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DIY Concrete Patio Makeover

A cheap and easy DIY patio makeover that will drastically improve the look of your outdoor space! Concrete patio ideas that are cheap and easy. 

I transformed our ugly old concrete patio with some cleaning and an easy-to-apply tinted sealer!

Here’s how to do it yourself…

Concrete Patio Makeover: Cleaning

When we moved into our new house the back concrete patio was in rough shape.

It had been stained over the years from leaf debris and dirt ground into concrete that I suspect was never sealed.

I started out by using a Driveway & Concrete Cleaner.

I diluted it according to the instructions and applied it with a stiff brush.

Well after I used the cleaner the concrete still looked super dark and stained.

So I decided to try another approach to restoring the concrete.

DIY Patio Makeover Sealer

I found this concrete sealer at my local Lowes. There were two options – semi-transparent and solid.

Since I wanted to cover the old stains, I decided on this solid color and went with the concrete gray base color.

You could also have it tinted about a dozen different colors.

First I thoroughly cleaned the concrete with our leaf blower and a broom. You don’t want any dust or dirt on the concrete. If you haven’t cleaned it with a pressure washer, I also suggest doing that at this point.

I then applied the concrete sealer with a high nap roller that was recommended for concrete applications.

The sealer is SUPER watery so it was easy to apply. I ended up needing two full cans when I thought one would do.

So plan on the coverage area being less than described on the can.

I recommend taping along any surfaces you don’t want the stain to get on.

This picture shows the change in the concrete – it really was night and day!

I was pleased with the sealer’s coverage – you really can’t see any of the old dark marks through the sealer.

It took me a few hours to paint the entire patio with the sealer. 

Another easy DIY paint project that can be completed in under a day is this whitewash brick fireplace – click here to check it out

DIY Concrete Patio Makeover Conclusion

And here is the patio a month later with lots of use.

I’m sure the dirt would wash off with the pressure washer.

The gallons of sealer were $30 each and the cleaner was $10. So the total cost for the patio facelift was $70.

So cheap for such a huge improvement in the look of our back patio!

I’m really pleased with how nice the patio looks now. Any questions? Please leave a comment below or send me a message on The Frugal South’s Facebook page

For some cheap pantry shelves, check out this post. 

Check out these other easy DIY projects on my site: 

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Clearwater Concrete

Thursday 6th of June 2024

This DIY concrete patio makeover showcases practical and cost-effective ways to enhance the appearance of concrete patios. It provides useful tips for homeowners looking to improve their outdoor spaces on a budget.

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