Options to seal/smooth this over?

https://imgur.com/a/KXeGBUt Wondering if this old spoon drain is somehow repairable/able to be sealed? It's been sitting under dirt/mud for ~25yrs (we just moved in and previous owners just left it covered in dirt from rain runoff). After hosing it off it's quite crumbly/dusty on top, so it's hard to keep clean and means I track dirt/dust through the house after walking on it. I can scrape it with a shovel and it breaks down to sandy/gravelly mix fairly easily (it's hard, but scrapes away far more easily than proper concrete should). Any idea what it actually is? Old damaged concrete vs. pack. vs. concrete that had too little cement? If I can keep/fix it, I just want it relatively smooth/sealed to make it easier to walk on, store some gardening equipment on, and clean-off after rain. Doesn't need to look good - just smooth(ish) and sealed to stop the crumbling. I'm getting retaining walls installed and other measures that will reduce the water/mud flowing onto it, so only looking for advice on whether there's anything that can be done to give me a smooth(ish) surface, or if it will just keep crumbling and destroying any surface that's put on top. I don't mind putting in elbow grease, and I'm happy to pay a pro to come and do it properly. Thanks! P.S. Unfortunately didn't get a response from the r/Concrete sub. submitted by /u/blahdyblah837391 [link] [comments]

Mar 18, 2025 - 01:55

Wondering if this old spoon drain is somehow repairable/able to be sealed? It's been sitting under dirt/mud for ~25yrs (we just moved in and previous owners just left it covered in dirt from rain runoff). After hosing it off it's quite crumbly/dusty on top, so it's hard to keep clean and means I track dirt/dust through the house after walking on it. I can scrape it with a shovel and it breaks down to sandy/gravelly mix fairly easily (it's hard, but scrapes away far more easily than proper concrete should). Any idea what it actually is? Old damaged concrete vs. pack. vs. concrete that had too little cement?

If I can keep/fix it, I just want it relatively smooth/sealed to make it easier to walk on, store some gardening equipment on, and clean-off after rain. Doesn't need to look good - just smooth(ish) and sealed to stop the crumbling.

I'm getting retaining walls installed and other measures that will reduce the water/mud flowing onto it, so only looking for advice on whether there's anything that can be done to give me a smooth(ish) surface, or if it will just keep crumbling and destroying any surface that's put on top. I don't mind putting in elbow grease, and I'm happy to pay a pro to come and do it properly.

Thanks!

P.S. Unfortunately didn't get a response from the r/Concrete sub.

submitted by /u/blahdyblah837391
[link] [comments]