How to Fix a Cracked Concrete Patio
A patio can be one of the most used places in the house. If the weather is nice, a patio is a perfect place for you to entertain guests. Patios are usually made out of concrete because of its resistance to elements and its durability. With age, however, the concrete in a patio can crack and weaken. When you see a chip in the concrete patio, fix it as soon as possible Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Garden hose
- Wet/dry vacuum
- Wire brush
- Dry concrete
- Water
- Bucket
- Trowel or putty knife
- Plastic tarp
Instructions
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1
Widen the crack with the hammer and chisel. The crack should be a width of 1 inch and be wider inside the crack than the top edges.
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2
Throughly wet the crack and the area around the crack with the garden hose for at least an hour.
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3
Clean up any excess water with the vacuum. Clean away any dust and debris with the wire brush to make sure you have a perfectly clean area to work with.
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4
Mix the dry concrete with water in a bucket to form the concrete patch for the crack. The concrete patch should feel like very thick mud.
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5
Force the concrete patch into the crack with the putty knife or trowel. Once filled, make sure the top of the patch is smooth and even with the surrounding concrete.
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6
Let the concrete patch dry for an hour and cover it with a plastic tarp for five days. Throughly water the area under the tarp once per day.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the concrete around the crack is still moist before placing the patch in the crack. The moisture in the concrete will keep it from drawing the water out of the concrete patch
Completely fill the crack with the patch. You will get a better seal with the patch when it is filled completely, and it will be less likely to fall apart
