How to Fix Cracks in Concrete
Unsightly cracks in your concrete are a pain. Plus, they can actually get worse over time as moisture builds up and penetrates the surrounding concrete making the crack bigger. In this video from our Fix It in 15:00 series Lou has a couple of different solutions you could use.
Option 1 – Concrete Patch
- Using a chisel and hammer, you’re actually going to make the crack a bit bigger, creating a v-shaped channel (this is for better placement of the concrete patch material)
- Moisten the concrete a bit, either with a spray bottle or sponge
- In a tray, mix together your concrete patch (in this demonstration we’re using Rockite) with some water as per the manufacturer’s instructions
- Using a putty knife, apply the patch to the crack driving down into the channel as deeply as possible to help the bonding process
- As the patch sets (in about a fifteen-minute window), take a wire brush and scrape away as much excess as you can without disturbing the crack
Option 2 – Concrete Caulk
- For smaller cracks, this is a great option… pickup some concrete caulk and load it into your caulk gun
- Apply a steady bead along the crack, working as much into it as possible for proper bonding
- Tool the caulk smooth, with either a putty knife or if you’re using a latex-based product you can even use your finger
- After about twelve hours, the caulk should be dry
Unsightly cracks in your concrete are a pain. Plus, they can actually get worse over time as moisture builds up and penetrates the surrounding concrete making the crack bigger. In this video from our Fix It in 15:00 series Lou has a couple of different solutions you could use.
Option 1 – Concrete Patch
- Using a chisel and hammer, you’re actually going to make the crack a bit bigger, creating a v-shaped channel (this is for better placement of the concrete patch material)
- Moisten the concrete a bit, either with a spray bottle or sponge
- In a tray, mix together your concrete patch (in this demonstration we’re using Rockite) with some water as per the manufacturer’s instructions
- Using a putty knife, apply the patch to the crack driving down into the channel as deeply as possible to help the bonding process
- As the patch sets (in about a fifteen-minute window), take a wire brush and scrape away as much excess as you can without disturbing the crack
Option 2 – Concrete Caulk
- For smaller cracks, this is a great option… pickup some concrete caulk and load it into your caulk gun
- Apply a steady bead along the crack, working as much into it as possible for proper bonding
- Tool the caulk smooth, with either a putty knife or if you’re using a latex-based product you can even use your finger
- After about twelve hours, the caulk should be dry
