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We provide concrete repair and resurfacing services across St Louis, MO to revive cracked, spalling, or damaged surfaces. From driveway crack repair and trip hazard grinding to full tear out and replacement, we match the right solution to your concrete problem. Improve appearance and safety without unnecessary replacement.
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 repair in St. Louis that fixes the real problem, not just the surface
When concrete in St. Louis starts cracking, flaking, or sinking, it is usually from a few predictable causes: freeze-thaw cycles, salt from winter de-icing, poor base preparation, or old joints that were never sealed. St. Louis Concreters focuses concrete repair on fixing those root causes so the same issue does not come back next season.
Our first step is a straightforward inspection. We look for pattern cracking versus random cracking, rust stains that suggest rebar corrosion, hollow-sounding spots that indicate delamination, and drainage routes that may be washing out the base. Outside, we pay attention to where snow piles up, where downspouts discharge, and where street salt collects along driveways and sidewalks. Inside garages and basements, we check for moisture coming through hairline cracks or along cold joints.
Based on what we see, we sort the repair into structural versus cosmetic. Structural issues include heaving slabs, widespread spalling, corners that are breaking off at control joints, or cracks wider than about 1/4 inch that move when you drive over them. Cosmetic problems include light scaling, hairline cracks that do not move, and worn or stained surfaces that are still solid. This distinction matters because it changes whether we recommend full-depth patching, slab jacking, or resurfacing.
St. Louis Concreters will walk you through photos and simple explanations of what is happening to your concrete, in plain language. Our goal is to help you decide whether repair and resurfacing make sense or if full replacement is the smarter long-term choice for your St. Louis property.
Our concrete repair process: from prep to curing
Concrete repair fails most often because of poor prep, especially in a climate like St. Louis where concrete expands and contracts hard every season. We treat prep as the main part of the job, not an afterthought.
Crack repair begins with cutting or chasing the crack to create a clean, uniform channel. We use dust-controlled grinders and saws to open up the crack, then blow out dust and debris with compressed air and vacuum. For active or wider cracks, we often install backer rod before using a flexible polyurethane or polyurea joint filler, which stretches with movement instead of snapping like rigid cement.
For spalled or broken areas, we sawcut the perimeter in straight, square lines so the patch is locked in mechanically. Then we chip out loose material down to sound concrete, sometimes all the way to rebar. If reinforcement is rusted, we clean it and apply a corrosion-inhibiting coating or tie in new bar. We scrub and pressure wash the repair zone, then apply a bonding agent or epoxy depending on the repair mortar we are using.
On settled slabs, such as sunken driveway panels or trip hazards on sidewalks, we may recommend slab lifting. For residential work this is typically polyurethane foam injection instead of older mudjacking mixes. We drill small holes, inject expanding foam under controlled pressure, and lift the slab gradually while monitoring elevation with a level. Foam is lighter and less likely to re-settle in Missouri's clay soils.
Once repairs are placed, we trowel or broom-finish to match surrounding texture as closely as possible. We then control cure times and moisture. In hot St. Louis summers, we may fog-mist or use curing compounds to prevent rapid drying and shrinkage cracking. We will tell you exactly when you can walk, drive, or put weight back on the repaired area, because early use is one of the quickest ways to ruin a repair.
Concrete resurfacing: giving worn slabs a new face
Concrete resurfacing is a cost-effective option when the base slab is structurally sound but the surface is ugly or lightly damaged. Stained, scaled, or lightly cracked driveways, patios, porches, and walkways throughout St. Louis are good candidates for resurfacing by St. Louis Concreters.
We start with aggressive surface prep. This usually means grinding or shot blasting to remove sealers, paint, glue, and weak laitance on the top layer of the concrete. Power washing alone is not enough. The goal is a clean, open-pore surface so the resurfacer locks onto the slab, especially important in our freeze-thaw climate.
Next we address cracks and voids. Hairline cracks may be bridged by the resurfacer itself, but anything larger is routed, filled, and smoothed first. If several areas are delaminated or hollow, we repair those before resurfacing so we are not coating over loose spots. Only once the base concrete is sound do we move to the overlay.
For the overlay, we typically use polymer-modified cement resurfacers that bond chemically and mechanically to the existing slab. We install them in thin lifts, often from 1/16 to 1/4 inch thick, using squeegees and trowels carefully so the product does not streak or puddle. On driveways we nearly always apply a broom texture for traction in winter, while patios and walkways may get a light broom or subtle texture pattern.
