I have a concrete patio that has spots about the size of a quarter which crack and pop out whenever it gets covered in snow or ice. What’s causing this and can it be repaired?

– Tommy

Hi Tommy,

It’s not so much the concrete that’s causing a problem with your patio as what’s inside it. The company that mixed the concrete for the patio probably used an aggregate that was fairly porous – such as ironstone, coal, shale, or limestone – which absorbs and holds moisture.

When the concrete freezes, the water inside the aggregate expands and pops out through the surface as you have observed. This can happen in concrete driveways, sidewalks, and porch slabs as well.

The good news is that pop outs in concrete are a cosmetic defect that doesn’t affect the structural integrity of the slab. You can patch the small holes by cleaning out the loose material and filling each one with a concrete patching material.

If you have an over abundance of pop outs in your concrete slab, you need to consider resurfacing the patio. I would take a look at some of the products from Quikrete. They’ve been tackling these issues for a while and have some good solutions for both resurfacing and patching concrete.

Good luck with your project,


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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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