Microtoppings and stampable overlays
Resurfacing & Overlays in Las Vegas
Pitted, worn or stained, but still solid? For slabs around Las Vegas and Enterprise, an overlay puts a new surface on top. We check for movement first, then grind, prime and build the coats back up.
Call us(725) 502-1499
Mon to Sat, 7am to 7pm. Closed Sunday.
What goes into an overlay job
Before anything is mixed, we look at every crack and low spot to see whether the slab is still moving, because an overlay copies whatever is happening underneath it.
A movement check
Active cracks and settlement come straight through a new topping, so they get dealt with first.
Surface grinding
The old slab is ground clean and open so the new layers have something to grip.
Bonding primer
Every overlay starts with a bonding coat on the prepared slab, commonly mixed about one to one with water.
Scratch coat
A scratch coat goes into the still-tacky primer and cures for roughly 24 hours.
Colored finish coat
The finish coat, often colored right in the mix, goes on next and cures about another day.
Sealer goes on last
Sealer waits until the finish coat has had its full cure time.
What are the downsides of a concrete overlay here?
An overlay is just a wearing surface and will not strengthen a weak slab. It will not provide any additional strength. Whatever the concrete is doing underneath (one corner settling or a crack still working) it will show through the new surface, often along the same line. The first thing we check on any slab in Las Vegas is whether it has stopped moving. So the decision is structural before it's about budget. Is this a good candidate or does it need to be dug up and repoured? This is why an overlay quote and a replacement quote for the same slab can be very different. Both can be honest.
Pitted but solid
A worn, stained or pitted slab with no active cracks is the best case for an overlay.
Still settling
A slab dropping at one edge will crack a fresh topping right along the old line.
Microtopping or stampable overlay: which one fits?
Ask what you want the finished slab to be. A fresh, smooth version of what is already there points one way. A brand-new stamped texture points the other.
| What to compare | Microtopping | Stampable overlay |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | About 1/16 to 1/8 inch | Built up to about 3/8 inch |
| Best for | Renewing a worn, pitted or discolored surface | Adding a new stamped pattern over flat concrete |
| Texture | A thin skim finish with no impression | Deep enough to hold a stamp impression |
| Build sequence | Primer, scratch coat, finish coat, then sealer | Same primer and coats, built up thicker |
| Adds strength? | No, it is a wear layer only | No, the same limit at any thickness |
Resurfacing questions we get in Las Vegas
Most Las Vegas overlay calls start with one of these. Text a photo of the slab and its worst crack to see if it qualifies.
Is resurfacing a concrete driveway a good idea?
It is when the driveway is sound and only the surface is tired. If panels have sunk, lifted or have cracks that are still opening, an overlay will show those same cracks again before long. In that case, replacing the bad panels is the better spend.
What does resurfacing a worn concrete slab cost?
We give that number after seeing the slab, because its condition sets most of it. Square footage, how much grinding and crack work the surface needs, and whether you want a smooth topping or a stamped one all move the price. Text us a photo and the rough size.
How thin can a concrete overlay go?
Microtoppings run about 1/16 to 1/8 inch, and a few proprietary microcement systems go thinner still. That is plenty to renew a worn surface. For a stamped texture, though, the overlay has to be built up to roughly 3/8 inch so it can hold the impression.
Do you control dust when grinding before an overlay?
Yes. Grinding and cutting concrete fall under OSHA's construction silica rule, and its Table 1 spells out the engineering controls, work practices and, for some tasks, respiratory protection for concrete grinding. Those listed controls get set up before the grinder starts.
Can you put a stamped pattern over my plain slab?
Yes, if the slab underneath is sound. A stampable overlay is built up to about 3/8 inch over the bonding primer and scratch coat, thick enough to take a stamp. You end up with a patterned surface without tearing out the old concrete and pouring again.
When is a resurfaced slab ready for foot traffic?
Plan on a few days. Each coat cures roughly 24 hours before the next one goes on, and the finish coat gets about another 24 hours before sealer. Sealer products differ on when they take foot traffic, so we give you the exact day when we wrap up.
Is your old slab pitted but still solid?
Hose it off, let it dry, and look for cracks that have opened up since you last checked. Then call, or text photos to our Enterprise crew.
Call us(725) 502-1499