Cracked Concrete? Learn About Premium Sidewalk Repair Solutions
Cracked concrete is not only unappealing to look at but, if ignored, can become a reason for expensive repairs. Extreme weather conditions are the main reason why cracks might appear on your sidewalks.
With time, minor cracks can become bigger due to water damage. Water that seeps through the cracks not only goes to the soil and damages it but also leads to a freeze-thaw cycle, which in turn makes the sidewalks uneven.
Fixing the cracked concrete is essential to avoid costly repairs. But where to start? Well, for your help, sidewalk repair near me is here with a comprehensive guide to identify the cracks and fix them using good-quality material.
Types of Concrete Cracks
Some of the common types of concrete cracks that might appear on your sidewalks include:
- Shrinking Cracks
- Hairline Cracks
- Setting Slab Cracks
- Heaving Slab Cracks
- Cracks Caused by Tree Roots
- Crusting Cracks
Types of Concrete Crack Repair
Some common methods that you can opt for to fix cracks in your concrete sidewalks include:
Flexible Concrete Caulk
Damage to concrete caulk results from the contraction or expansion of concrete during extreme weather conditions.
Two common types of concrete caulk are non-sag and self-leveling concrete caulk. You can use them together to achieve better results. If you are opting for a DIY option, selecting the better option is essential for the application process.
Polyurea Crack Filler
Polyurea is a semi-rigid repair liquid used to mend cracks and repair spalled or damaged joints. Using polyurea is an efficient option to reinforce the breaks and strengthen the concrete. If you are using polyurea, you will have to go through a lot of prep work.
Epoxy
Epoxy crack fillers are similar to polyurea but they are sandable and instead of sealing the concrete, they help reinforce the crack. You can find the best DIY epoxy products on the market but you can use this to fix cracks in the garage. To fix sidewalk cracks, it is best to hire expert crack concrete repair contractors.
Concrete Patch
You can find concrete patch products at any big store. Patching is a relatively inexpensive option but it is usually temporary. If the concrete patch is rigid, it will not properly bond with the existing concrete.
If concrete expands, contracts, and moves, chipping and cracks will appear after a few months.
Mortar or Grout
Adding mortar and grout to the concrete cracks is also a temporary fix, just like a concrete patch. With time, when concrete moves and shifts due to temperature, the mortar or grout doesn’t flex with it. It can cause the cracks to appear again.
Best Ways to Fix Cracked Concrete
The best way to fix the cracked concrete depends on the area with the cracks. Let us tell you how you can fix cracks on exterior and interior slabs.
Exterior Slabs
Using concrete caulk is the best way to fix the exterior slab, as it is exposed to water and freeze-thaw cycles. Avoid adding rigid materials, including mortar, grout, or additional concrete, as they are rigid and don’t move with concrete.
Interior Slabs
For interior garage slabs, you can use epoxy or polyurea crack filler, as you can shave it and make the surface smooth. Interior slabs don’t undergo a lot of movement due to the controlled temperature.
Narrow and Wide Cracks
Fixing narrow and wide cracks is different. Let us have a look at the ways we can fix these cracks.
Narrow Crack Repair
Narrow cracks that are less than 1/4 inch wide can be repaired by filling the gaps with concrete caulk. Oftentimes, hairline cracks that are not cracked or exposed to water might not need repairs at all.
Wide Crack Repair
Wide cracks bigger than 1/4 inch can also be fixed by using caul, but in some cases, they might need a foam backer, sand, or filler. With the help of foam or sand, you can fill up the voids and gaps within the crack. It also supports and repairs the material while it is curing.
DIY Vs. professional Cracks Repair
Repairing sidewalk cracks on their own might seem cost efficient but in the long run, the damage might appear again. One common reason for taking help from professionals instead of DIY is the lack of experience, knowledge about the material, and availability of tools to fix the damages.
Let us tell you how professionals can revamp your cracked sidewalks.
- Professionals use high-quality material and efficient repair techniques to fix your sidewalks and restore their aesthetic appeal
- With years of experience, professionals become efficient and fix the damage you might get damaged again.
Conclusion
Cracked concrete can lead to bigger problems and fixing them on time is essential. We hope that by reading the article, you will be able to better understand the ways to efficiently repair them.
Moreover, we suggest that instead of doing it yourself, you should rely on professional experts and receive services that survive the test of time.