A cracked concrete patio leads to cracked concrete patio repair work, but before you decide that all is lost and it’s time for a new paving or decking surface, take into consideration these tips from the top of the leading experts.
What To Do With Cracked Concrete Patio?
The first thing to do is assess the state of your concrete and determine why it has cracked and what caused the cracks.
Most often, you probably have vertical cracking that tends to start at a joint between two slabs.
This actually could be due to poor installation as well as the age of the concrete slab or it could be because water has found its way down into these vertical joints [vertical joints now look like horizontal joints].
If this is the case chances are that there’s still plenty of strength in the remaining part of the concrete and therefore you can repair the damage simply by filling these cracks with a concrete crack filler.
Read More: Cover Brick Patio With Cement + Cost Calculator
Tips On How To Fix Cracked Patio Concrete
1. If your patio has large cracks it can be difficult and expensive [time-wise] trying to fill them all with liquid filler, so patch up the worst of them with an epoxy resin, and the remaining smaller cracks can be filled by using a liquid crack filler product.
2. After you have repaired any damage to your concrete patio, apply a penetrating stain or water sealer and allow it to soak into the small hairline cracks before applying a surface protectant such as an acrylic sealant.
This will make the repairs virtually invisible. (See tip 5) [Very useful tips].
3. If there’s too much concrete cracking or peeling off then laying down some boards over the patio and sandblasting it flat is going to be easier than trying to repair all of it because you’ll have larger areas that are more uniform in thickness plus they’re cleaner so repairs bond better.
4. Deep penetrating cracks may need epoxy, polyurethane, or phenolic resins to create a solid surface again.
5. If you have very large holes then fill them with sand and concrete
6. Smaller holes can be filled with self-hardening concrete mix products e.g.: silicate (see tip 2 )
These tips will help protect your investment and keep your patio looking good for many years to come.
Types of Concrete Patio Repair Products
The three main types of products you’ll see in your local hardware store are epoxy and polyurethane resurfacing kits that include silane for extreme strength, polyester resin or phenolic resin for moderate strength and then there’s an acrylic liquid sealer which is more decorative than anything else, and really has no structural value.
Then there are the thin-set mortars: when used on clean dry concrete they will make minor repairs to cement and mortar joints as well as minor surface cracks and chips but are not suitable for larger holes or deep penetrating cracks like hairline cracking.
Abrasive Blends
If the surface of your concrete is rough, chisel it clean using an angle grinder so that you get a good bond with your repair material.
When doing this always wear protective clothing and eye goggles to avoid dust entering your eyes and lungs.
Epoxy Resurfacing Kits [including silane]
These are best used as a last resort when cracks have spread far beyond their original limits.
You’ll be able to build up the surface back to near-uniform thickness by adding coats of resin until you have a solid uniform coating on top.
If these repairs start off in areas where there’s a lot of concrete damage, the best thing to do is to buy some epoxy bonding admixture (which is basically a sponge) and fix the loose areas first (see tip 6).
Polyester Resin or Phenolic Resin
These are best used as a last resort when cracks have spread far beyond their original limits.
You’ll be able to build up the surface back to near-uniform thickness by adding coats of resin until you have a solid uniform coating on top.
If these repairs start off in areas where there’s a lot of concrete damage, the best thing to do is to buy some epoxy bonding admixture (which is basically a sponge) and fix the loose areas first (see tip 6).
Epoxy Bonding Admixture
This is basically a sponge that you mix with your epoxy. As you apply this admixture and the resin hardens it will actually draw out the moisture from the concrete while it’s curing.
When used on clean dry concrete they will make minor repairs to cement and mortar joints as well as minor surface cracks and chips but are not suitable for larger holes or deep penetrating cracks like hairline cracking.
Acrylic Liquid Sealer
Simply spray on this and allow it to soak into any small hairline cracks in the surface of your patio making them virtually invisible.
If your patio has larger cracks or many smaller ones, then using an acrylic liquid crack filler product may be more suitable for sealing these up.
Polyurethane or Epoxy Resurfacing Kits
These are best used as a last resort when cracks have spread far beyond their original limits.
You’ll be able to build up the surface back to near-uniform thickness by adding coats of resin until you have a solid uniform coating on top.
If these repairs start off in areas where there’s a lot of concrete damage, the best thing to do is to buy some epoxy bonding admixture (which is basically a sponge) and fix the loose areas first (see tip 6).
How To Prevent Patio Concrete From Cracking
Maintenance on a regular basis is the best way to prevent your patio concrete from cracking. If you have some minor cracks in your patio area, simply filling them with an acrylic liquid sealer is usually enough.
However, if there’s more severe damage then it may be time for you to consider hiring a professional to assist with repairs or even replacing the concrete entirely.
What Causes Patio Concrete To Crack?
Snowmelt and rainwater can also cause cracks since they seep into joints or percolate between slabs and freeze on cold nights causing ice expansion which loosens and breaks off more pieces of concrete.
Can You Fix Cracked Concrete Patio?
You can definitely repair and resurface patio concrete. The trick is in picking the right product, applying it correctly, and waiting long enough to see results before you sand and seal.
What Can You Put Over Cracked Concrete?
If you want to cover your cracked slab (s) then I would suggest using an asphalt emulsion coating.
These are water-based, environmentally friendly stains/coatings that penetrate and cover the cracks.
They can be used as a crack filler on driveways, sidewalks, or basements to prevent leaks from seeping through the cracks.
Conclusion
A cracked patio concrete patio can be big trouble, especially when you have been trying your very best to look after it.
Before you start thinking about remodeling its appearance or changing its shape altogether, consider spending some time repairing it with sealants and other patching products.
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