What to Know About Concrete Cleaners From QUIKRETEยฎ
October 29, 2024
Cracks in concrete driveways range from surface-level crazing to deep crevices extending through the slab. Unruly tree roots, rapid freeze-thaw cycles, and even the wet concrete mix drying too fast can all cause cracks to appear. And once that happens, you have to fix the damage, or it will get worse.
Although a skilled contractor can perform the repairs, Iโve found that fixing cracked concrete is a beginner-friendly DIY project. Your efforts will help boost your homeโs curb appeal and increase the life span of your driveway, so itโs very rewarding, too. See if youโre comfortable performing the repairs with help from this step-by-step guide on how to repair cracks in concrete driveways.
For minor cracks, you typically need only to apply a little resurfacing compound, but deeper cracks require a little more work. Youโll need to seal the fissures with filler to stop them from spreading and restore your drivewayโs appearance.
In either case, though, you may be able to do the work yourself. Hereโs how to complete this DIY repair project.
Tools and Materials
Steps
Crack filler is only a lasting fix for fissures ยผโ wide or smaller. Anything wider than that points to an underlying issue that will require help from a professional. You can still repair the damage, but itโs likely to open back up and ruin all your hard work. If youโd like to go ahead anyway, put a concrete backer rod in the large cracks before filling it with sealant.
Repairing cracks in your driveway is a worthwhile project, even if the sight of them doesnโt bother you in the slightest. These are just some of the benefits youโll enjoy after fixing the damage.
Your homeโs curb appeal largely depends on the condition of your driveway. A smooth, damage-free surface makes a great first impression, allowing you to easily attract interested buyers if you ever sell your home. Homebuyers are even willing to pay up to 7% more for properties that wow them at first glance.
A well-maintained driveway keeps the surface safe for you and your visitors to walk on and drive over. If small cracks donโt get repaired, they can quickly turn into tripping hazards, resulting in twisted ankles or even dangerous falls. The damaged surface can also pose a risk to your vehicleโs tires and wheel alignment if you hit the bumps too hard.
Repairing your driveway at the first sign of damage keeps minor cracks from turning into huge voids. Without repairs, the additional damage happens quickly as the water gets into the gap and freezes or erodes the underlying materials. Water also carries chemicals and road salts that can rapidly deteriorate the concrete structure.
A concrete driveway can last up to 50 years with proper care โ and that includes repairing cracks when you see them. If fissures expand past ยผโ wide, you could be looking at a full replacement, costing $4,800 to $9,000 on average. So, performing the repairs right away could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Before completing any repairs, assess the severity of the cracks in your driveway. The damage typically ranges from hairline to deep cracks and is not limited to only one area. Multiple crevices can appear at any given time. As existing concrete cracks meet, they tend to widen, which complicates the repair process.
To assess the driveway damage severity, take a look at the following categories and match them to what youโre seeing at your home.
A hairline crack appears as a fine line of up to an โ โ wide right on the surface of your driveway. When the fine lines first develop, theyโre superficial and primarily affect how the surface looks. They only appear one at a time, unlike crazing, which creates a large web of fine lines.
Since the damage is only surface level, you can apply an elastomeric concrete filler to keep water out. For the full repair, you must widen the gap with a grinder and fill it with a one-part polyurethane sealant.
DIY repairs will cost you $20 or less in materials for either method. A concrete repair professional charges up to $1 per linear foot for labor plus the cost of materials. You may also have to pay a service call fee, which typically ranges from $75 to $125. At that price, a 10-foot hairline crack may cost around $155 to have professionally repaired.
A minor crack is wider than a hairline crack but doesnโt exceed ยผโ wide. The minor damage goes deeper into the surface, although itโs uncommon for it to go all the way through. There might also be signs of widening at certain points as unstable pieces break away around the edges.
For a lasting repair, minor crevices need to be widened and filled with a one-part polyurethane sealant. You can complete this DIY home improvement project for around $30 if you already have the tools. If youโd like to hire a professional, they may charge $1 to $2 per linear foot plus material costs. A service call fee of $75 to $125 may apply. At that rate, youโll pay up to $175 to have a 10-foot minor crack fixed.
A major crack is anything wider than ยผโ. At this stage, the damage often extends through the entire depth of the concrete slab. You might also notice jagged areas where chunks broke off, leaving even wider gaps.
You can fill severely damaged areas with a one-part polyurethane sealant and a backer rod, but donโt expect it to last. Wide fissures point to an underlying problem that will cause even more concrete driveway cracks to appear.
If you want to complete the temporary repairs, expect to pay up to $50 for materials. Hiring a professional will cost you $3 or more per linear foot plus the cost of materials. Your repair expert may also apply a service call fee of $75 to $125. Professional repairs will run you $205 or more for a 10-foot major crack.
