Can You Nail Down a Concrete Floor?

When to Replace the Slab

• Cracks due to settling concrete go all the way through the slab and cause an uneven surface. These kind of cracks indicate that the ground underneath the concrete, called the sub-grade, is unstable. Unstable ground beneath a slab can also cause portions of your concrete to sink. Neither of these conditions are repairable. Remove the slab and contact a soil expert in your area. They will be able to tell you how to stabilize the sub-grade before you pour a new slab. If only the top portion of your concrete is cracked, crumbling or peeling, but the rest is structurally sound, you will most likely be able to repair it.

Overlays

• Concrete overlays are secured to the existing concrete with concrete paint. The paint is made by adding water to Portland cement until the mixture reaches the consistency of regular house paint. Spread the paint over a clean surface free of any debris or loose concrete, then pour your overlay mixture onto the paint. Concrete paint dries quickly, so only paint small areas at a time.

Textured Overlays

• An overlay can be stamped or textured, depending on the look you want for your floor. Apply two coats of concrete paint to ensure a strong bond, if you plan on texturing or stamping. Textured concrete is sprayed onto the existing slab rather than poured. Stamped concrete is accomplished by scoring or imprinting a pattern on a freshly poured slab or overlay.

Staining

• Once you've determined that the damage to your concrete floor is minimal, you may decide to simply stain it. Fix large gouges with concrete patch, but consider leaving smaller cracks and imperfections for added character. Acid and aniline dyes produce a rich grained or mottled surface. Solvent-based stains are like wood stains; they penetrate the concrete and highlight its existing grain and texture. Acrylic and water-based stains are environmentally friendly and are available in a wide array of colors. Choose a penetrating stain from a reputable company to ensure a long-lasting stain.