Cracks in your concrete garage floor, patio or driveway are a common problem. Not only are they unpleasant to look at but they are also a path for water to enter and make the problem worse.
The good news is that small concrete cracks are easy to repair. With just a few tools and an hour or two of spare time, the crack can be repaired.
Clean the area around the crack with a grease cutting cleaner to remove any oil that may be on the concrete surface.
Now use a hammer and cold chisel to break up any large pieces of concrete in the crack. As you chisel the hole, chisel at an angle to make the base of the hole slightly wider than the surface. This will help lock the patch in place.
Next take a broom or brush and vacuum to thoroughly remove any debris from the crack.
Now you are ready to patch the crack. Several types of concrete filler are available at your local hardware store, Lowes and Home Depot. Concrete filler is available in squeeze tubes and in a type that requires mixing. If you use the type that requires mixing, follow the manufacturers’ directions. If you use the squeeze tube, cut the top off and slowly fill the crack. Use a trowel or putty knife, something with a straight edge, to smooth the patch. Give the patch a few minutes to settle and add more filler if needed.
Follow the manufacturers’ direction for curing time. After the recommended curing time. Check to be sure that the crack is filled and that no more filler is needed. If more filler is needed, add and the let it cure again.
Now it is time to seal the patch with a good water based sealer. There are many sealers available but I prefer a good water based polyurethane because it dries quickly and a second coat can be added in just a few hours.
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