How to Fix a Concrete Sidewalk

Keep your concrete sidewalk looking as fresh.

Homeowners do not think much about sidewalks until they become damaged and an eyesore. Sidewalks often handle heavy traffic, but many people do not protect them as they should. As a result, sidewalks often begin to crumble along the edges and can form cracks or pits upon the surface. Even if the rest of your home is in perfect condition, a poorly kept sidewalk can make it appear old beyond its years. Patch your sidewalk quickly and inexpensively yourself to keep your home looking well-maintained.

Things You'll Need

• Protective clothing
• Sledgehammer
• Chisel
• Garden hose
• Large paint roller with telescoping handle
• Concrete bonding agent
• Paintbrush
• Concrete patch
• Metal trowel
• Scrap lumber
• Duplex nails
• Hammer
• Metal weights or rocks
• Prepared concrete
• Spade
• Plastic tarps

Instructions

1. Cover any exposed skin to prevent it from being burned by wet concrete. Cover your eyes with safety glasses. Wear a pair of thick gloves.

2. Remove any broken pieces of concrete along the edge of the sidewalk with a small sledgehammer and a chisel.

3. Spray the sidewalk with a garden hose under medium pressure to clean it thoroughly. Allow the sidewalk to dry completely over the next day or two.

4. Cover the sidewalk with a thick coat of concrete bonding agent using a large paint roller that has a telescoping handle. Dip a paintbrush in the bonding agent and work the material into any nooks and crannies.

5. Apply concrete patch product to any broken or crumbling areas along the edges of the sidewalk with a metal trowel. Make the patch approximately 3/8-inch thick, and smooth it well with a trowel. Once it has just set, apply a second layer. Smooth this concrete patch with the trowel, as well.

6. Build frames from coated scrap lumber and duplex nails to fit around any deep holes in the sidewalk. Set them into place around these areas. Weigh the frames down by placing metal weights or rocks along the top.

7. Fill the frames with prepared concrete until it just covers each of the damaged areas. Use a spade that fits within the frames to gently level and tamp down the concrete.

8. Cover all of the repaired areas with plastic tarps. Once each day, for seven days, remove the tarps and lightly dampen each of the curing areas with a garden hose. Replace the tarps.

9. Remove the tarps and frames after seven days.

References

• On the House with the Carey Brothers & Rebecca Cole: Repairing Concrete Cracks
• Ask the Builder: Concrete Repairs 101