Concrete Driveway Resurfacing in Los Angeles

Nothing can ruin curb appeal like a worn out driveway. Think about it. You have a beautifully manicured front yard. Your house paint is fresh. Carefully maintained roof. And then…the driveway. Stained. Cracked. Even crumbling in places. It’s not a great look. 

At a time when it seems like everyone is revamping their homes with fresh paint,  eco-friendly yards filled with native plants, new walkways, even fresh sidewalks, don’t forget the driveway. Resurfacing your old driveway will bring the look of your home up to par with the rest of your home. 

Do I need to replace my concrete driveway in Los Angeles?

Did you know that the average driveway can last up to 40 years with proper maintenance? With most homes in Los Angeles averaging about 50 years or older, you may be wondering if you have to replace your driveway. The answer is…not necessarily. 

The neighbors tree on the left destroyed the driveway. We had to replace it completely.

It’s not surprising that your driveway will have some cracks, especially if it’s as old as your home. That driveway takes a beating every day, what with the cars parked on it, basketball and soccer games played on it, people walking to and from your house. 

Not only that, but have you ever thought about what’s underneath your concrete? Here’s a hint – it’s dirt. The soil shifts slowly over time, causing your concrete driveway to settle a little every year. Got trees? Those roots are probably stretching out underneath your driveway, nudging it up a little every year. 

So, it’s not a surprise that your concrete shows a few cracks. Does that mean you have to replace your driveway? If you have cracks wider than ¼ inch wide, or your concrete is starting to buckle, then it’s time to replace your driveway. 

As long as the cracks in your concrete are about ¼ inch wide, you don’t have to replace it. You can get a whole new look by resurfacing your driveway. 

How can I resurface my concrete driveway in Los Angeles?

First step in any large concrete project is to consult a licensed concrete contractor. A general contract just won’t cut it. Only a licensed concrete contractor will know what to look for in assessing your concrete driveway. If the concrete contractor doesn’t find any structural damage to your driveway, you’re good to go!

Once it’s determined that you can resurface your concrete driveway, that’s when the big decisions come into play. How are you going to do it? Concrete is such a versatile and durable substance to build with. You can basically make concrete look like pretty much any other building material. 

Here are some design ideas for resurfacing your concrete driveway: 

• Broom Finish: The classic. This affordable design is achieved by dragging a special concrete broom over the new surface as it dries. You can switch up the design by switching the direction of the broom lines to get some variation in design. 

  Most popular concrete finish. The broom finish.

   

• Rock Salt Finish: Add a little pizzazz to your gray slab. This finish leaves small pits in the concrete, making it look like weathered rock. How does this magic happen? Rock salt is added to the top of the concrete as it dries. Then, it’s washed away, leaving a more contemporary look. 

  Rock Salt Finish. More popular in the East Coast.

   

• Exposed Aggregate: This non-skid choice is another classic. This one leaves larger stones exposed. You can include any type of larger stone, giving your driveway a colorful look. 

  Decorative rock or sharp rock can be used. Used in sloped driveways.

   

• Stained and Stamped: I guarantee you’ve seen this look around your neighborhood. The great thing about concrete is that it can mimic the look and feel of almost any building material. Want a brick finish? You can do that with concrete. Want a slate or stone finish? Concrete can do that. 

  Stains come in different colors.

   

How is a concrete driveway resurfaced in Los Angeles?

Floating the fresh plastic concrete.

I bet by now you’ve probably watched a few YouTube videos about resurfacing concrete. Looks pretty fun and easy, right? Just a weekend DIY job, right? Ahhh…no. Those guys are professionals. That’s why it looks easy. .

The first step in resurfacing your concrete driveway is to hire a licensed concrete contractor. They will check out your driveway to make sure it’s a good candidate to resurface. Then, it’s time for work. Your licensed concrete contractor will:

1. Repair: If you’ve got just a few small cracks, your concrete contractor will fill them in with a sealer or a filler.
2. Clean: Time for a power wash. Your concrete contractor will wash off all the dirt, oil and other debris that’s been collecting on your driveway over the years. 
3. Preparation: Now that the concrete is clean, it’s time to get rid of that top surface. Your contract will grind, etch or acid wash the concrete. It’s like preparing wood to paint. You have to have a rough surface for the concrete to bond to. 
4. Mix and Pour: Your concrete contractor will mix up the correct proportions of cement, water and rocks to create the concrete finish you want. Then, it’s time to pour and finish. After the concrete is poured, stamps will be applied, if you’re using them. This is the step that has to be done quick. Once you pour concrete, there’s no going back. It has to be right because you can’t correct concrete mistakes. 
5. Seal it up! A sealer will be applied to your concrete to give your driveway a protective coating. 

How can I resurface my concrete driveway in Los Angeles?
Call. A. Professional.
A licensed concrete contractor has a deep understanding of the process of installing concrete. And the right tools. It will actually be cheaper for you to hire a professional to resurface your concrete driveway. There are a lot of specialized tools used in concrete installation. Not only that, but you can’t make any mistakes with concrete. Once it’s poured, that’s it. There’s no correcting mistakes once the concrete has dried. 

Other services we provide: Sidewalk repair, garage concrete replacement, and much more. 
So, do yourself and your loved ones (especially those living with you) a favor and give us a call. Our licensed concrete contractor can give you a free estimate to make give your driveway the facelift it needs.