Concrete is one of most durable, widely used man made construction products on the planet. However, in time it will eventually deteriorate. This process may take a few years or a few decades depending upon a whole host of things. When the concrete does begin to show signs of age, you have two choices. You can rip it out and replace it or go with the usually more economical alternative which is to repair it.
Ensure the Slab is Structurally Sound
To make the best decision on whether you should start over or repair the concrete you need to ask a few questions. The first and most important is whether the slab is structurally sound. If you don’t have a good solid foundation you are wasting your time trying to make repairs. A slag with multiple cracks running deep in the concrete can only be fixed with a jackhammer. Ditto for a slab that has basically turned into a pile of stones and sand. Most other problems are correctable.
Determine the Cause of Failure
The second question to ask is whether the original cause of the failure is still present. If you have a sidewalk that has separated at a control joint such that one part of the slab is fine but the other is a few inches higher or lower, you can easily repair this with a product like Top 'N Bond. However if the slab moved because a tree root forced it up and the tree is still there, chances are that a crack will develop right where you made the repair.
Choosing the Right Repair Product
Some concrete surface issues lend themselves well to repair products such as Top 'N Bond or Flo-Coat. A slab that is structurally sound but has a powdery surface, is beginning to flake off, or has lots of hair line cracks can easily be fixed. Smaller surfaces are best repaired with Top 'N Bond. Fairly flat surfaces can be fixed more readily with Flo-Coat.
© 2012 Sakrete
USER COMMENTS
I need the spec and instruction and also the place where I can purchase the top 'n bond. My email address is edgarwgee@aol.com
- Ed Gee
Friday, May 28, 2010 at 1:39 AM
Report as inappropriate
We will email you the data sheet for Top N' Bond, however you can locate this data sheet under Products/Concrete and Masonry Repair. Also go to the Where to Buy button at the top of this page and you will be provided the phone number to call for the nearest location.
- Pamela Gasper
Friday, May 28, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Report as inappropriate
I was looking for essentially the same information as what Ed had asked for. I had found the MDS on the products, and I think I know where to buy one, but I still would love to see some intructions for applying the product so that it holds and looks good. Thanks
- Cyndie
Friday, May 28, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Report as inappropriate
Please go to the Products tab then Concrete & Masonry Repair then click Top N Bond. To the left there will be a Data Sheet. This will cover all your questions on installation. Thank you!
- Pamela Gasper
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Report as inappropriate
I'm starting to rip up carpeting in my condo and the concrete is breaking apart in chunks. What should I use/do to repair this or minimize the damage?
- Sherri
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Report as inappropriate
Thank you for your comment. Please give us a call at 1-866-SAKRETE. One of our technical representatives will be happy to discuss some solutions!
- Pamela Gasper
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Report as inappropriate
I have used this resurfacing material and it's top notch.... Much better than others I have used in the past...Sakrete seems to put less sand in their material giving it a much smoother finish...and the bond is GREAT!
- Leigh
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Report as inappropriate
Thank you Leigh! We are glad you like working with our products. If we can be of assistance, please dont' hesistate to email us from the contact us link above or call us at 1-866-SAKRETE!
- Pamela Gasper
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Report as inappropriate
Just wanted to say I love the new website...looks great!
- SNinNC
Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Report as inappropriate
Thanks SNinNC for your feedback...We trust you will continue to enjoy the website and visit often.
- Sherrie
Friday, June 4, 2010 at 8:52 AM
Report as inappropriate
I've a sidewalk that now slope toward the house by about 1/4 to 1/2" across a 3' wide walk. Can I use Flo Coat or Top-N-Bond to level this out?
- David
Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Report as inappropriate
Yes,David,you can use the Top N Bond Concrete Patcher up to a 1/2" per lift for this application. But keep in mind that for proper drainage you will need to slope the material 1/4" per foot away from the house.
- Lee
Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Report as inappropriate
in what state is flo-coat available, ca does not offer it?
- brian
Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 1:44 AM
Report as inappropriate
That product may not be available in all areas. Please call 866 Sakrete and your call will be forwarded to your area Licensee Sakrete Manufacturer. They should be able to assit you on product availability and location.
- slw
Monday, March 28, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Report as inappropriate
I have a concrete driveway that is pitted, I presume from use of deicer. Can I use Flo-coat over a the area or should I fill each pit with Patcher? The driveway is sloped.
