By Donna Boyle Schwartz and Tony Carrick | Updated Sep 12, 2023 4:50 PM
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Small cracks in your concrete driveway, patio, or foundation may not seem like much to worry about, and you may be tempted to ignore them. But left to their own devices, they can eventually widen into fissures that require costly repairs. Replacing a crumbling concrete driveway or fixing a crumbling foundation can set you back, on average, about $5,000. Fortunately, you can nip these problems in the bud by repairing cracks yourself with just a few tools and supplies. Learn how to fix cracks in concrete and keep your home’s exterior looking sharp for years to come.
Working Time: 2 hours Total Time: 4 hours Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $25 to $50
Before attempting to fix a crack in a concrete driveway, patio, or foundation, it’s important to first know your limitations. Most DIY crack filler products are designed to fill cracks that are 1/2 inch wide or smaller. If you’re dealing with wider cracks, cracks that are heaving (meaning one side of the crack is pushing up further than the other side), or concrete surfaces with an excessive amount of cracks, it’s probably best to call in a professional to assess the situation.
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Concrete surfaces cannot be repaired with concrete. Instead, use a concrete repair mix; these are readily available at home centers and online. Options include epoxy compounds, latex patching material, and mortar mixes. This last option works best to fill large cracks (or chipped edges), while the other products are suitable for cracks in concrete that are ⅛-inch wide or narrower.
First, use a small hammer and chisel in combination to knock away any cracked, crumbling, or loose concrete. Chip to a depth of about 1 inch below the surface plane. Then, rinse the area thoroughly, scrubbing with a wire brush to dislodge any loose, lingering particles.
Bear in mind that this is dusty work. To facilitate cleanup, you may wish to spread a tarp beneath the work area. Most important, be sure to wear the proper protective gear.
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Giving the repaired concrete time to dry before painting it or exposing it to traffic or water is key to ensuring the repair lasts. Cure times can vary significantly, depending on the type of repair material you’re using. While epoxy crack filler hardens completely in about 4 hours, mortar repair can take up to 28 days to reach its full hardness. Check the manufacturer’s label on the crack filler for concrete curing time.
Many of the strategies for preventing concrete from cracking take place during the laying of the slab; however, there are measures you can take to prevent cracks from forming in an existing concrete foundation, patio, or driveway.
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While cracks in concrete can often be repaired using the above methods, if you’re dealing with larger fissures in your foundation or extensive damage to a driveway or patio, it might be time to call in a professional. Here’s what to look for as you determine how to proceed.
By using a few basic tools and supplies to implement the methods above, you can repair small cracks in your concrete, preventing them from becoming bigger problems. That said, if you don’t feel comfortable tackling this repair yourself, or if you suspect that the issue is bigger than what you can handle, call in a professional for help. Most pros will repair minor cracks in concrete for a few hundred dollars. Whether you handle this repair on your own or call in a professional, it’s important to take care of these issues before these cracks become larger and more costly to fix.
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