How to Repair Cracks in Concrete
Concrete and Masonry, Video by Danny Lipford
Most driveways and patios develop a crack or two in the concrete over the years. These can be caused by everything from tree roots and movement of the soil to freezing and thawing cycles in the winter. Rather than breaking up the slab and pouring a new one, you might want to consider repairing it using a concrete resurfacer.
Start by using a pressure washer to remove any mold, mildew, and dirt. After wetting down the slab, a special masonry cleaning solution is added to the reservoir on the pressure washer and sprayed on the surface.
Once the cleaner has been applied, a high pressure nozzle is attached to the washer and the surface is thoroughly cleaned. Be sure to clean out the cracks out as well, removing any dirt or loose concrete so the patching material will adhere to the concrete.
Next, mix up enough Quikrete® Concrete Resurfacer with water in a five-gallon bucket to fill the cracks.
A mixing paddle chucked in a ½” drill makes preparing the patching material easy.
Make the mixture a thick consistency, and pour in on the cracks.
Use a flat edge trowel to force the mixture deep into the cracks.
Then smooth out the surface.
After allowing the material to dry overnight, a much thinner batch of resurfacer is mixed up. Before applying it, wet the concrete down to prevent it from drying out too quickly.
Once everything is ready, the resurfacer is spread on the slab using a rubber squeegee. Getting a nice even coat without lap mark can take a bit of practice.
When the resurfacer starts to set up, a broom with an extended handle can be used to give the fresh concrete surface texture and prevent it from becoming slippery when wet.
The resurfacer can handle foot traffic after it has set up for about six hours, and cars can drive on it once it has cured for 24 hours. It really made this patio look new again with a whole lot less work than pouring a new slab.
April 6th, 2008 at 6:37 am
YOUR ANSWER TO WHAT HARD WATER WAS, O.K.,BUT
HOW A WATER SOFENER WORKED,UNTRUTHFUL. THE WATER IS NOT FILTERED THRU SALT TABLETS, IF IT WERE IT WOULD BE FAR SALTIER THAN THE OCEAN AND KILL YOU.
BACK-FLUSHING WITH SALT WATER FLUSHES OUT THE HARD MINERALS AND RE-IONIZES THE FILTER MATERIAL TO ATTRACT THE CALCIUM & MAGNEZIUM.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
HOW I FIX POP CORN CEILING?
June 4th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I have areas of concrete garage floor which has settled up to 2 inches in places and is also cracked. Is there a product I can purchase to bring the floor level and at the same time repair cracks?
June 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Our concrete driveway is in need of repair and some damaged areas are wider than what could be termed a “cracks” — more like a shallow hole and the gravel that lies just under the cement surface is exposed. Can we still use the procedures for “cracked” concrete or do we need to remove large sections of concrete and start from scratch.
Ben Erickson Says:June 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hi Cecelia,
I’d fill larger holes with a standard concrete mix, troweling it level with the surface. Once it’s set, you could go over the entire area with resurfacer if you wanted it to all have the same texture and color.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I see a crack down the center of my garage floor which shows a line of water and another wet line across my garage floor (which in concrete). How can I fix this problem. This is the first time I’ve ever seen this wetness after a wind driven rain storm.
Thank you.
Lorraine
August 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Just looked over repairing cracks in a concrete driveway. Thanks!!! I was afraid I would have to live with these because I couldn’t afford to replace the driveway.
Danny, you and your show are truly consumer advocates!
Willie
September 30th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Danny, we have a wall builtin oven and cannot grow the space. Is there any place we can find a 23 or 24W by 25H (greatest length we can go) oven? Help us please since we have no other way to go.
Thanks.
Lin
October 4th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I have large cracks in my driveway. Can I use just use the quikrete to fill the crack,without resurfing the whole slab? Will it expand with the winter frosts? thank you john
October 24th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Last year I hired workers to pour a concrete patio, which bumped up to an existing sidewalk. I questioned them as to whether they should breakup the sidewalk and they said, not necessary. Now I have a huge crack in the patio which follows the line of the sidewalk. Is there anything I can do other than start over?
November 4th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Danny - I have a concrete driveway that has an exposed aggregate finsh. Cracks have developed and I would like to fill them without covering the entire surface as shown in your video.
Thanks for your help
November 8th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
What do you do about concrete floor inside the garage that over time has become pitted in small areas and foams during the winter months. How do you fix?