- erp
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 3:13 AM
Report as inappropriate
You may use Flo-Coat as long as the application is less than 1/2". It all depends however on the slope of your driveway. If it is a gradual slope then you can use the Flo-Coat but if it has a severe slope then it would not be recommended. You may want to make the mix slightly stiffer if you decide to use Flo-Coat due to the slope. Flo-Coat can also be applied in a trowelable consistency. Another option would be to use Sakrete Top'n Bond. It also can be applied from 1/2" down to a featheredge and is troweled on. You want to make sure the surface is free of any dirt, paints, stains, or sealers before applying any new material.
- Dean
Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Report as inappropriate
How long can I expect an overlay (if all prepare work is done as directed of course)? I have very sound ooncrete in 90% of my walkway. Ned to replace three sections and then what to overlay the entire walkway for consistency. Thank you.
- briley
Monday, April 25, 2011 at 6:52 PM
Report as inappropriate
Briley, it is difficult to give an exact time as to how long you can expect the overlay to last. There are many factors that affect this such as environmental conditions and surface prep. If you are in a colder climate salts may be applied when there is snow/ice which can affect the life time as well. Surface prep is critical to ensure you will get the longest life out of the overlay. The existing concrete needs to be free of paints, stains and sealers before applying the overlay. If you are using the Flo-Coat Resurfacer you can expect it to last just as long or even longer than typical concrete. A typical sidewalk will be around 3,500 psi while the Flo-Coat has a compressive strength of 4,500 psi.
- Dean
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Report as inappropriate
How do Flo-Coat and Top N Bond differ? They seem like the same product when you read about them. Can Top N Bond be mixed soupy and used like Flo-Coat in small areas that need repair?
- Dick
Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 9:07 PM
Report as inappropriate
Dick, Sakrete Flo-Coat Concrete Resurfaceer and Top'n Bond are similar in the fact that they are both used for applications from 1/2" down to a featheredge. However, Flo-Coat can be used in a flowable consistency up to 1/2" whereas the Top'n Bond can only be troweled at that thickness. You can do brush coat applications of Top'n Bond at a maximum thickness 1/8".
- Dean
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Report as inappropriate
Unfortunately Flo-Coat can not be placed over linoleum.
- Dean
Monday, August 1, 2011 at 8:37 AM
Report as inappropriate
Can Flo-Coat be placed over linoleum?
- Debbie
Monday, August 1, 2011 at 5:11 PM
Report as inappropriate
I have a 3 car garage (appx 20 x 32 ft) that is over 60 years old and is good structural shape, but has alot of small surface cracks and has some spalling. I am considering using Flo-Coat over the entire surface, appx 1/4 in thick. Can I do this all as one large fix, or should I segment it into small sections? How many bags would it take? Other advice? Thanks
- Bill
Monday, August 15, 2011 at 3:15 PM
Report as inappropriate
Bill, for your application you may want to break it into sections. A good starting and stopping point would be where you have expansion joints. You must honor all joints, so since you can not fill them with Flo-Coat you can start and stop where these joints occur. Make sure you prepare the surface well before applying the Flo-Coat by pressure washing the existing concrete and that there are no paints, stains, or sealers that will interfere with bonding. Applying the Flo-Coat Resurfacer at 1/4" thick for a 32x20 foot area will require 38 bags.
- Dean
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 1:35 PM
Report as inappropriate
Bill, also if you have any small cracks or pitted areas those need to be filled in with Flo-Coat mixed at a trowelable consistency before resurfacing the entire area.
- Dean
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 8:12 AM
Report as inappropriate
I notice from pictures on your site that flo-coat has a very "wet" cositancy. Will this product self-level like self leveling underlayments, or is screeding the only way to achieve a level surface?
- Kevin
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 2:39 AM
Report as inappropriate
Kevin, the Flo-Coat is a flowable material but is not considered a self leveling product. It will need to be applied either with a squeegee at a flowable consistency or with a trowel at a thicker consistency.
- Dean
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Report as inappropriate
I notice from pictures on your site that flo-coat has a very "wet" cositancy. Will this product self-level like self leveling underlayments, or is screeding the only way to achieve a level surface?
- Kevin
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Report as inappropriate