How to Repair Concrete Foundation Slabs
Concrete foundations can need repairing over time as the ground settles under the house, putting a strain on the foundation, eventually causing cracks to appear in various locations. Cracks can seem unimportant, but if left unattended they can grow into a more serious problem as they enlarge. Using a special bonding epoxy that is designed for concrete will not only fill the crack, but help to prevent the cracks from becoming larger. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Masons chisel
- Dry vacuum machine
- Concrete epoxy
- 1 bag concrete sand
- Putty knife
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Instructions
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Chip away any loose concrete around the edges of the crack that is to be repaired. Carefully navigate the masons chisel into the crack and chip away any loose concrete inside the crack. The masons chisel is designed with a tempered steel to withstand the work use needed with working with concrete.
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Turn on the Dry Vac and vacuum out the crack, cleaning away any dust, debris and pieces of concrete. The cleaner the crack is, the better the epoxy will adhere to the concrete foundation.
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Mix a portion of sand in with the concrete epoxy, following the manufacturer guidelines for the right amount. Use the putty knife to mix the two together. Adding the concrete sand will help the epoxy to adhere to the existing concrete.
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Start at one end of the crack and press the epoxy mixture down into the crack using the putty knife. Work the putty knife with the epoxy back and forth in the crack to ensure it is all the way down to the bottom of the crack, then fill in additional putty as needed until the crack is filled. Smooth off the epoxy mixture so that it is flush with the top edges of the concrete foundation. Allow the mixture adequate time to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid direct inhalation of the fumes of the epoxy as this could cause disorientation or internal injuries.
Avoid contact of the epoxy to the skins as long term exposure could cause skin irritation or burns.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cracked wall image by Abrie Viljoen from Fotolia.com
