How To Repair Deep Cracks In Concrete

This time of yr I starting time to detect all the flaws in my driveway, steps, and walkways.

While doing a routine fall preventive maintenance check at one of our rental houses I noticed a sizable gap on the walkway betwixt a concrete step and landing area.

The gap was near 1/ii inch wide and seemed to be getting bigger over time. Although this could just be my bad eyesight (anyone else feel my pain here!).

I'd like to avoid the possibility of the cleft getting larger and creating additional fractures.

My goals for this quick projection were to fill the large crevice,make it watertight, and allow it to expand/contract with the natural freeze & thaw cycles.

These are the supplies y'all'll need

Broom
Foam Tubing (aka Polyfoam Caulk Saver)
Concrete Fissure Filler
Pair of scissors
These Amazon links aid support HRT, many thanks for using them

The full cost of this project if yous have to purchase everything is $23.fifteen.

I'm going out on a limb and bold most of you lot own a broom and physical crevice filler (LOL, just kidding). If you own a broom and scissors the total price is $eleven.twenty.

If your crack is less than 1/4 inch then you don't even need the foam tubing.

Filling and repairing cracks in concrete is super important to prevent further damage. This is an piece of cake fix and I walk you through it via a video as well as a step-by-stride guide.

So allow'south get started because today you're going to discover a new cost-saving home repair fix

Clean the Crack-Step 1

Use a broom or brush to clean the crack. By the way, the brush I'g using in this video was my grandfather's. Before he passed away he had the presence of mind to give away all of his material possessions except for few tools.

I kept his brush and a few mason trowels every bit a reminder that you tin build annihilation if you're willing to larn and be persistent.

If your physical crack has grease on information technology visit your local hardware or auto parts store and ask them for a production that will help remove the residue.

The crack I was working with was the result of the step and landing area pulling abroad from each other. It was a control articulation that was purposely put in place to prevent cracks from occurring.

This control joint, unfortunately, became "out of control" and widened too much over the last sixty years. If water continues to go into the huge crack it will keep to separate the step and landing area from each other.

And the blazon of repair that this process volition lead to can be very expensive to fix.

Insert Foam Tubing (aka Polyfoam Caulk Saver) into Large Cracks-Step ii

The crack I had to repair was about 1/2 inch broad.

Although Sakrete crack filler can be used for cracks upwardly to this size information technology's all-time to fill in large gaps with the foam tubing.

The foam tubing should be slightly wider than the cleft to create a tight fit. I used a 5/8 inch broad diversity.

Add foam tubing to large concrete cracks

Identify the tubing in the scissure and push information technology down. There should be a 1/4 inch space between the top of the foam tubing and the top of the concrete cleft.

This i/four inch infinite is where the physical crack filler will exist poured.

Click on this link for more than details on the polyfoam caulk saver.

It's made by Frost Rex who also has a ton of other great weatherizing products.

Bank check out their website (world wide web.frostking.com) because y'all'll get a lot of great ideas of how to keep the cold conditions from increasing your heating bill.

Employ Concrete Fissure Filler-Pace 3

This is the fun part. Exercise you call up doing those crazy art projects in course school?

This is the adult version AND it saves y'all money in the long run.

Shake the concrete fissure sealer vigorously for about 15 to 30 seconds.

Apply a 1/4 inch deep layer of concrete crack filler to the concrete crack

Cutting the applicator tip with your pair of scissors (or a utility pocketknife or a steak knife-unless you're vegetarian).

Clasp the bottle and allow the crack filler to seal the crack where the cream tubing resides.

Let the filler to setup for 24 hours earlier walking or driving on it. I checked my crack filler (this phrase would have gotten me a demerit in Catholic schoolhouse and certainly I'd take detention by the end of this tutorial) after thirty minutes and it wasn't tacky.

Click on this link for more than data on the Sakrete crack filler I used.

If your scissure is super deep (DEMERIT!) you tin can add together a second application. A 24 hour wait time is needed between each successive application.

I didn't trowel or smooth out the Sakrete concrete cleft filler. You'll find that it is self-leveling and will expect fine after information technology settles.

Here'due south a video of this repair projection. You should scout it considering information technology walks y'all through the unabridged process.

What's Next

Our tutorial showing how to repair concrete expansion joints as well comes in handy – and will save you a ton of coin.

If y'all're doing a bathroom remodel and need help, bring together one of our online courses – they'll make your bathroom renovation much easier!

Let me know if you lot have any questions and I'll do my best to assist.

Cheers,

Jeff

Physical Fissure Filler