Your driveway is the first thing people see. When it's faded, oil-stained or flaking, it drags down the whole look of the house. But if the slab underneath is solid, you don't need a new driveway — you need a new surface.
We refinish the top surface of existing driveways only; we don't pour or replace them. Here's how it works. This guide belongs to our concrete resurfacing hub.
What spalling and scaling are
Spalling and scaling are when the top layer of concrete flakes or pops off, exposing rough aggregate. It's often caused by freeze-thaw cycles, deicing salts, or a weak finish when the concrete was first placed. The damage is usually shallow, which makes it a good resurfacing candidate.
Can your driveway be refinished?
Walk your driveway and look for these signs:
- ▸Good candidate: fading, staining, light scaling, hairline cracks, dated plain gray
- ▸Good candidate: oil and rust stains that won't come out
- ▸Not a candidate: sunken or heaved slabs, trip-hazard offsets, crumbling sections
- ▸Not a candidate: wide cracks with one side higher than the other
How a driveway is refinished
1. Clean and profile
We degrease oil spots and pressure-wash, then mechanically profile the surface so the overlay bonds.
2. Treat cracks and surface defects
Hairline cracks and spalled areas are filled and leveled as part of prep. Control joints are preserved so the slab can still move naturally.
3. Apply the new surface
Options include a smooth or broom-finish overlay, stamped patterns, or stain for sound slabs.
4. Seal
A sealer rated for vehicle traffic protects against oil, water and UV.
Protecting your refinished driveway
Avoid deicing salts where possible — sand is gentler. Clean oil drips promptly, and reseal every few years. Don't let heavy equipment like dumpsters or moving trucks sit on the edges.
Considering other surfaces? See resurfacing vs. replacement, the resurfacing cost guide, or our driveway resurfacing service.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fix a sunken driveway?
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No. Sunken or heaved slabs need structural work; we only refinish sound surfaces.
When can I drive on a refinished driveway?
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Typically a few days after the final sealer, depending on the system and weather. We'll give you exact timing.
Will oil stains show through?
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We degrease and prime stained areas during prep so they don't bleed through the new surface.