How to Repair Wide Cracks in Concrete

Wide cracks in concrete are best patched and sealed with a concrete patching
compound. Smaller cracks, less than 1/4 inch wide, can be repaired with a concrete
caulk or liquid filler. Patching compounds typically are mixed with water and applied with
a trowel. They have a texture similar to grout and can be smoothed and textured to
blend with the surrounding area. However, the color of the patch will look like new
concrete and will not match the old concrete. Hiding the patch completely requires
painting the surface with an appropriate concrete paint.

How to Repair Wide Concrete Cracks

The secret to fixing wide concrete cracks is to undercut the sides of the crack to give it
an inverted "V" shape. This helps the repair material to "key" into the crack, creating a
mechanical bond in addition to the chemical bond between the patch material and the
concrete.

1. Chisel the crack with a hammer and masonry chisel to widen the base of the
crack and to dislodge any loose material from the old concrete.
2. Remove all debris from the crack, using a wire brush. If desired, clean the crack
with a pressure washer or a garden hose and spray nozzle.
3. Remove all water and debris from the crack with a wet/dry shop vacuum or a
brush. Work carefully to remove all dust and grit from the crack. It's OK if the
surfaces are wet, but there should be no pools of water.
4. Mix the concrete patching compound, following the manufacturer's directions.

1. Trowel the compound into the crack. Stab the trowel into the compound to
remove air pockets and help work the patching material deep into the crack. Fill
the crack up to the surrounding concrete surface.
2. Smooth the surface of the patch with the trowel, feathering the compound into
the surrounding concrete.
3. Brush the surface of the patching compound with a dry paintbrush to texture the
surface, if desired.
4. Let the compound cure as directed.
5. Paint or seal the surface of the patch and surrounding area, if desired.
How to Repair Narrow Concrete Cracks

Narrow concrete cracks can be filled using masonry crack elastomeric filler that can be
applied with a caulking gun. Alternatively, many products come in bottles with an
applicator tip. Very small cracks, such as hairline cracks, can be repaired using a vinyl
concrete patching compound applied over the crack and then smoothed with a putty
knife or trowel. For hairline cracks, applying repair caulk or crack filler over the cracks
usually is not effective, as the caulk tends to peel off of the surface over time.

Narrow cracks can be deep, often extending through the entire thickness of the
concrete slab. Therefore, it's a good idea to start the repair by stuffing foam backer rod
into the crack to create a base to hold the repair material. Backer rod is solid in a variety
of sizes; use a rod diameter that is slightly larger than the width of the crack. Stuff the
backer rod into the crack with a screwdriver to a depth of 1/4 inch. Fill the crack with the
repair material, following the manufacturer's directions.