Concrete Resurfacing
in Kamloops, BC

Concrete resurfacing occupies a specific and well-defined role: it's appropriate for concrete that is structurally intact but has surface-level problems that are beyond what sealing can address. The most common candidates are driveways and exterior concrete with freeze-thaw surface scaling, garage and basement slabs with pitting and surface wear from years of use, commercial floors with old adhesive residue or worn surface from constant traffic, and slabs where a previous coating has failed and the concrete surface underneath has degraded.

Resurfacing is not appropriate for slabs with structural cracking — cracks that are wider than 3–6mm, that show vertical displacement between sections, or that are actively growing from settlement or subgrade movement. An overlay applied over a structurally moving joint will crack in the same location within months. It's also not a solution for slabs that are heaved, buckled, or have significant level changes — overlay thickness is typically 3–10mm, which isn't enough to correct meaningful level differences.

We assess this honestly. Our interest is in doing work that lasts, not in taking a job that's going to fail and leave a bad result with your name on it. If your slab needs replacement, we'll tell you, and we'll give you a clear explanation of why.

The two main resurfacing system categories work differently and suit different applications. Polymer-modified cementitious overlays are cement-based compounds with polymer additives — typically acrylic or vinyl — that improve flexibility, adhesion, and water resistance compared to plain cement. They're typically applied at 3–6mm thickness, can be textured, stamped, or stained, and bond well to properly prepared concrete. They're the common choice for exterior concrete — driveways, walkways, pool decks — because they handle outdoor exposure and freeze-thaw cycling well.

Epoxy-based overlay systems use a two-part epoxy as the binder rather than cement. They bond more aggressively to concrete, achieve higher compressive strength than polymer-modified overlays, and can be thinner while maintaining structural integrity. Epoxy overlays are often used in commercial and industrial settings where strength and chemical resistance matter — and they can be finished with a decorative flake broadcast or topcoated with polyaspartic for a premium result.

The choice between systems depends on the application, the slab condition, the finish goal, and the environment. Exterior driveways and patios that need to handle freeze-thaw usually go with a polymer-modified system. Interior commercial and residential floors that will get a decorative topcoat system often go with an epoxy overlay. We assess and recommend based on your specific slab and what you're trying to accomplish.

A resurfacing overlay is only as good as its bond to the existing concrete. If the overlay doesn't fully bond to the substrate, it will delaminate — and delamination in an overlay system is a significant failure that's difficult and expensive to repair. Getting the bond right is the entire point of surface preparation.

We open the existing surface with diamond grinding or shot blasting to achieve the required concrete surface profile for the overlay system. This removes the weak, carbonated surface layer that forms on older concrete, opens the pore structure so the overlay binder can penetrate, and eliminates any remaining sealer, contamination, or old coating material. Any of these left on the surface creates a bond break.

Cracks are addressed before overlay application. Cracks that are filled after grinding but before the overlay goes down become part of the repaired surface. Cracks that are ignored and covered by the overlay remain active and telegraph through the overlay material as the concrete moves. We route and fill cracks with appropriate semi-rigid or rigid filler before any overlay goes on.