How to Fix Cracks in a Concrete Sidewalk
Concrete is a very strong and durable material made from cement, sand, water and aggregate. It is used to build many interior and exterior elements, including sidewalks and patios. One of the most common problems with concrete is its tendency to crack over time. Fortunately most cracks in concrete are easy to repair with only basic tools. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Wire brush
- Epoxy concrete caulk
- Caulk gun
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Hose
- Paintbrush
- Concrete adhesive
- Concrete repair mix
- Bucket
- Trowel
- Plastic sheets
- Duct tape
Instructions
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Repairing Hairline Cracks
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1
Sweep the area to clear away dust and debris from around the crack. If the crack is wide enough, brush the inside with a wire brush to remove dirt and sweep away loose material.
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2
Mix an epoxy concrete caulk to fill the crack. This product consists of a concrete filler and an epoxy hardener. They must be mixed immediately before application, as epoxy dries very quickly. Use a caulk gun to fill small cracks with this mixture, or force the epoxy into the crack using a putty knife. Wipe away any excess material from the surface of the sidewalk before it can dry.
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3
Allow the sidewalk to dry for at least eight hours before walking on the patched areas.
Repairing Larger Cracks
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4
Widen the crack slightly using a hammer and chisel. The crack should be wider at the bottom than it is on the surface of the sidewalk, creating and inverted V-shape. This helps to hold the patch in place as it dries, and also helps it to bond better with the existing concrete.
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5
Clean the crack using a wire brush. Sweep away any loose particles or aggregate from the crack, making sure to include the edges and walls of the inverted V you created in Step 1.
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6
Spray the crack with a garden hose to wash away any remaining dust particles. You do not need to wait for the concrete to dry before proceeding.
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7
Paint the inside of the crack with a concrete bonding agent. Use a paintbrush to apply this material liberally to the entire surface of the concrete within the cracked area. This material will help the patch to adhere to the existing concrete more effectively.
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8
Blend a concrete repair mix (ready-mix) with water in a bucket. While repair mixes often cost more than mixing your own concrete, you are much more likely to have success with these mixtures. It can be very difficult to mix cement, water and other ingredients at the correct ratio to pour or repair concrete.
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9
Fill the crack with concrete repair mix using a putty knife or trowel. Wipe away excess material from the surface so the patched area is level with the rest of the sidewalk. Use your trowel or a broom to create texture on the patched area to match the nearby concrete.
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10
Wait two hours so the patch can set, then cover it with plastic sheeting. Secure the plastic by taping it to the sidewalk with duct tape. Lift the plastic once a day and spray the concrete with water to slow the drying time and prevent future cracks. Repeat this process once a day for three days, then remove the plastic.
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