Have you got an unsightly concrete slab? Is it full of cracks? You want to use it but what can you do to change it? You can resurface it and cover it with pavers or slate or even rock. With the ideas in this article you can have a beautiful resurfaced slab for all those fun things you plan on doing this summer.
First things first. You should rent or buy a pressure washer and clean the surface of the old concrete. Chisel any large cracks by underscoring them and filling them with concrete. Do a light acid wash to bond the new pavers to the existing concrete. Add muratic acid 1 part to 10 parts water. Spray on with a bug sprayer or use an old mop. Always use gloves and eye protection when using chemicals. Wash the concrete with clean water several times to clean the acid from the concrete.
Now you should locate the center of the slab. Do this by measuring the sides or stringing two lines diagonally from corner to corner and marking the center. Next, snap a chalk line parallel to any structure you may have next to the patio like a house or shed. Snap another chalk line perpendicular to the other line. Lay out tiles or rocks along this line to test the pattern. Adjust until it satisfies your tastes. Remember to add 3/8 to ½ inches space between tiles or rock. If you’re going to use tile, use an outdoor grade tile. Normal tiles with a glossy surface can become very slick in the rain.
Mix water and latex additive suitable for outdoor conditions, with thin set mortar. Work small areas at a time. Use a notched trowel to set the mortar mix. Place tiles one at a time along the snapped line. Use tile spacer to keep a continuous pattern. If you’re using rocks or slate, create a pattern first off to the side. Then as you move along transfer the pattern along the thin set. Add enough mortar to hold the rocks in place.
Press tiles into place using a rubber mallet to level each tile with the next. Use a long level laid across the tiles to make sure each tile is level. Remove excess mortar around the joints as you come to them. Work from the center outwards as you place the tile so you don’t have to cross over on them. Cut tiles or slate with a tile wet saw and cut stone with a cold chisel and hammer. Always wear safety glasses when cutting tile or stone.
Once the tiles are in place allow the grout to dry for 24 hours before applying the grout. Mix sanded tile grout with outdoor sealant and spread into the grooves with a sponge float. Spread the grout into the joints at an angle. As it starts to set, use a clean sponge and clean bucket of water to wipe away the grout. Change the dirty water with clean water as needed. Add grout in between stones with a margin trowel. Wipe away excess grout with a wet sponge.
