Driveway Resurfacing: Is It Worth It? A Sydney Guide

A stained, patchy or plain grey driveway doesn't have to be ripped out. If the concrete underneath is sound, it can be resurfaced in a few days for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Here's how it works and how to tell if your driveway is a good candidate.

Is your driveway suitable?

Resurfacing suits driveways that are structurally fine but look tired: oil stains, faded colour, surface wear, patchy repairs or hairline cracks.

It doesn't suit driveways that are heaving, sinking, badly broken up or moving with tree roots. A coating can't fix a slab that's moving underneath. If that's yours, we'll say so at the assessment.

How spray-crete resurfacing works

• Clean: the slab is pressure cleaned to remove dirt, oil and loose material.
• Repair: cracks are cut out and repaired so they don't come straight back through.
• Bond: a polymer bonding coat goes on so the new surface grips the old concrete.
• Spray: the spray-crete is sprayed on, and a stencil or slate pattern is cut in before it sets.
• Seal: two coats of UV-stable, non-slip sealer finish the job.

The finished layer is about 2 to 4 mm thick, so it doesn't change your levels at the garage or footpath.

How long it takes

Most driveways take 2 to 3 days. You can walk on it after 24 hours and drive on it after 48 to 72 hours.

How long it lasts

Typically 10 to 15 years on a driveway, with a reseal around year seven to keep the colour strong. The sealer has a non-slip additive and the texture adds grip, so it isn't slippery when wet.

Patterns and colours

You can choose a plain finish, a stencil pattern or a slate look, in a range of colours from light greys and sandstones to charcoal. Have a look at our spray-crete colour chart and driveway photos.

Cost

Driveway resurfacing starts from $65/m². See our concrete resurfacing cost guide for what changes the price, or read more about our driveway resurfacing.

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