How do I resurface my driveway myself?

Resurfacing or re-paving your driveway can provide a beautiful new look to your home’s exterior. However, it can be a big project to take on yourself. With the right planning, tools, and techniques, you can resurface your own driveway and save money compared to hiring a professional. In this article, we will walk through the entire process step-by-step.

Should you resurface your own driveway?

Before diving in, consider whether DIY resurfacing is right for you. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

• Saves money compared to hiring a professional.
• Allows you to customize the look and materials.
• Opportunity to upgrade your home’s curb appeal.

Cons:

• Very labor intensive project.
• Requires specialized tools and materials.
• Mistakes can lead to cracking or deterioration down the road.

As long as you are willing to put in the hard work and have some background knowledge of working with concrete, resurfacing your own driveway can be very rewarding.

When to resurface your driveway

Your driveway needs to be resurfaced when:

• It has extensive cracking, pitting, or crumbling
• Concrete has sunk or settled unevenly
• There are holes or gaps that allow water ingress
• You want to change the color or appearance

Catching driveway problems early makes the resurfacing job much simpler. If there is just moderate cracking and wear, a resurfacing will suffice. If the concrete is severely compromised, full replacement may be necessary.

Cost to resurface a driveway

Resurfacing your own driveway can save 50-75% compared to hiring a contractor. A basic resurfacing of a standard sized driveway can be done for under $2,000 in materials. Here are typical pricing estimates:

• Concrete resurfacing – $2-$6 per square foot
• Asphalt resurfacing – $1-$3 per square foot

The exact cost will depend on the size of your driveway, materials used, and any prep work needed. Be sure to account for equipment rentals too.

What You Need to Resurface a Driveway

Before starting this large endeavor, you need to make sure you have the right tools and materials on hand. Here is an overview:

Tools Needed

• Personal protective equipment – gloves, goggles, ear protection, etc.
• Shovels and rakes
• Push broom
• Metal rake
• Edger
• Masonry chisel and hammer
• Screed rake
• Hand tamper
• Concrete trowel
• Groover tool
• Concrete mixing tools – wheelbarrow, hoe, etc.
• Plate compactor (optional)
• Power wash equipment (optional)

You may also need to rent some larger equipment like a jackhammer, concrete saw, or cement mixer. Make arrangements for equipment rental ahead of time.

Materials Needed

• Concrete mix or aggregate
• Sand
• Gravel or crushed stone
• Concrete bonding agent
• Concrete sealer (optional)
• Coloring agents like concrete dye (optional)
• Expansion joints
• Edging materials
• Reinforcing wire mesh or rebar

Buy all materials ahead of time so you have them on hand for when it’s time to start work.

Prep Work for Resurfacing a Driveway

Proper prep work ensures the new driveway surface will last for many years. Here are the key steps:

Inspect the Existing Concrete

Examine the current driveway for any cracks, pitting, or hollow spots. Mark any severely damaged areas that may need patching. Check for low spots or settling issues as well.

Clean the Surface

Use a pressure washer or stiff brush to clean away built-up dirt, oil stains, and debris. Concrete needs to be clean for proper adhesion.

Repair Damaged Areas

Use a chisel and hammer to chip away any loose or hollow spots. Sweep away debris. For larger damaged sections, cut out the old concrete with a concrete saw to prepare the area for a patch.

Create a Base Layer

Add a 4-6 inch layer of gravel or crushed stone and compact it thoroughly. This provides a sturdy base for the new concrete surface.

Form the Edges

Use wooden planks or steel edging to form clean, straight edges along the sides of the driveway. This will help hold the new concrete. The edging should be slightly lower than the desired thickness of the concrete.

Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement

Cut and install wire mesh across the driveway area to reinforce the concrete. This helps prevent cracking down the road. Leave a 1-2 inch gap between mesh panels.

Mixing and Pouring New Concrete

Once prep work is complete, it’s time to mix and install the fresh concrete for your new driveway surface.

Mix Concrete

For small volumes, concrete can be mixed by hand or in a wheelbarrow. For larger jobs, you may want to rent a cement mixer. Follow package directions to achieve the right concrete consistency.

