THE MYTH & THE TRUTH BEHIND CONCRETE RESURFACING

For years the only solution to repair cracked, stained or deteriorating concrete was to replace it with new concrete..... Today, with the proliferation of polymer hybrids used with standard concrete mixes, it is possible to fix old concrete without having to remove it.

Damaged concrete surfaces can easily be repaired with textured overlay cement systems, providing an economical solution to costly replacement. In cold climate, cement overlays provide added protection to the underlying concrete, against freeze-thaw and salt damage.

The greatest challenge facing the decorative concrete resurfacing industry today is the improper application of repair and resurfacing products. Insufficient knowledge and training about these products pose significant possibilities for failure to the poorly trained applicator. Most applicators lose money at the onset due to lack of knowledge on simple systematic procedures, not yet understood or followed. In turn, many consumers suffer the brunt of the apprentice installer with the burden of a badly installed overlay.

CRN removes the mystery of resurfacing and eliminates the pitfalls! You can benefit from our experience and eliminate costly mistakes!

CRN opens the doors to diversified programs for varied persons:

 You're an applicator interested in increasing your knowledge, fine tuning your skills, learning about the latest innovations and products
 You're an entrepreneur anxious to go into this exciting business, and looking for answers to all of your questions
 You're the consummate artist who wants to expand his available mediums of expression
 You're an interested homeowner, who wants to understand the choices, limitations, costs, and possibilities for success for your personal project.

With over two decades of application experience, CRN and its affiliates have developed and perfected meaningful solutions to repair, restore, beautify and protect existing surfaces for the long term. This primarily includes concrete, but we have applied our systems over asphalt, wood, metal, tile, foam and even linoleum!

The success of resurfacing is based on three (3) factors:

1. THE SUBSTRATE: The substrate on which the product system will be applied must be stable, in good repair, and properly prepared.

2. THE PRODUCT: An applicator must be trained to select the right product or product system to meet the job requirement.

3. THE APPLICATOR: The applicator must apply the product or product system correctly.

Here are some MYTHS about Decorative Concrete Resurfacing:

. It structurally reinforces the concrete structure

It is ridiculous to assume that any thin cementitious coating can structurally reinforce a concrete substrate.

. Repaired cracks NEVER come back

Although we have tremendous success in curing cracks, NO ONE can guarantee that a crack may not return, or that new cracks will not form.

. Control joints are ugly and you don't really need them

Control joints are stress relief cuts. They are ABSOLUTELY necessary to prevent stress cracks, and if done well, can be integrated into the finish design.

. Polymer concrete will stick to any surface, even if it's not clean

While it's true that the addition of polymer to cement creates a very sticky and tenaciously adhesive compound, it is also true that if you stick Superglue to dirt, it will simply lift when the dirt does!

. You can resurface ANY concrete surface, no matter how bad!

Although true for the most part, good sense must prevail in establishing the criteria for resurfacing. A good rule of thumb is: If it cost MORE to resurface, then one should replace and NOT resurface.

. Concrete Resurfacing is a joke: it delaminates within a year!

An unfortunate truth based on the proliferation of untrained applicators. An absolute lie if the products are applied correctly. We have 20 years of history to prove it!

. You don't need to seal the surface of any concrete

Sealing any surface with the proper sealer ensures added protection to the substrate below. The key is to use the PROPER sealer - one that is designed for use with a specific surface. When it comes to concrete, you must use a breathable sealer specifically formulated to work with cement substrates.

. If a resurfacing application fails, you HAVE to replace the entire concrete structure

Wrong! Resurfacing cement coatings and overlays are from 1/8" to 1/4" thick. If an overlay finish fails for any reason, it can be refinished, replaced, or redone.

Here are the FACTS about Decorative Concrete Resurfacing

YOU CAN:

   Stabilize the substrate
   Repair cracks in Concrete
   Add and re-cut control joints to ensure stress relief
   Repair and level uneven or low areas on concrete
   Re-pitch to increase the slope of a concrete surface
   Add hand finished textures to create a variety of finishes
   Create stamped overlay decorative texture and borders
   Add integral color and color stains
   Apply Sealers for beautification and protection

For complete information on Decorative Concrete Resurfacing, please check out the "Concrete Resurfacing & YOU" information package. It contains all of the information above, and much, much more.