“Replacement would’ve been expensive and disruptive. By resurfacing with NewCrete, we saved the district roughly $50,000 and got a stronger, longer-lasting surface in less than a week.”
This case study highlights how Roe Painting helped the McCall-Donnelly School District in Idaho solve a costly and hazardous concrete problem by using NewCrete, a high-performance resurfacing product from Rapid Set.
When Roe Painting’s team first arrived on-site at Barbara Morgan Elementary School, they were there to discuss a paint project, but quickly noticed the school’s sidewalks were in severe disrepair. Years of snowmelt, salt, and freezing temperatures had caused significant deterioration. The concrete surface was rough, sharp, and unsafe for students and staff. The school had recently demolished and replaced a portion of the front sidewalk for $70,000, and the same damage was occurring on a similar size portion of the front sidewalk directly adjacent to what was replaced.
Rather than recommend another expensive replacement, Roe Painting proposed a more efficient and budget-friendly solution: concrete resurfacing with NewCrete. NewCrete bonds tightly to existing concrete, creating a new surface that looks and performs like freshly poured cement. With a compressive strength of 4,000 PSI (almost double standard concrete) and built-in resistance to salt, ice melt chemicals and the freeze-thaw damage, it is ideal for Idaho’s harsh winters and heavy foot traffic.
The process began with pressure washing and surface preparation to remove debris and weak material. Roe’s crew then repaired cracks and curb edges using another Rapid Set product, VO (Vertical/Overhead Repair Mix), before applying NewCrete in two layers: a base coat to smooth and level the surface, and a wear layer to deliver the final texture and strength. The last step was to cut the expansion joints back into the sidewalk so that the new surface wouldn't crack.
The entire project was completed in just four days, compared to the two and a half weeks it took to replace the previous sidewalk section. The total cost was approximately $20,000, saving the school district roughly $50,000 while minimizing disruption to campus operations.
The results speak for themselves: a restored, durable, slip-resistant walkway that is stronger than the original concrete and resistant to future salt damage. As Project Lead John Barnett explained, “Replacement would’ve been expensive and disruptive. By resurfacing with NewCrete, we saved the district roughly $50,000 and got a stronger, longer-lasting surface in less than a week.”
This case study demonstrates how Roe Painting helps clients make smarter infrastructure decisions by restoring concrete surfaces efficiently and affordably with innovative materials like NewCrete. It is a powerful example of how advanced resurfacing solutions can extend the life of existing concrete, reduce costs, and deliver long-term performance without the mess or downtime of full replacement.
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