Don't replace your driveway, patio or basement floor—just resurface it.

"Overlays are not designed to repair cracks," says Tim Lowe of Increte Systems. But if a crack is left unrepaired it will result in problems, including causing the overlay to crack and fail itself.

A decorative concrete overlay is only as good as the surface it is applied to. Use proper surface preparation to ensure a successful finished product. The most essential step to ensure a successful ...