They are not only a tripping hazard, but cracks in your concrete patio, driveway, or walkway can really compromise the curb appeal of your home. You've let these imperfections linger long enough. Here's how to fix them—easily!
Photo: shutterstock.com
A stained concrete floor also adds warmth to an environment, and cleaning is easy with just a broom or a lightweight vacuum. When the foundation of your home or building settles – and most foundations do – hairline fractures and cracks can appear in the concrete, marring an otherwise smooth finish and allowing dampness to creep into a room.
Installations of concrete can last hundreds of years, but sooner or later, most end up developing small cracks, gaps, holes, and crevices. If your concrete path, patio, or driveway has begun to show its age, make the necessary repairs sooner rather than later. After all, what’s a small problem today is only going to get bigger and more difficult (or expensive) to fix. While in some cases it takes a pro to work successfully with concrete, almost anyone can fix cracks in concrete.
Here’s how it’s done.
Photo: shutterstock.com
PC-Concrete Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive Paste for Crack Repair PC Concrete is a well-known name in this industry. This epoxy adhesive paste for concrete crack repair is one of the best concrete crack fillers available in the market. It lends considerable strength and durability to the concrete and doesn’t break off with regular wear and tear. New Homes’ – Cracks that occur in the first few months or years. Shrinkage cracks. When a garage floor is first poured, the concrete begins to harden (contractors say cure) and when this process takes place the concrete shrinks a little; a 20 foot square of freshly poured concrete. Video on how to turn your cracked concrete into a beautiful concrete floor. Tips on fixing cracks, chips, spalls, uneven spots and more. Make sure your contr.
STEP 1: Choose your concrete repair product.
Concrete surfaces cannot be repaired with concrete. Instead, use a concrete repair mix; these are readily available at home centers and online. Options include epoxy compounds, latex patching material, and mortar mixes. This last option works best to fill large cracks (or chipped edges), while the other products are suitable for cracks in concrete that are ⅛-inch wide or narrower.
STEP 2: Prepare the cracked area for patching.
First, use a small hammer and chisel in combination to knock away any cracked, crumbling, or loose concrete. Chip to a depth of about one inch below the surface plane. Then, rinse the area thoroughly, scrubbing with a wire brush to dislodge any loose, lingering particles.
Bear in mind that this is dusty work. To facilitate cleanup, you may wish to spread a tarp beneath the work area. Most important, be sure to wear the proper protective gear.
STEP 3: Fix the concrete crack with your selected repair product.
- Epoxy or latex. To concrete cracks ⅛-inch wide or narrower, apply an epoxy or latex patching product (view example on Amazon), mixed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The material goes on either with a mason’s trowel or a putty knife. Force it all the way into the crack, then smooth the product level with the surrounding concrete. Different mixes cure differently; again, consult the directions listed on your chosen product.
- Mortar mix. For larger imperfections in concrete, use a mortar mix. Creating your own mix is as simple as combining one part Portland cement, three parts masonry sand, and just enough water to form a thick paste (though you can also purchase repair mortar mixes, locally or in some cases, online. Moisten (but do not drench) the problem area, then apply the mortar mix with either a mason’s trowel or a putty knife. As you work, take pains to eliminate air pockets by pressing down firmly on the applied product. Finally, smooth the patch so that it’s level with the surrounding concrete. Let it cure for about two hours, then cover the area with plastic sheeting to keep it moist. Sprinkle water under the plastic every day for a few days or until the surface has hardened up.
Prevent future cracks in concrete by following a few tips from the pros.
A DIY Guide for the homeowner who wants to repair a cracked concrete floor.
Most cracks in basement floors can be repaired by yourself with a do it yourself epoxy concrete crack repair kit.
Basement floors crack for a many reasons:
1. Newly poured concrete shrinks when it dries. If no expansion joints are cut into the concrete floor then shrinkage cracks will likely appear. These are quite common.
2. The sub-base wasn't properly compacted and the concrete settled in one area causing the basement floor to sink and crack.
3. While under construction, the basement floor isn't heated in the winter and the dirt under the concrete freezes, causing it to expand. The sub-base heaves and lifts the basement floor, causing it to crack.
There are some other reasons like, the concrete was poured too wet, or too much calcium chloride was added to the mix and it dried too fast, or the concrete was improperly cured. All these will lead to shrinkage cracking at some point.
If you determine the cracks in your basement floor are due to settling or heaving, then that is a sub-base issue and the concrete may have to be removed to correct that issue.
Repairing these cellar floor cracks will only be temporary if the concrete continues to move up or down.
If you think the concrete floor is done moving, you can repair those cracks and the shrinkage cracks with an epoxy material you inject into the crack and add a silica sand for a filler.
This will weld the crack together creating an excellent basement floor repair.
Basic steps for repairing a basement floor crack.
STEP 1. Clean out the cellar floor crack with a vacuum, remove any loose cement or aggregates.
STEP 2. Inject the crack weld resin into the crack to wet it, it will soon get tacky.
STEP 3. Push the dry silica sand into the crack to fill it.
STEP 4. Thoroughly saturate the sand with the crack weld resin and fill it to the surface.
STEP 5. In 10 - 15 minutes scrape the surface level with a putty knife.
STEP 6. Sand the surface smooth or lightly grind it with a small concrete floor grinder for a neat appearance.
Hairline concrete cracks can be done without the sand. Wide concrete cracks can first be filled partially with the sand then start with step 2.
This crack weld material sets up very quickly, only do 10 - 15 feet at one time.
Radonseal makes a Do It Yourself basement floor crack repair kit that has all the repair materials included. They also have a couple of great videos that visually explain how to use this crack weld material. |
Watch this video of how I fix a basement floor crack!
If you have a really wet basement with standing water and puddles click on BASEMENT FLOOR WATERPROOFING to learn how to fix having a wet basement.
If your basement floor is just damp or moist click on WATERPROOFING BASEMENT FLOORS to learn how to have a dry basement.
Click on BASEMENT FLOOR DRAIN to learn how to install a drain in your basement floor.
To learn how to install insulation on top of your basement floor click on BASEMENT FLOOR INSULATION.
How To Repair Cracks In Concrete Floor Australia
Return from Basement floor cracks to Everything About Concrete home page
How To Fix Cracks In Concrete Floor
If you liked this, please share. Thanks!