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Restore tired surfaces with expert concrete repair in Scranton, PA. We fix cracks, spalling, and settlement on driveways, sidewalks, patios, and slabs. Our repair and resurfacing solutions extend the life of your concrete and improve appearance without the cost of full replacement when it is not needed.
Superior Concrete Scranton provides professional concrete repair throughout Scranton, PA, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (570) 708-4358 or request your free quote.
Concrete repair for Scranton homes and businesses
In Scranton and the surrounding Lackawanna County area, concrete does a lot of hard work in tough conditions. Freeze and thaw cycles, salt from winter plowing, older foundations, and shifting fill soils all add up to cracks, spalling, and trip hazards. Superior Concrete Scranton focuses on concrete repair and resurfacing that fits how properties here are actually built, from 1920s brick homes with narrow driveways to newer commercial pads off Meadow Avenue.
When we visit your property, we start with a walk-through and a simple question: is this concrete structurally sound or not? If the slab is still solid and only the surface is damaged, resurfacing or patch repair is usually your most cost effective option. If the slab is settling, rocking, or breaking apart through the full depth, we talk honestly about whether replacement is smarter than repair. Our goal is to keep as much of your existing concrete as practical, while giving you a finish that looks clean and is safe to walk and drive on.
Most of our local repair work involves driveways, sidewalks, front steps, garage floors, and small commercial entries. Each of those has slightly different needs. A driveway in Green Ridge might need joint repairs and salt resistant sealer, while a West Scranton sidewalk near the curb might mostly need trip hazard grinding and crack filling so it passes local codes and keeps pedestrians safe.
How our concrete repair process actually works
Concrete repair is not just smearing some patch material in a crack. Done right, there is a clear sequence so the fix bonds properly and lasts through Scranton winters.
1) Inspection and moisture check: We look for the source of the damage, not just the symptom. For example, if a garage floor is flaking, we check for deicing salts carried in from the driveway, poor drainage at the foundation wall, or a previous sealer that is peeling. We also check for active moisture using simple tests so new materials do not debond.
2) Surface preparation: This is where many quick fixes fail. We mechanically clean the area using grinders, wire wheels, or, for larger surfaces, a surface grinder or shot blasting. Any loose, hollow, or weak concrete is removed until we get to solid material. For cracks, we rout them slightly wider in a controlled way so repair mortar or epoxy has enough surface to grip.
3) Choosing the repair material: For narrow non-moving cracks, we often use a flexible polyurethane or epoxy crack filler that can handle some movement. For spalled or broken edges on steps and slabs, we use polymer modified repair mortars designed to bond to existing concrete. On high traffic commercial entries or loading zones, we may use fast setting, high strength repair products so you can reopen the area the same day or next morning.
4) Placing and finishing the repair: We dampen the concrete (if required by the product), apply a bonding agent when needed, then pack repair mortar tightly into place. For corners and step noses, we form and trowel them so the new edge matches the original dimensions. Flat repairs are finished to match the existing texture as closely as possible, whether that is broomed, lightly troweled, or slightly rough for traction.
5) Curing and protection: The first 24 to 72 hours are critical. We protect the area from traffic, rapid drying, and rain. On exterior work, we time repairs around Scranton weather, especially during spring and fall when temperatures swing between cold nights and warmer days. Once cured, we often apply a breathable sealer that helps resist salt and water penetration without trapping moisture inside the slab.
Concrete resurfacing for tired or ugly slabs
If your concrete is structurally sound but looks worn, stained, or lightly pitted, resurfacing can give it a fresh face without tearing everything out. This is common on older Scranton sidewalks, porches, and basement or garage floors where the top 1/8 to 1/4 inch is rough but the base slab is still good.
Our resurfacing process begins with aggressive cleaning and profiling. We usually grind the surface to remove old paint, sealers, glue, and weak laitance. This step is more involved than a pressure wash, and it is essential if you want the new surface to bond instead of peel next winter.
For most residential jobs, we apply a polymer modified cement overlay that bonds to your existing slab. Thickness can range from a thin skim coat to about half an inch, depending on how much leveling and repair is needed. On a sloped driveway off Pittston Avenue, for example, we may keep it thinner to preserve proper drainage so meltwater flows to the street instead of back toward your garage.
