How to Repair Concrete Cracks

You noticed the crack in the sidewalk several weeks ago and scribbled it under procrastinate on your to-do list. Then the other day you stubbed your toe on it while getting the morning paper and the potential danger crossed your mind. Today you tripped over the crack and fell; momma is nowhere around to kiss your skinned knee and make it better and ibuprofen is not working. This weekend you repair the cracks in the concrete.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Dust mask
• Wire brush
• Canned air
• Mason’s hammer
• Mason’s chisel
• Vinyl concrete patching compound
• Water hose
• Pointing trowel
• Wood block

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Instructions

1. Remove any loose material from the crack with a wire brush and blow out the remaining dust and dirt with canned air. The crack must be thoroughly clean to ensure proper bonding of the repair compound to the concrete.

2. Undercut a crack that is more than a ½ -inch wide. Chip away the crack with a mason’s hammer and chisel to make the crack wider below the surface than at the surface. This prevents the concrete patch from popping out under the pressure of changing weather conditions and prolongs the life of your repair.

3. Mix vinyl concrete patching compound according to package directions. Use a hose to wet the walls of the crack and press the compound into it with a pointing trowel. Fill the crack in ¼ -inch thick layers to prevent the compound from cracking when it dries. Let the concrete patching compound cure two to three hours between layers. Blend the final layer of material into the surrounding surface with your trowel or a wooden block.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a block of wood to blend vinyl patching compound on rough surfaces like sidewalks and driveways.

• Concrete repair products may cause burns and the dust can irritate eyes. Protect yourself; use gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask when working with chemicals and concrete.

• Neglected concrete cracks often allow water seepage and can lead to significant foundation or structure damage.

• A structural engineer should evaluate large or reoccurring concrete cracks.

Resources

• Concrete Network