How to Repair Concrete

Concrete is strong and looks tough, but it can wear away with time and cracks and crumble due to usage. Weather elements, usage, and nature, take their toll, and one has to repair the concrete floors, walks, and structures at some time. High temperature and excessive moisture can leave their impacts and make the concrete weak over time. The results are broken crumbling areas. Therefore, one should take care of the issue right away before the problem gets worse. It is essential to do the repairs properly so that they last long.

The most common problems with concrete surfaces are cracks, spalling and broken corners. Repairing the concrete requires certain skills and few tools. One should note that it can be cumbersome to work with concrete as it is heavy and mixing it can be loads of hard work. However, before you get down to do the repair work, it is essential to know what caused the problem in the first place and take care of that apart from doing the repair work. A concrete mix comprises of sand, gravel, and cement.

Steps to repair concrete

The first step is to assess the damage and see if the concrete is full of broken edges and spalled areas. For severely damages areas, the concrete has already weakened, and chances are the repair patches will not last. In such cases, it is best to call in an expert concrete contractor and ask him to assess the situation. Sometimes it is cheaper to replace the concrete rather than have it repaired. However, for minor damages, one can easily go for the option of repairs.

The key to making a good and lasting repair is to cut around the damaged area in the solid concrete. Make the cut about 3/8 in deep so that the patch is not thin. It is seen that most repairs do not last as the repair patches are not thi9ck enough and soon wear away at the edges and start breaking off. The cutup should be broader at the base than at the top so as to help “lock in” the patch. Make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing and safety gear as a dust cloud will get stirred up.

Once the cut is made, moisten the area to loosen the concrete in the repair area. Use a wood float to pack in the patch mix and leave the mix somewhat higher as compared to the surface of the old concrete. One can estimate the patching material volume by multiplying length, width, and thickness of the repair area approximately. It is best to get a bit more than wheat is required. Just follow the mixing directions on the package and mix with water and acrylic fortifier that strengthens the new concrete. Avoid adding too much water as this will weaken the concrete. Once set, leave it for a day or two before you can walk on it or use. The curing and hardening go on for weeks.

Before making any repairs, troubleshoot the cause behind so that you will not end up doing more repairs.