You have options on how the resurfaced concrete looks. We can do a standard broom finish that blends in with neighboring sidewalks, a light texture that adds slip resistance on steeper driveways, or a smoother interior finish for basements and shops. Color tinting can be added for a uniform light gray or more decorative tone. We are careful to set realistic expectations. Resurfacing greatly improves appearance and function, but it will not completely hide deep structural cracks or major settlement.
Costs for resurfacing are mainly driven by three things: how much prep is needed (grinding and patching), total square footage, and the type of overlay or finish you choose. We walk you through these choices on site so there are no surprises once we start the work.
Common concrete problems we see in Scranton and how we fix them
Certain issues show up again and again around Scranton because of our climate and older housing stock. Superior Concrete Scranton has developed specific approaches for these recurring problems so we can tell you up front what is realistic.
Freeze-thaw spalling and scaling: The top surface of the concrete flakes off, often in patches, and you may see aggregate showing. This is usually caused by water and road salts getting into the surface, then freezing. For light to moderate cases, we remove loose material, patch deeper pits with repair mortar, then apply a resurfacing overlay. For severe scaling on thin or poorly poured slabs, replacement may be more cost effective, and we explain that clearly.
Settled sidewalk panels: In many Scranton neighborhoods, sidewalk sections tilt toward the street or heave at joints, creating trip hazards. If the slab is mostly sound but uneven, we may use grinding to smooth the high spots or, in some cases, slab leveling to lift low areas. Cracks at the joints are cleaned, filled, and sealed so water has a harder time getting under the slab in winter.
Cracked driveways and garage aprons: Narrow, hairline cracks are often cosmetic and can be sealed to keep water and salt out. Wider cracks that hold water or shift when you drive over them suggest movement in the base. In these cases we might remove a strip along the crack, rebuild the base, then repour that section so it ties cleanly into the remaining slab. For driveways that are heavily cracked in a spiderweb pattern, we will compare the cost of extensive repair versus a full tear out and replacement, and help you decide based on how long you plan to stay in the home.
Old steps and porches: Many front stoops in Scranton have worn treads, broken corners, or loose patch jobs from years ago. We chip out failed patches, pin and rebuild corners with high strength mortar, then resurface treads so water sheds properly and the edges are consistent. For porches that also have railing posts, we work carefully around those connections so your railings stay secure and code compliant.
What to know before hiring a concrete repair contractor in Scranton
Choosing the right contractor for concrete repair and resurfacing matters because a poor repair can fail in one or two winters. Here are a few things we encourage Scranton property owners to consider before hiring anyone, including us.
Ask how they handle preparation: Any quote that does not mention grinding, mechanical cleaning, or removal of weak concrete is a red flag. Proper prep is usually the biggest part of the labor. At Superior Concrete Scranton, we specify in writing how we will prepare the surface for your particular project so you know what you are paying for.
Confirm products and curing times: There is a big difference between a quick patch from a hardware store and commercial grade repair materials. We match products to the season and use overlays rated for freeze-thaw and deicing salts. We also explain how long you must stay off the surface. For example, light foot traffic might be allowed after a day, but vehicle traffic might need 3 to 7 days, depending on temperatures.
Discuss drainage and water issues: Many concrete problems start with water running where it should not. Before we start, we look at gutters, downspouts, driveway slope, and nearby landscaping. Sometimes a small change, like extending a downspout or saw cutting a control joint, can greatly extend the life of the repair. We include those suggestions in our proposal so you can see the full picture.
Understand limitations and warranties: No honest contractor can promise that concrete will never crack, especially in our freeze-thaw climate. What we can do is control where cracks are likely to occur, seal them, and choose materials that handle movement better. Superior Concrete Scranton offers clear, written warranty terms on our repair and resurfacing work, and we walk you through what is covered and what is not.
If you would like to talk through options for your driveway, sidewalk, steps, or concrete floor, we are happy to visit your property, explain the condition in plain language, and give you a written estimate tailored to how you actually use the space.
