How to Fix a Concrete Walkway
Building a walkway out of concrete can be a good idea if you are looking for a material that can last for a long time and withstand the daily pressures the environment can throw at it. Concrete is also nice because it offers clean lines and a smooth surface which people can easily tread on. This material, however, is not impervious to damage and can be cracked under heavy weight or a shift in the ground you have built it on. If you notice your concrete walkway beginning to get damaged, you should take some time to properly fix it in order to keep from having to re-lay the entire path. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pressure washer
- Masonry cleaner
- Instant concrete re-surfacer
- Two 5 gallon buckets
- Trowel
- Garden hose
- Plastic squeegee
- Broom
Instructions
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1
Spray the entire area down with the pressure washer. Make sure to remove any dirt or mildew which may be in the crack. Make sure you have a clean as area as possible.
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2
Add masonry cleaner to the water tank on the pressure washer. Spray the concrete down one more time with the cleaning solution in the water.
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3
Pour one pack of instant concrete in a 5-gallon bucket. (You can use a brand like Quickcrete Resurfacer). Add water and mix the resurfacing solution until it is the mixture is thick. It should look like mud.
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4
Spread the concrete mixture in the crack using a trowel. Make sure you completely fill the crack.
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5
Smooth out the concrete patch so that it is even with the surrounding concrete.
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6
Mix another batch of the resurfacing solution in a second 5- gallon bucket. This batch should be thinner and look like paint. Add more water to this solution than you did to the first one to help make the compound thinner.
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Wet down the concrete. Spread the thinner re-surfacer on top of the entire walkway using a plastic squeegee on a long pole. You will almost be painting this material on top of the concrete.
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8
Tap the compound with a broom to give the concrete some texture and keep it from becoming slippery. Let the surface dry for 24 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
When applying the second coat of the resurfacer, work to smooth out the compound and get rid on any squeegee lines. This may take some practice.
Making sure the concrete is clean and slightly damp and cool is important. This will keep the patch from losing water and help it to form a strong bond.
