — corrosion-inhibiting primer for the exposed steel, a bonding coat, and a shrinkage-compensated repair mortar applied in specified lifts — and using one manufacturer’s set throughout means the compatibility is engineered rather than hoped for. For resurfacing rather than structural repair, the cementitious overlay and decorative ranges from Cemcrete cover most of what is asked for here.
