Hobart Concrete Overlay Contractors

Micro-toppings can be applied at only a couple of millimetres, which is thin enough that thresholds and door clearances are usually unaffected. Self-levelling systems generally need more depth to flow and level properly, and stamped overlays need enough thickness to take the pattern without the impression cutting through to the substrate. There is a trade-off: thinner means less disruption to levels but less capacity to correct unevenness, and less tolerance of impact. We work out the minimum thickness that will actually achieve what you want.

Provided the substrate is sound, clean and properly prepared, yes — and preparation is the whole answer. The existing surface must be mechanically opened, usually by diamond grinding or shot blasting, so the overlay has a profile to key into. Any sealer, curing compound, paint or adhesive residue has to come off entirely, since an overlay will not bond through it. Contamination and inadequate preparation cause nearly every overlay failure we are called to look at, and neither can be corrected after the fact.

Yes, provided the right exterior system is used and the preparation is done properly. Outdoor overlays have to cope with strong summer UV, wet winters and repeated frosts, so the specification differs from an interior topping. Water that gets into a porous or poorly bonded overlay can freeze and expand overnight, gradually lifting the layer, which is why bonding and a good exterior sealer matter so much. Slip resistance matters more outside too, particularly on a sloping driveway or around a pool, so we use textured systems and grit-additive sealers there. What no overlay tolerates is a slab with active movement, since temperature cycling makes reflective cracking more likely.

Generally faster than new concrete, since the layer is thin. Light foot traffic is often possible within a day, with vehicle traffic after several days depending on the system and the weather. Sealing adds its own waiting period before the surface can take full use. Cold or damp conditions extend everything, and most overlay products have a minimum application temperature, so in winter we plan around frosty forecasts and short drying days. We give you specific timings for the system used on your job rather than a general rule, since these vary more between products than concrete does.