Pour Concrete

Working in sections, wheelbarrow or pump wet concrete into place between the edging. Use a shovel to spread it into corners. Have helpers use rakes to move it around. Add more concrete as needed.

Compact the Concrete

Once in place, use a hand tamper or gas-powered plate compactor to settle the concrete down firmly into the base. This helps remove air pockets.

Screed the Surface

Use a long straight screed board to smooth the concrete evenly across the top. Work from different angles to get a consistent flat surface. Add more concrete as needed.

Finish the Concrete

Use concrete finishing tools like a bullfloat, magnesium trowel, and groover to impart final textures. Trowel back and forth to seal the surface. Add control joints as desired.

Cover and Cure

Cover the fresh concrete with plastic sheeting to help retain moisture. Let concrete cure for 5-7 days before removing forms or using the driveway.

Topping Existing Concrete

If your current concrete is in fair shape, you may be able to simply add a new top layer rather than pouring a full new slab. Here is the process:

Clean and Profile the Concrete

Use a pressure washer and concrete grinder or sander to clean the existing driveway and profile the surface. This gives the new layer something to bond to.

Apply Concrete Bonding Agent

Use a concrete bonding adhesive to coat the old concrete surface. This helps fuse the new and old concrete together. Apply evenly according to product instructions.

Pour New Concrete Layer

Mix fresh concrete as normal. Pour or pump it over the bonding agent onto the old driveway. Spread, compact, screed, and finish as usual for a new slab.

Match Slope and Drainage

Be sure thickness is consistent and slope allows proper drainage. Low spots can lead to water pooling. Feather edges for a smooth transition.

Let Fully Cure Before Sealing

Allow the new concrete layer to cure fully before applying any sealers or coatings. This takes about 28 days.

Sealing and Coloring Concrete

Adding color or a sealer coat is a great way to change the look of your new driveway. Here are some tips:

Color Concrete

Concrete dye or stain can add color to cured concrete. Pick a color and apply by spraying or rolling onto the clean concrete surface. Multiple coats may be needed for full saturation.

Seal Concrete

Use a concrete sealer like acrylic, epoxy, or polyurethane to protect and enhance the driveway. Roll it on with a paint roller. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat.

Antiquing for Decorative Finish

For a decorative touch, try antiquing release powder. This is sprinkled onto wet concrete and washed away after curing for a mottled effect.

Saw Cut Control Joints

Use a concrete saw to cut control joints into cured concrete. This controls where natural cracking occurs. Space joints every 6-12 feet.

Troubleshooting Problems

Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:

Problem	Cause	Solution
Cracking	Too much water in mix, overworking concrete, inadequate curing	Use just enough water, don’t overwork, cure properly for days
Pitting	Insufficient mixing, too much finishing, soft aggregate	Mix thoroughly, limit trowel passes, use hard aggregate
Scaling	Freeze-thaw cycles, de-icer chemicals, inadequate curing	Control water usage, limit salt, cure fully before exposure

Catching issues early and correcting the process helps ensure long-lasting concrete work. Test small batches first to perfect your concrete mixing and placement process.

Maintenance Tips

With proper care, a resurfaced driveway can look great for many years. Follow these maintenance tips:

• Seal concrete every 1-2 years to protect from water and salt damage.
• Use de-icer salts minimally in winter to avoid pitting.
• Control weeds by spraying or hand pulling – don’t use weed killers.
• Wash away oil drips from vehicles to prevent staining.
• Fill small cracks with caulk or concrete repair compound.
• Keep drainage areas clear to prevent water pooling on concrete.

Addressing driveway issues promptly reduces further deterioration. For severely damaged areas, cut out and repour new concrete as needed.

Conclusion

Resurfacing a driveway is a challenging DIY project, but also very rewarding. With the proper tools, materials, and techniques, you can give your driveway a brand new look while saving money. The key is taking the time to prepare the site, use quality concrete mix, and let the driveway fully cure before use. Your new driveway will provide great curb appeal and usable outdoor space for years to come.