We provide concrete repair and resurfacing in St Louis, MO to restore cracked, spalling, and worn surfaces.
We provide concrete repair and resurfacing in St Louis, MO to restore cracked, spalling, and worn surfaces. Our services include concrete crack repair, patching, and overlay systems that give your driveway, patio, or sidewalk a fresh, durable finish. Save money by repairing instead of completely replacing your existing concrete when possible.
St. Louis Concreters provides professional concrete repair throughout St Louis, MO, Missouri and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (314) 207-8572 or request your free quote.
Concrete in St. Louis takes a beating from freeze-thaw cycles, road salt, and clay soil movement. St. Louis Concreters focuses concrete repair work on what actually fails here: surface scaling from salt, cracking from heaving soil, and spalling around garage and driveway joints. Before we talk price or product, we inspect the slab, look for hollow spots, check drainage, and note where water sits after a rain. That tells us whether you only need surface repair or if there is a deeper structural issue.
For typical residential work in the St. Louis area like driveways, walks, porches, patios, and garage floors, we start with a condition assessment. We identify the type of cracks (shrinkage, settlement, or structural), measure slab movement with a straightedge, and test the soundness of the surface by tapping or lightly chipping. We also check the age of the concrete and whether it has been previously sealed or coated, because old cure-and-seal products or paint affect which repair and resurfacing materials will actually bond.
You get a straightforward explanation of what is repairable and what should be replaced. Hairline cracking and surface scaling are usually candidates for resurfacing. Wide, uneven cracks and major sinking may require slab replacement or slabjacking first. St. Louis Concreters does not push resurfacing when we know the slab will keep moving, and we will tell you when a cheaper, targeted repair makes more sense than coating the entire area.
Good concrete repair is mostly in the prep. We begin by cleaning the slab with a high-pressure wash and, if needed, a degreaser where vehicles have leaked oil. Any loose, soft, or delaminated concrete is chipped out with hammers or a small chipping gun so we are bonding to solid material. On garage floors and driveways, we often mechanically grind the surface to remove old sealer, open the pores of the concrete, and provide a clean profile for repair mortar and overlays.
Cracks are opened up with a crack chaser or grinder to form a V or U shape. This feels backward to some homeowners, but it is essential for getting repair material deep into the crack and for preventing the patch from popping out. Depending on whether the crack is static or still moving, we use either a rigid repair mortar or an elastomeric polyurethane joint filler. Larger movement cracks may also get backer rod and joint sealant so the concrete can move slightly without breaking the repair.
Spalled or broken corners on steps and slabs are rebuilt with polymer-modified repair mortars that are specifically designed for feather edging and vertical faces. We lightly dampen the existing concrete first, then apply a bonding agent or use a repair mortar with integral bonding polymers. Everything is finished with steel trowels or brushes to match your existing texture as closely as possible. In cold months, we plan repair work around temperatures, tent and heat small areas when required, and use cold-weather admixtures so the repair cures correctly in St. Louis winters.
When the concrete is structurally sound but ugly or worn, resurfacing can give you a new surface without tearing everything out. St. Louis Concreters installs different overlay and resurfacing systems based on how you use the area. For light-duty patios and walks, a thin polymer-modified overlay is often enough. For driveways and high-traffic surfaces, we use heavier build and higher strength products that can handle vehicles and de-icing salts.
We apply resurfacing products over properly prepped concrete only after verifying moisture conditions are within manufacturer limits. The overlay is mixed on site, placed with squeegees or trowels, and then broomed, stamped, or textured. On pool decks in the St. Louis humidity, we typically recommend slip-resistant, cooler-touch textures rather than smooth finishes that get slick. Around older brick homes in neighborhoods like Lafayette Square and Tower Grove, we can add integral color or light staining to complement existing masonry and avoid the bright white βnew drivewayβ look.
If you want decorative effects, we can incorporate saw-cut patterns, exposed aggregate edge bands, or two-tone coloring. For homeowners with HOAs in areas like Chesterfield or Wildwood, we follow your color and finish guidelines and can provide product data sheets if your board requires approval before work begins. After resurfacing, we apply a sealer selected for the use: breathable penetrating sealers on driveways and salt-exposed areas, film-forming sealers on decorative patios where appearance is a priority.
Concrete repair and resurfacing pricing is based on more than just square footage. St. Louis Concreters considers slab condition, access, prep required, and the type of material needed. A simple crack fill along a front walk is inexpensive, while a heavily scaled driveway that needs grinding and a thick overlay will cost more per square foot. Repairs where multiple trades have to coordinate, such as cutting and patching near foundation work, also affect cost.
Soil movement in certain parts of St. Louis County, especially on clay-heavy lots, often causes recurring cracking and settlement. In those areas, we may recommend adding control joints, redirecting downspouts, or improving drainage at the same time as we repair the concrete. These extras cost a little more upfront but reduce the chance you will be paying for the same repair again in a few years. We will show you where water is running toward the slab and how minor grading or gutter changes can protect your investment.
To keep costs predictable, we provide written proposals that break out repair, optional resurfacing, and sealing as separate line items. You can choose repair only, repair plus a basic broom-finish overlay, or repair plus decorative resurfacing. We also explain the realistic lifespan of each option in our local climate. A simple crack repair may last many years but will still be visible, while a full resurfacing can visually reset the entire area but requires resealing every few years for best appearance and protection.
Most concrete repair and resurfacing work in St. Louis does not require a permit when the existing slab stays in place. However, if we are replacing large portions of a driveway, altering approach aprons to the street, or working in the city right of way, both the City of St. Louis and many county municipalities require permits and inspections. St. Louis Concreters handles those when they apply and schedules inspections so your project does not stall.
Many local HOAs have rules about visible changes to driveways, front walks, and patios. Before we resurface with a decorative finish or different color, we advise you to confirm requirements with your HOA board. We can provide product samples and written descriptions to help you secure approval. On city sidewalks, there are standards for slope and finish. We match those so you are not flagged during future city inspections or point-of-sale requirements.
Weather matters in our region. In peak summer heat we start earlier in the day, adjust mix water, and use set-control admixtures so overlays do not dry too fast or craze. In spring and fall we watch the overnight temperatures and avoid scheduling resurfacing jobs when a sudden cold snap is forecast. You will receive a realistic timeline that includes prep, repair, resurfacing, curing, and when you can walk or drive on the surface again. Light foot traffic is usually allowed within 24 to 48 hours, but vehicle traffic on driveways typically waits 5 to 7 days depending on the system used.
Before you choose anyone for concrete repair or resurfacing, there are a few questions that protect you from poor workmanship. Ask what surface preparation they perform beyond pressure washing. If they do not mention grinding, chipping out loose areas, or profiling the surface, bonding will be suspect. Ask exactly which products they use and whether those products are rated for freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salt exposure, which are realities in our St. Louis winters.
You should also ask to see examples of work that are at least a couple of years old. Concrete repair and resurfacing can look good the first week but fail if the wrong materials or shortcuts were used. St. Louis Concreters can point you to past projects around the metro area and explain how those surfaces have held up. We also provide care instructions, such as avoiding de-icing salts on fresh work the first winter and resealing decorative resurfaced concrete every 2 to 3 years.
Finally, discuss warranty terms and what is covered. No contractor can guarantee that concrete will never crack again, especially on problem soils, but we do stand behind our workmanship and product performance within clear limits. You will know what is normal hairline cracking versus a repair failure that we will address. Our goal is to give you honest expectations and durable results, not quick cover-ups that peel or pop within a season.
Professional concrete repair and resurfacing, done right the first time, quality materials, honest pricing, and results that last.St. Louis Concreters