My concrete patio vs stamped overlay - one was a total nightmare

I poured a plain concrete slab two years ago for $800, and last summer I added a $300 stamped overlay on top. The plain slab cracked within six months, but the overlay has held up perfect through snow and rain. Anyone tried the overlay route and seen better long-term results than me?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan3693d agoMost Upvoted

Had a buddy do the exact same thing on his walkway last year. His original slab cracked bad after one winter, but that stamped overlay he put down in the spring still looks brand new. I think it's all about the bonding agents they use now versus the crappy concrete mix they had before.

norab213d ago

Yeah I've dealt with this exact thing before and @ryan369 is spot on about the bonding agents. The old stuff just didn't stick well enough and would peel up after a freeze-thaw cycle. When I did my patio two summers ago I used a high quality acrylic bonding additive with the overlay mix and it's still holding strong through two winters now. The key is making sure you clean the old slab really really good first, like pressure wash and even etch it if it's smooth. Also don't skimp on the sealer after the stamping is done, that's what actually protects the overlay from moisture getting underneath and cracking it. If you follow those steps it'll outlast a regular poured slab any day of the week.