Curing is managed closely, since thin overlays can dry out quickly in St. Louis heat and humidity swings. We protect the surface from direct sun and wind when needed. Once cured, we strongly recommend a penetrating sealer that resists salt and moisture. This sealer is one of the biggest factors in how long your resurfaced concrete will last in Missouri weather.
Design and finish options for repaired and resurfaced concrete
Most people think of concrete repair as patching gray spots, but we can often use repairs and resurfacing as a chance to upgrade the look of your property. St. Louis Concreters offers practical finish options that balance traction, durability, and appearance.
For driveways, a standard broom finish is still one of the best choices. It matches most existing suburban St. Louis surfaces and provides grip during freezing rain and snow. Where we resurface an entire driveway, we can choose broom direction and joint layout carefully so your patched areas do not look like a patchwork.
On patios and porches, we can use troweled, lightly textured, or knockdown-style finishes that are easier on bare feet and furniture. With resurfacing, we can also introduce subtle color by using integral color in the overlay or applying stain after curing. We avoid very dark colors for exterior slabs exposed to sun, since they absorb heat in Missouri summers and can cause faster surface wear.
Decorative options need to be balanced with maintenance. Heavily textured or stamped overlays look appealing, but in a repair context we usually recommend more conservative textures so snow removal and ice control remain straightforward. If your HOA in St. Louis County or city subdivision has rules about driveway or sidewalk appearance, we can match the existing neighborhood look, including joint spacing and texture, to avoid compliance issues.
For commercial entries, walkways, and warehouse slabs, we often focus on slip resistance and cleanability. We can incorporate fine aggregates or light broom textures into repair zones so employees have safe footing while still allowing for easy sweeping and scrubbing.
What affects the cost of concrete repair in St. Louis
Concrete repair pricing is driven by more than just square footage. When St. Louis Concreters gives you a quote, we base it on specific conditions on your property and the materials required to fix them correctly.
Key cost drivers include access and layout. A simple front sidewalk with clear access from the street is faster to work on than a backyard patio that requires moving materials through a narrow side yard or around landscaping. Multi-level or steep driveways in south city and some west county neighborhoods may require extra safety measures and setup time.
The type and severity of damage matters. Routing and sealing a few static cracks costs far less than lifting a settled slab, installing dowels, or rebuilding broken corners. Extensive spalling or salt damage, which is common along driveway aprons near the street where plows throw salt, can require more deep patching and higher-performance materials.
Material selection also affects pricing. Polyurethane slab lifting foam, high-build polymer overlays, and specialty mortars with corrosion inhibitors cost more up front than basic cement mixes but usually last longer. During your estimate, we will explain the tradeoffs so you can decide when the upgrade is worth it.
Finally, timing and staging can influence cost. Evening or weekend work for commercial sites, or phased repairs for busy driveways that must remain partially open, take more time and planning. We also look at weather windows because concrete repair done correctly in St. Louis often avoids the coldest weeks of winter and the hottest afternoons of summer to reduce risk of failure.
We provide written estimates that separate preparation, repair, resurfacing, and sealing whenever it makes sense. This helps you see exactly where your money is going and plan for future phases if you want to break work into stages.
What St. Louis homeowners should know before hiring for concrete repair
Before you hire any contractor for concrete repair or resurfacing in St. Louis, there are practical items to check so the job does not create more problems than it solves.
First, confirm licensing and insurance. In the City of St. Louis and many St. Louis County municipalities, concrete work in the public right of way, such as sidewalks or driveway approaches, may require a permit and inspection. St. Louis Concreters can help you determine whether your project falls under these rules and can coordinate permits when needed.
Second, ask specifically how the contractor handles prep. If the plan is to simply caulk visible cracks or smear patch on top of flaking areas without grinding, cleaning, or sawcutting edges, the fix will likely not survive a few freeze-thaw cycles. A solid repair plan should mention concrete profiling, bonding agents or epoxies when appropriate, and curing methods.
Third, discuss drainage and grading. If your driveway or patio slopes toward your house now, resurfacing without reshaping can trap water against the foundation. We evaluate slope and may recommend targeted grinding, patching, or lifting so water runs away from your home instead of toward it.
Fourth, clarify what is included after the work is done. Ask about sealing, joint sealing, and recommendations for winter care. We provide maintenance guidance that matches St. Louis realities, such as being careful with de-icers during the first winter on new or resurfaced concrete and using calcium chloride products instead of rock salt when possible.
Finally, ask to see local examples. St. Louis Concreters can point you to completed repairs and resurfaced driveways and patios in neighborhoods near you, so you can see in person how these solutions look a year or two after installation, not just on the first day. That is the best test of whether a repair method actually holds up in Missouri conditions.
