FAQ for Fort Lauderdale, FL

Concrete shrinks as it cures, the ground under it settles, and roots and heavy loads push on it. Control joints are meant to guide cracks into straight lines. Without enough of them, the slab cracks where it wants to.

Usually not right away. They do let some water in, so sealing them is inexpensive protection. Watch for cracks that widen, lengthen or become uneven.

Not with filler alone. A filled crack shows as a neat line. Resurfacing or coating over the repair is what hides it.

Spalling is concrete that flakes, pits or breaks away. In South Florida it is usually caused by salt rusting the steel inside the concrete.

Some companies lift slabs by pumping material underneath. We do not offer lifting. We replace sunken sections on a properly compacted base, which also lets us fix what caused the sinking.

Resurfacing bonds a thin new layer over sound concrete. Replacing means breaking out the old slab and pouring a new one. Resurfacing costs less but only works on a solid base.

Many years when it has a good bond to a sound slab and kept sealed. Sun, standing water and salt are what shorten its life.

Film forming sealers on sunny surfaces often need renewing every two to three years. Penetrating sealers last longer. If water no longer beads on the surface, it is time.

Often, yes. Cleaning, color touch-up and a fresh coat of sealer bring back most faded stamped concrete. Failed sealer may need to be stripped first.

Both work when the concrete is ground first. Polyaspartic cures faster and does not yellow in sunlight, so it is a common choice for top coats here.

Paint sits on top of smooth concrete and softens under hot tires. Professional coatings bond into concrete that has been mechanically ground.

Sweating is usually humid air condensing on a cool slab. A coating does not stop condensation, but it seals the slab so the moisture wipes off and does not soak in. We test for moisture rising through the slab first.

It depends on size, depth of damage, prep, access and finish. See our cost guide for the details, or ask for a free written estimate.

Yes. Free, written and itemized.

Crack repairs and small patches are often done in a day. Resurfacing and coatings take two to four days. Replacing sections takes a few days plus about a week of curing before cars.

Yes. We plan around afternoon storms and protect fresh work from rain.

Pick one who explains the cause of the damage, describes the prep, and gives a written itemized estimate. Our concrete contractor page has a full list of questions to ask.