Restore Worn Concrete with Micro-Topping in Portland
Damaged, patched or discoloured concrete slabs don't always need to be torn out. A micro-topping is a thin polymer-modified layer that bonds to the existing slab, creating a fresh, seamless surface ready for any finish. Portland Concrete handles the full process: substrate assessment, mechanical prep, primer application, and multi-lift trowelling. Call for a free written estimate.
Not every damaged slab warrants removal. If the concrete is structurally sound but cosmetically compromised, stained, patched unevenly, or too worn to accept a direct finish, a micro-topping offers a faster, cleaner alternative.
The process begins with a thorough substrate evaluation. We identify cracks, moisture issues, and surface profile needs. Once the slab is deemed structurally adequate, we mechanically prepare the surface, apply a bonding primer, and trowel the polymer-modified topping in thin, controlled lifts. The result is a smooth, sound base that accepts polished finishes, stained colour, or sealed protection.
Structural failure, heaving, or deep moving cracks signal that the slab itself must be replaced. A micro-topping addresses surface-level cosmetic problems only. We assess each slab honestly and recommend the right path forward.
Recent work
Installation sequence
The Micro-Topping Installation Process in Portland
Evaluate slab condition and finish plan
We inspect the existing concrete for structural integrity, identify repair needs, and confirm what finish will go on top. This determines the topping thickness and primer selection.
Mechanically profile and repair substrate
The slab surface is ground to the right profile for adhesion, cracks are sealed, and any soft spots are addressed. The substrate is then cleaned and primed per manufacturer specifications.
Trowel topping in controlled lifts
The polymer-modified topping is applied in thin, overlapping passes. Each lift is trowelled tight to the substrate, building to the final thickness with a smooth, even surface.
Burnish, cure and finish application
The topping is burnished to the desired sheen, cured to schedule, then the final finish (polish, stain, or sealer) is applied. The entire system cures before the space is returned to use.
Finishing options
Finishes That Work Over Micro-Topping Surfaces
The topping itself is not the final look. It is the prepared base for whatever finish the room requires. Most homeowners choose polished concrete for its durability and brightness, but the topping accepts any interior floor system.
Stained finishes layer colour into the topping for warmth and depth. A clear sealer alone provides a clean, satin appearance. For homes with radiant heating, heated floor underlayment is installed beneath the topping, creating a complete thermal system. The topping bonds over the underlayment without compromising heat transfer.
When micro-topping makes sense, thickness, finishes above and what it cannot fix in Portland.
A few millimetres total, applied in lifts. It is not a full overlay; it is a thin resurfacing that bonds to the substrate and gives the next finish a clean canvas.
When the slab has structural problems, heaving, deep cracks that move, base failure. The topping fixes a cosmetic-grade slab problem, not a structural one. We assess the slab and tell you straight which side of the line it is on.
Any of the interior finishes we install, polish, stain, or a clear sealer. The topping is engineered to take them all.
Done properly, no. The lifts blend together and the burnish produces a uniform surface. We pre-test on a sample area for tricky finishes to confirm the look before doing the whole floor.
Yes. Heated floor underlayment goes down first to encase the radiant heat tubing, then the micro-topping over it, then the finish above. The whole stack works as one heated floor system.
Homeowner reviews
What Portland Homeowners Say About Their Micro-Topping Floors
Old basement slab was patched and ugly. They micro-topped it then polished, and now it reads as a brand-new floor without the tear-out and mess of a replacement.
H. B.
Portland
★★★★★
Saved us a slab replacement on the main floor. Micro-topping plus stain plus seal gave us exactly the look we wanted, and the existing slab is hidden underneath.
M. L.
Vancouver
★★★★★
Knew the answer when they walked in, micro-topping was the move because of how patched our slab was. Done in less than a week and the new floor looks seamless.
P. O.
Gresham
★★★★★
Combined with heated floor underlayment underneath. The radiant heat warms the topping evenly and the finished floor is exactly the same look top to bottom.
U. E.
Hillsboro
From the blog
Concrete Guides & Articles
Practical reading on planning, finishes and caring for concrete in Portland.
Worn or damaged slab that you'd rather not replace? Tell us the room, the finish you envision, and we'll assess the substrate, design the topping system, and provide a written quote with a firm completion date.
