Concrete is a durable material, but it's not immune to cracking. Cracks in concrete can range from being an unsightly, non-structural issue to being detrimental to the structural integrity and safety of a building. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to repair cracks in concrete, depending on the size and severity of the damage. For patching jobs, engineers use a concrete patching compound.
Concrete surfaces cannot be repaired with concrete; instead, use a concrete repair mix, which is available at home centers and online. Options include epoxy compounds, latex patch material and mortar mixes. The latter option works best for filling large cracks (or chipped edges), while the other products are suitable for cracks in concrete inch wide or narrower. If your driveway, patio or other concrete surface has cracks, they can often be repaired.
In some cases, concrete crack repair can be a simple DIY project, in others it may require a professional concrete contractor to correct the damage, and in the most extreme cases, concrete may need to be removed and replaced. Concrete that is cracked only on the surface or that has fine cracks where both sides of the crack are still level can be successfully repaired. This helps the repair material get into the crack, creating a mechanical bond in addition to the chemical bond between the patch material and the concrete. Other reasons why cracks occur are pouring concrete over a frozen site or the absence of control joints. Rest assured that even with the best floor design and proper construction, cracks in concrete are very common and, in some situations, inevitable.
However, it is important to keep a close eye on these cracks, as they can form a weakness in the concrete. Apart from the appearance, cracking cracks do not greatly affect the strength or durability of the concrete as long as there is no water intrusion, which can lead to further deterioration of the concrete. Depending on the specific requirements of the job, crack repair by epoxy injection can restore structural integrity and reduce water penetration through concrete cracks measuring 0.05mm wide or more. While in some cases a professional is needed to work successfully with concrete, almost anyone can fix cracks in concrete. However, if left untreated, a non-structural crack can facilitate the entry of moisture and other destructive environmental substances that can lead to corrosion of the reinforcement, making the concrete structure unsafe. Concrete installations can last hundreds of years, but sooner or later, most end up developing small cracks, gaps, holes and cracks. Waterproofing joints, cracks and voids in concrete, brick, masonry, stucco and metal structures is essential for preventing water infiltration into buildings.
Cutting it too late results in uncontrolled cracking since shrinkage cracking has already begun during the concrete hardening process. Plastic slump cracks form while the concrete remains plastic during the initial setting of the concrete. Shrinkage cracks caused by air pockets in concrete can occur within a few hours of concrete pouring.
