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| Repairing Common Concrete Problems |
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| Here are tips and suggestions on how to patch and repair concrete. Take the time to read these directions thoroughly to save time, money and effort. This will also help you end up with a neater, more satisfactory job-with far less waste. |
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REPAIRING HAIRLINE CRACKS
- You can repair hairline cracks in concrete with a grout made of Portland cement and water. Add just enough water to the cement to form a thick paste.
- Moisten the old concrete along the hairline crack with water for several hours before adding the grout. Moistening the concrete prevents it from drawing the water from the grout, which will dry out the mixture. Although the old concrete should be moist, no water should be standing on the surface when the grout is applied.
- After the hairline crack has been moistened and thoroughly cleaned, apply the grout with a putty knife or pointing trowel. Force the grout into the crack as much as possible. Then smooth it off so it is level with the original concrete.
- Allow the patched area to dry about two hours. Then, cover the area with a piece of plastic sheeting or a board.
- Keep the area covered for about five days. Lift the covering once each day and sprinkle the area with water.
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REPAIRING CRACKS IN SIDEWALKS
- Cracks in sidewalks that are larger than hairline cracks must be enlarged before they can be satisfactorily repaired. Enlarge the crack along its entire length with a cold chisel and hammer.
- Make the crack wider at the bottom than at the top. This is known as undercutting. It helps to bond the new concrete with the older concrete.
- Undercut the crack to a minimum depth of 1". The depth of the undercutting depends on the size and depth of the crack to be repaired.
- After the crack has been thoroughly undercut, remove all loose material and brush the area with a wire brush.
- Use a garden hose or a tire pump to blow or wash away the dust in the crack.
- The new concrete patch will hold better if a concrete adhesive is used first. There are many types of concrete adhesives. Acrylic resin-a milky fluid-is one common type. Brush the adhesive into the undercut area and allow it to dry until it becomes tacky.
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- If you do not use a cement adhesive, thoroughly brush and soak the area to be patched. Moistening the area prevents the old concrete from absorbing all the moisture in the concrete patch. Although it should be moist, no water should be standing on the area where the patch is to be applied.
- Tamp the concrete patch mix tightly into the undercut area. Be sure to fill all areas completely.
- When the mixture begins to set, smooth it down with either a metal trowel or a wooden float. Use a metal trowel for a smooth finish. For a rough surface, use a wood float for the finishing job.
- After the patch is completed, allow it to dry for about two hours. Then cover the patched area completely with plastic sheeting or boards.
- Keep the area covered for about five days. Lift the cover once each day to wet down the repaired area, permitting the new concrete to cure correctly.
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REPAIRING CRACKS IN A CONCRETE DRIVEWAY
- You can repair a crack in a concrete driveway in basically the same way as a crack in a concrete sidewalk. However, since the driveway must carry heavier weight loads, the repaired area must withstand much greater pressure.
- Use a gravel mix, rather than a sand mix, for repairing concrete driveways. This mix is one part Portland cement, two parts sand and three parts gravel.
- Thoroughly clean and then undercut the crack. Brush cement adhesive into the undercut area.
- Undercut the cracked area to a greater depth and make the cracks considerably wider than when repairing a sidewalk. This extra depth and width increases the strength of the repair job.
- Follow all of the steps outlined previously in repairing a crack in a sidewalk to repair a crack in a concrete driveway.
- After the gravel mix has been applied, level the new patch mix off with a trowel or float, as you would do when repairing a sidewalk.
- Cover the patched area for five days, wetting it down once each day.
- Do not drive an automobile over the patched area for at least five days. This gives the newly patched section time to dry thoroughly before it must carry the heavy load of an automobile or truck.
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PATCHING HOLES IN WALKS OR DRIVEWAYS
- How you patch holes in sidewalks and driveways depends on the depth and the size of the hole. If the hole is extremely deep and large, you must undercut it as previously described and fill the area with a gravel mix.
- Small, shallow holes in flat-surfaced concrete-such as driveways, patios or sidewalks-can easily be repaired with latex cement. If the hole is small and shallow, no chipping away is required.
- Small, shallow holes need only to be cleaned thoroughly before adding the latex cement.
- This cleaning can usually be done with a wire brush, which removes all the small pieces of loose concrete when you rub the area thoroughly.
- After using the wire brush on the damaged area, use a lighter brush to remove the loose particles that were dislodged by the wire brush. Then, wash the area to be repaired with a garden hose.
- After the cleaning is done, you are ready to apply the latex cement. This usually comes in 5-lb. cans, with the liquid latex in a smaller can inside a larger can.
- Pour the liquid latex into the larger can and thoroughly mix it with the latex cement to form a heavy paste. Apply this paste to the area to be patched in approximately 1/4" layers. Smooth each layer with a trowel and allow to partially dry before applying the next layer.
- Build up the latex cement 1/4" at a time until it reaches the same level as the original concrete. Then, smooth out the area with a trowel or float as you would finish regular concrete.
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Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document. |
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