We just poured a new patio and right away have a crack! Can this be repaired? -Diana

Hi Diana,

I know a crack in your new patio must be frustrating; but, according to an old saying among builders, there are two guarantees when working with concrete: (1) It will get hard, and (2) it will crack.

Since the crack occurred soon after the slab was poured, it’s probably a result of either:

  • Shrinkage during the drying process.
  • Thermal contraction due to changes in temperature.
  • Settling of the ground under the slab.

While there are several things that can be done to help reduce the threat of cracks before pouring – such as cutting control joints in the slab, adding steel to the form, or compacting the ground – repairing a crack after the slab has set often just draws attention to the fault. The reason is that the patch rarely exactly matches the color or texture of the existing concrete, so it sticks out like a sore thumb.

That being said, I recently saw some new concrete filler products from Quikrete that come in a tube similar to caulking, and the color is almost a dead-on match. It’s not perfect, but it looks darn close. The material is also a polyurethane base, so if the concrete continues to move, the patch won’t fail.

You could also look into pouring a second cap layer of concrete over the existing slab, but I think that would be overkill. A third option would be to apply a patching compound, then finish the entire patio with concrete paint or stain.

Good luck with your project,

Danny

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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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