Our 5-Step Process

How Concrete
Resurfacing Works

No mystery, no surprises. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you request a free estimate to the final walkthrough on your finished surface — and why each step matters.

14+ Years in the GTA  |  3-Year Warranty  |  Free Estimates

Most resurfacing jobs that fail in their first or second winter fail for the same reason: a contractor skipped one of these steps to save time. We don't. Every Artisan Coat project follows the same 5-step process — that's why our 3-year warranty exists and why we get called in to fix other companies' work.

1
Free · 20–30 minutes · No obligation

Free Estimate & Surface Diagnosis

We come to your property, measure the surface, and inspect the condition of the existing concrete. We're looking for: structural integrity, drainage, settling, crack patterns, sealer condition, and prep complexity. We walk you through finish options (Jewelstone, microcement, broom, knockdown) and give you a fixed-price written quote.

If photos are easier, you can also WhatsApp a few pictures of your surface plus a rough measurement and we'll send back ballpark pricing in a few hours.

Why it matters: The diagnosis determines whether resurfacing is even the right call. If a slab is failing structurally (settled, broken in half, undermined drainage), we'll tell you to replace — we don't sell what won't work.
2
Day 1 · 4–8 hours

Surface Preparation

This is the make-or-break step. We pressure-wash the surface to remove dirt and loose material, then diamond-grind or shot-blast to open the concrete pores and remove old sealer, paint, and oxidation. For some surfaces we also acid-etch to ensure perfect chemical bonding.

The goal is a clean, profiled substrate the overlay can mechanically and chemically grip.

  • Pressure-wash with degreaser
  • Diamond grind or shot blast (CSP-3 profile minimum)
  • Acid etch where required
  • Vacuum and dry thoroughly
Why it matters: 90% of failed stamped concrete and overlays we're called in to fix were applied directly over old sealer or unprepped concrete. They had nothing to bond to. Winter finished them.
3
Day 1–2 · varies by condition

Crack & Spall Repair

Every visible crack gets routed (cut wider with a grinder) and filled with structural polymer crack repair. Spalled corners, broken edges, and chipped step nosings are rebuilt with overlay mortar. Settled control joints are addressed.

If your slab has 11 cracks, all 11 get repaired — not just the worst ones.

  • Rout each crack to 1/4–1/2 inch wide
  • Fill with two-part polyurethane crack sealer
  • Rebuild spalled edges with patching mortar
  • Allow proper cure time before overlay
Why it matters: An overlay can hide cosmetic cracks for a season, but unrepaired cracks telegraph through within a year or two. Repair first, finish second.
4
Day 2–3 · 1–3 days depending on finish

Decorative Overlay Application

Now we apply your chosen finish. Each one is its own craft, but the principles are the same: thin layers, proper cure times, controlled environment, no shortcuts.

  • Jewelstone stamped flagstone — 3/8" polymer-modified overlay, hand-stamped with seamless texture skins, integral colour-released
  • Broom or knockdown finish — 1/8" textured overlay, ideal for driveways and large flatwork
  • Microcement — Multiple thin coats hand-trowelled for a seamless interior finish
  • Stained & sealed — Budget option, integral colour with sealer only, no overlay
Why it matters: The visible part of the job — but only as durable as steps 2 and 3 allow. The finish is the cherry on top, not the foundation.
5
Final day · plus 24–72 hour cure

Sealing & Final Walkthrough

Once the overlay has cured, we apply 2–3 coats of premium UV-stable, frost-resistant sealer. For exterior GTA work we use sealers rated for Canadian freeze-thaw cycles — most failures we see in other contractors' work come from using the wrong sealer for our climate.

After the final coat cures (24–72 hours depending on the system), we do a full walkthrough with you, hand over care instructions, and your 3-year warranty starts.

  • Apply primary sealer (penetrating or topical based on finish)
  • Apply UV/frost-resistant topcoat
  • Caulk perimeter expansion joints
  • Final walkthrough + care instructions + warranty handoff
Why it matters: The sealer is what defends your surface against UV fading, road salt, pool chemicals, and freeze-thaw expansion. Choose the wrong sealer and the whole project loses years of life.

Typical Project Timeline

Most resurfacing projects take 2–4 days from prep to final cure. Microcement bathrooms take longer due to multi-layer hand application.

Day 0
Free estimate
Day 1
Prep + repairs
Day 2
Overlay applied
Day 3
Seal + cure
Day 4
Walkthrough

What Makes Our Process Different?

✓ We Never Skip Prep

Diamond grinding takes hours but it's the difference between a finish that lasts 15 years and one that fails in 2.

✓ GTA-Specific Sealers

We use sealers engineered for Canadian freeze-thaw. Other contractors use the same generic sealers as Florida pool decks.

✓ Same Crew, Every Job

No subcontracting. The team that quotes is the team that builds. 14+ years of consistency.

✓ 3-Year Warranty

If anything fails because of materials or workmanship within 3 years, we come back and fix it. No fine print.

Ready to See Step 1?

Book your free estimate. We'll come measure, diagnose, and give you a real quote — no obligation, no pressure.

Book Free Estimate 💬 WhatsApp a Photo

Want more detail? See our case studies for full project breakdowns, or our FAQ page for common questions.

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