How to Repair Cracks in Concrete

Covering Your Crack

Concrete work is expensive, and when a concrete sidewalk or concrete driveway is poured, no one expects a crack to form. If expansion joints or control joints aren’t properly constructed, or if the ground isn’t properly compacted before the concrete is poured, the concrete might eventually fail. If a crack develops in concrete, even the smallest crack will generally continue to expand until the concrete sidewalk or driveway becomes a cracked and broken mess. Besides making a home appear neglected, cracks in concrete often cause that concrete to eventually buckle and heave, making it dangerous for passers by to walk upon.

Although cracks in concrete can’t be made completely invisible, cracks can be repaired and made to look better. Anyone can repair cracks in concrete. It doesn’t take a professional to repair a simple crack and improve the appearance of a concrete driveway or sidewalk.

Hairline Crack Repair

It’s obviously best to patch a hairline concrete crack when it is first noticed. Patching a hairline crack in concrete can help prevent that crack from expanding into a much larger crack. Concrete sealer can be used to fill a hairline crack. Concrete sealer is available at most larger home improvement stores, and it is well worth the cost of preventing a much larger problem further down the road.

Large Crack Preparation

A hairline crack that isn’t repaired right away often turns into a larger crack when winter weather arrives. Freezing water settles into the crack causing it to expand. Those with slightly cracked concrete sidewalks and driveways sometimes notice the crack expanding in the winter. That’s why it’s important to take care of hairline cracks as soon as possible.

If a hairline crack in concrete has turned into a large crack, it will need to be cleaned out before the patching and repairing process. Remove any loose concrete, and brush out any other bits and pieces with a wire brush.