Discover the restorative power of concrete crack repair with tips and pictures to match.
Is your once-proud driveway looking more like a spiderweb than a smooth path? Concrete cracks happen, but they don’t have to spell disaster for your curb appeal (or your car’s undercarriage!).
This blog dives into the world of concrete crack repair, exploring both DIY and professional options. We’ll unveil the secrets to a successful fix, from prepping the surface to choosing the right materials.
So, roll up your sleeves or grab your phone for a contractor quote. Either way, you’ll transform your driveway from beaten up to a smooth, functional masterpiece – before and after photos included!
The Cause of Cracked Concrete
Cracked concrete can be a frustrating sight, but understanding the culprit behind the cracks is the first step to a lasting repair.
Movement in the ground beneath the concrete is a common cause, whether from poor soil compaction, expansive clays, or even tree root growth. Extreme weather fluctuations, like intense heat causing expansion or freeze-thaw cycles causing heaving, can also wreak havoc.
Finally, pouring concrete with too much water or allowing it to dry too quickly can lead to shrinkage cracks as the concrete cures.
Here’s a quick rundown of some common crack triggers:
- Improper Subgrade Preparation: Poorly compacted soil or failure to account for expansive clays.
- Weather Extremes: Expansion from high heat or heaving due to freeze-thaw cycles.
- Improper Concrete Mix or Curing: Too much water in the mix or rapid drying during curing.
- Tree Root Growth: Encroaching roots can exert pressure and cause cracks.
- Earthquakes: Can cause fractures in the concrete from tremors.
How Might Earthquakes Impact Concrete
Oklahoma is more known for tornadoes than tremors. However, the frequency of them has surged in recent years.
Since 2009, wastewater disposal practices have led to sharp increases. These earthquakes are typically smaller than those in more seismically active areas.
They can still pose a threat to concrete structures though. The shaking motion causes cracks to develop. This is especially true in older or weakened concrete, potentially impacting driveways, foundations, and other structures.
Do-It-Yourself Concrete Repair
Not all concrete cracks require a professional touch. Hairline cracks (less than ¼ inch wide) and shallow shrinkage cracks are prime candidates for DIY repair. These cracks typically pose minimal structural risk and are more about aesthetics.
A DIY repair can improve the look of your concrete and potentially prevent water infiltration. This is great because water could worsen the cracks over time. Important to remember these repairs might not be permanent solutions though.
Depending on the cause of the crack and environmental factors, they may reappear in a few years. You can fix cracks in your concrete driveway yourself with the right tools and materials. This can help your driveway last longer and look good for many years.
Here’s a step-by-step process for a DIY concrete crack repair:
- Clean and prep the crack: Remove any loose debris and thoroughly clean the crack with a wire brush and water.
- Widen the crack (optional): For deeper cracks (up to ½ inch), use a concrete chisel or grinder to create a slightly wider V-shaped channel to ensure better material adhesion.
- Apply a concrete crack filler: Choose a high-quality, pre-mixed concrete crack filler suitable for exterior applications. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times.
- Smooth and finish: Once the filler dries completely, use a trowel to smooth the repaired area. This method could ensure it blends seamlessly with the surrounding concrete.
Seal the surface (optional): You could apply a penetrating concrete sealer. This will further protect the repaired area from water infiltration and potential future cracking.
When to Call a Professional
At times, damaged concrete require expert help. While some hairline cracks are a cosmetic concern, larger cracks can signal a more serious underlying issue. The same goes for those or those accompanied by movement.
If you notice cracks wider than ¼ inch, particularly stepped cracks or those following a diagonal path, it’s best to call in a professional. The same goes for cracks that run along expansion joints or appear near your home’s foundation.
These breaks could indicate problems with the subgrade or foundation settling. Fractures like this require expert evaluation and repair techniques.
When in doubt, consulting a professional is always advisable. Gator Crete can find the cause of the crack as well as recommend the most suitable repair solution.
Lastly, we’ll provide a long-lasting fix that protects the structural integrity of your driveway or foundation.
Here are some signs that your concrete cracks require professional repair:
- Wide Cracks: Those exceeding ¼ inch in width.
- Stepped or Uneven Cracks: Concrete with a raised edge on one side.
- Diagonal Cracks: Beaks running catty-corner across the concrete.
- Cracks Near Foundation: Fissures appearing close to your house’s foundation.
The Process of Professional Concrete Repair
Professional concrete contractors have a toolbox of techniques to tackle cracks of all sizes. We can handle the repair no matter if it is simple or complex.
For larger cracks or those requiring structural reinforcement, epoxy injection is a common method. Here is a summary of the process. We pump a high-strength epoxy resin into the cleaned and prepped crack. This fills voids bonding the separated concrete sections.
Another approach for deep cracks or uneven slabs is mudjacking. In this method, we pump a grout mixture beneath the concrete. This lifts and levels settled areas.
In some cases, concrete removal and replacement might be necessary. Severely damaged sections may require this in particular.
Here’s a rundown of some professional concrete crack repair methods:
- Epoxy Injection: High-strength epoxy fills cracks and bonds concrete sections.
- Mudjacking: Grout mixture pumped under the concrete to lift and level settled areas.
- Concrete Removal and Replacement: Removing damaged sections of concrete and replacing them entirely.
Finished Concrete!
Hopefully, these topics have given you some insight on cracked concrete repair. Remember that you can do some fixes yourself. On the other hand, nothing beats professional work.
Gator Crete is always here to help with any concrete repairs. Request a free quote or schedule service.
Whether you do it yourself or contact a professional, Gator Crete would love to see your before and after photos. Feel free to tags us on social media @gatorcretellc.