Always wear eye protection, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask when repairing concrete. Direct contact with the materials can cause chemical burns and other serious injuries. If you get concrete or its repair materials on your skin or in your eyes, rinse the area immediately and seek medical attention.
Although one-part polyurethane sealant is the gold standard for driveway repair, you have other options to consider, such as:
Concrete patch is a pre-mixed compound made from Portland cement, sand, and a polymer-based bonding agent. Itโs best for hairline cracks, but it can work for minor damage with a depth of 1โ or less.
To apply this patching compound, you have to:
The easy application process and 180-minute set time provide fast results. On the downside, the patch material dries smoothly and lightens to a pale gray shade, making it stand out against most concrete driveway surfaces.
Read our detailed concrete driveway repair cost guide to learn about pricing for professional driveway repair.
Vinyl concrete patch is a versatile repair material made from Portland cement, sand and an exterior grade vinyl resin. Youโll find it works best for minor voids between โ โ and ยผโ wide.
To apply this patch material:
Youโll need to avoid walking on the surface for the first 24 hours and keep your vehicles off the driveway for three days. The material dries to a light gray that comes close to matching many driveway surfaces.
Polyurethane foam is a type of resin that expands to fill the cracks. Many people use it for foundation crack repair, but it can also fill hairlines and minor and major gaps in driveways.
The foam comes in DIY-friendly kits and is easy to use. Complete this job by following these steps:
This repair only takes about an hour and takes about 48 hours to cure. The foam can seep out of the crevice as it expands and stains the surrounding area. With time, the material will wear away and become much less noticeable.
Epoxy injection crack repair fills and bonds the damaged area with epoxy resin. The epoxy flows into all the nooks and crannies to create a water-tight seal. Like polyurethane foam, this repair method is used most often for foundation repairs. Itโs only effective in filling hairline and minor damage.
If youโd like to use epoxy resin to fix your driveway, follow these steps:
Epoxy dries and cures super fast, so you must work quickly to keep the fluid flowing. If you cannot work fast enough, drill additional holes to access areas blocked by dried epoxy.
Sealing your driveway helps your repairs last and protects the rest of the driveway from damage. The sealant provides extra protection against water penetration, preventing cracking from freeze-thaw cycles.
To get the best results, you must use the correct sealant for your concrete type, local climate, and desired finish. Sealers also vary in their durability and ideal reapplication intervals. See the table below for help picking the best sealer for your driveway.
Sealer Type | Application | Durability | Ideal Climate | Finish | Dry Time | How Often to Reapply |
Acrylic | Stamped, stained, and other decorative concrete surfaces | Moderate | Minimal temperature variations year-round | Available in matte, semi-gloss, and gloss | 1 to 4 hours | 3 to 5 years |
Epoxy | All environments Protect against UV exposure | Excellent | Able to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions | Gloss; Colors available | 2 to 7 days | 5 to 10 years |
Penetrating | All types of concrete | Excellent | All environments; Protect against UV exposure | Matte | 1 to 3 days | 5 to 10 years |
Polyurethane | Plain concrete | Excellent | All environments: Protect against UV exposure | Matte to gloss | 2 to 7 days | 5 to 10 years |
Once you select a sealant product, youโre ready to apply it to the driveway surface. You should always follow the manufacturerโs application directions, but youโll undoubtedly move through these steps:
After allowing the sealant to cure, youโre able to use your driveway like usual. To help the sealer last, clean your driveway regularly and keep traffic to a minimum.
Always perform a test application before coating your entire driveway with sealer. Choose an inconspicuous area for the test and apply a small amount of sealer. Wait for the sealer to dry. Then, check that it adhered to the pavement and looks how you want it to. If not, youโll need to choose a different sealer type and repeat the test until youโre satisfied with the results.
Fixing your driveway is definitely worth the time and money it takes. Whether you hire a professional or tackle the job yourself, the repairs will protect your driveway from further damage, boost curb appeal, and improve its safety. Keeping cracks at bay also extends the life of your driveway, so you can avoid having to pay for its replacement sooner than expected.
Applying one-part polyurethane sealant using a caulk gun is the best way to fix your cracked concrete. This material has enough flex to ensure the repair will last and often blends right into the driveway after several weeks.
You can repair cracks in your concrete patio with one-part polyurethane sealant, concrete patch, polyurethane foam, or epoxy injection. You may do the repairs yourself or hire an experienced contractor to fix it for you.
Use a special saw or jackhammer to remove old concrete. Then, replace the surface by creating forms, preparing and pouring the new mix, and helping it cure. Many people hire a professional for these jobs.
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