Long Lasting Concrete Repair

Tim,
Regarding my question and your answer to my question on resurfacing. (see below)... When I drill the holes and install the 1/2 inch reinforcing steel (pins), Do I drill into the top or the side of the old walkway slab? As I am not only resurfacing, but adding to the width also. The old walkway (2'x4'slabs) are only 5 inches thick and I'm afraid they will crack when drilling.

Gary
10 Apr 2008, 15:19
Tim,
I read the comments about resurfacing a concrete walkway. I understand and will do as instructed but I also would like to make my walkway wider by about a 12 inches at the same time I do a resurface. I have sandy soil and it drains very well. What are the steps that I need to take to make each slab wider and resurface all 20 feet of my walkway.

AsktheBuilder
13 Apr 2008, 09:05
Gary,
Pin the new and old slabs together with steel reinforcing rods. I discuss this technique in past columns. Then follow all of the tips in all of my Concrete Overlay columns.

I have a spalling problem with my exterior stairs. I live a 7500 feet in Lake Tahoe CA. The freeze, we had this year, broke both small and large portions of the stairs. Mainly on the leading edges. How can I repair these damaged sections with out replacing the stairs ?

I've searched your article and the internet until I'm going blind! Can someone in just plain English say how much and what kind of glue to add to the cement patching mixture. Would that be too much to ask?

1:1 water : cement ( bonding glue )

brush this "paint/glue"mixture at the old material,and then directly put the fresh concrete on it.

I am a Property Manager and have sidewalks that have lifted or settled due to either tree roots or settling of the earth. I was wandering what the best way to repair a problem such as this when you are dealing with tree roots. Since the roots will continue to grow won't you just be throwing your money away. Is there a way of pouring the concrete to get as much life as possible out of it when it comes to concrete around trees?

Does this process work for a wall as well? My concrete retaining wall is peeling like an onion. Should I pin horizontally into the wall & use the bonding glue as well?
Good times! Great article by the way,
Mike