Practical concrete and asphalt maintenance tips

Leave concrete and asphalt installation for the experts, but maintain and repair concrete and asphalt yourself. Here are a few practical tips.

• Excavating an old concrete slab and installing a new one is expensive.
• A cheaper option is to cover the existing surface with a decorative layer of concrete.
• Search "concrete resurfacing" to find a professional who can liven up your old slab.

• Use a cold chisel and club hammer to break away loose concrete and square up rough edges.
• Set up some timber formwork to put your patch into.
• Dampen the area, then brush on a bonding agent.
• Fill with patching concrete and smooth.
• Run a stiff broom over the surface of your patch to roughen it before it sets.

• For areas of flaking concrete, first break up the surface with some light swings from a club hammer.
• The weakened areas will sound hollow when tapped.
• Scrub the exposed surface with a wire brush and rinse with water.
• Once it's dry, apply a bonding agent and patching concrete, and smooth with a steel or wooden trowel.

• A concrete slab with a slightly powdery surface can be fixed with the application of a chemical sealer.
• First, clean the concrete using a wire brush, scrubbing brush, pressure washer or vacuum cleaner, and possibly a degreaser.
• Leave the concrete to dry.
• Next, apply a coat of chemical sealer with a large brush.

• Hairline cracks in concrete can be ignored.
• These cracks usually follow the lines of the contraction joints between sections.
• For bigger cracks use a concrete sealant or filler.

• Metal railings and fasteners expand as they rust, causing the concrete surrounding them to chip or flake off.
• To reduce the problem, periodically seal the joint with a cement-based sealant where metal meets concrete.

• Locate gas and water pipes before you start breaking up an old concrete slab.
• Rent a concrete breaker to make the job easier – one with vibration damping will be less tiring to use and you won't get "vibration white finger."
• Wear ear and eye protection, work gloves and steel-toed footwear.

Keep these practical tips in mind to help you better repair concrete and asphalt.