What Imperfections Can Actually Be Fixed Before We Apply Microcement?

There’s a difference between a surface that needs to be replaced, and one that simply needs a new finish.

We come across this all the time. Concrete floors that are structurally sound but have chips, wear marks, or stains. Tiles that are in great condition, but belong to a completely different era.

When the structure is sound, microcement can be used to create a new finish over the top; avoiding the costly, time-consuming and often inconvenient process of demolition.

Before microcement installation, we assess the substrate, determine what can be repaired and carry out the preparation required to create a suitable base for the microcement system.

So, what kinds of imperfections can we actually work with?

If you’re interested in microcement resurfacing, find more information in the Resurfacing Hub.

Chipped concrete

A chip in concrete can look significant, particularly when it occurs on an exposed edge, stair or corner. But if the damage is localised and the concrete around it remains sound, it doesn’t necessarily mean the entire element needs replacing.

Damaged areas can just be rebuilt during the substrate preparation phase, creating the profile we need before the microcement system is applied.

Holes from old fixtures and services

Renovations have a way of leaving evidence behind. We see this frequently in shopping centre fit-outs, where displays, shelving, counters and other fixtures may be moved or replaced frequently (especially as these spaces change hands often). Once these elements are removed, fixing points and penetrations can be left behind in otherwise perfectly serviceable surfaces.

These kinds of localised imperfections can often be addressed as part of preparing the substrate. It means a microcement surface doesn’t have to be dictated by where something used to be.

Grout lines and tiled surfaces

When we resurface suitable existing tiles, one of the obvious challenges is the grout lines. You can't simply trowel a thin finish straight over tiles and expect it to be smooth.

The tiled surface needs to be levelled so that it provides an even base for the subsequent layers of the microcement system. This allows us to move from a surface visually divided by individual tiles and grout joints to a continuous microcement finish.

The important word here is suitable. If tiles are loose, drummy or there are underlying waterproofing issues, covering them isn't a solution. Those issues need to be addressed first.

Stains and discolouration

Sometimes the surface itself is still in good condition, but years of use have left behind stains and discolouration that are difficult or impossible to remove.

This is common with older concrete floors, particularly in garages, commercial spaces and high-traffic areas where oil, spills, previous coatings or general wear can leave permanent marks. It can also happen in outdoor areas where existing materials aren’t UV stable.

In this case, there’s nothing preventing microcement from being applied on top.

Minor surface irregularities

Existing substrates aren't always perfectly flat or consistent, particularly once they have been lived with, built over and altered for years.

Small imperfections and variations can often be dealt with through the preparation process before the decorative coats begin. This might involved grinding, sanding, or levelling. Even textured masonry surfaces like brick walls can be resurfaced. That’s where a screed or another base layer may be required first.

There is, however, an important distinction between correcting localised imperfections or a small issues with an otherwise stable substrate — and trying to use microcement to fix a fundamentally unsuitable surface.

Microcement is a thin finish. It isn't intended to compensate for major structural problems or significant discrepancies in the surface below.

What about cracks?

Cracks need a little more investigation. The question isn't simply whether we can fill a crack. We need to understand why it cracked in the first place.

A stable hairline crack might be suitable for resurfacing. But one caused by ongoing movement — called an ‘active’ crack — shouldn’t be troweled over. Simply covering an active issue doesn't stop the substrate underneath from continuing to move.

Ongoing movement = substrate failure = cracked microcement.

The surface doesn't need to look perfect. It needs to be a suitable substrate.

This is probably the biggest distinction. When we first look at an existing surface, we're judging whether it can be made into a sound and reliable base for the X-Bond system.

Chips, holes, stains and other cosmetic surface-level imperfections can look dramatic while being relatively straightforward to address. On the other hand, a surface that looks fairly good at first glance may reveal movement, moisture or adhesion issues that require much more attention.

Not every substrate will be suitable — it needs to be stable, sound and capable of providing a reliable base for the new system.

That assessment and preparation is a large part of achieving a good microcement finish. By the time you see the final hand-trowelled surface, many of the problems we started with have already been dealt with underneath.

So, if you have an existing surface with chips, patches, holes or other imperfections, don't assume demolition is the only option. We can assess what you're working with and determine what can be repaired, what needs further attention and whether the surface is suitable for X-Bond.