how to repair badly cracked concrete driveway

• If you have a lot of cracks, you may prefer to use dry concrete mix or a concrete patching compound instead. ...
• Put the mix (or compound) in a large bucket and add water as directed on the label. A mixer paddle attached to a heavy duty, low-RPM drill makes mixing easier.
• Pour the wet mix into the cracks and use the pointed end of a trowel to press it in until it's level with the rest of the driveway. ...
• Let the new concrete repair dry as indicated on the label before you drive or walk on it.

What are my options for repairing a concrete driveway?

Repairing a couple of cracks is much more affordable than pouring a new driveway, and a cracked bulk of concrete in front of your home can be a real eyesore. Are you planning to sell your home ...

How do you keep a concrete driveway from cracking?

• Use kneepads to cushion your knees if you have to kneel to make a lot of repairs.
• To use the driveway as soon as possible, choose a rapid or fast-set crack filler.
• Some concrete patching compounds will harden in a few hours, but it make take days or a week for other kinds to cure and dry. ...

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Should I resurface, repair, or replace my concrete driveway?

When it comes to fixing a driveway, your two options are generally either resurfacing it or replacing it entirely. However, there is a third option: patching it with a little extra concrete where necessary. If there’s only one hole or a surface-level crack, patching the concrete could be your best bet.

How to fill cracks in a concrete driveway?

The next step is to start filling cracks. Put some sand into any cracks that are more than about a half-inch deep. On concrete driveways, apply some patch compound to each crack with your trowel ...

How do you fix large uneven cracks in concrete driveway?

1:192:13Fixing settling concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere are companies in the Toledo area that employ a method called lift slab where they drill holesMoreThere are companies in the Toledo area that employ a method called lift slab where they drill holes through the concrete inject a liquid fill that hardens under the concrete.

How do I fix a deep crack in my driveway?

1:504:53How to Fix a Crack in a Driveway - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe self levelling sealant sinks into the crack. So you may need to go back and add another layer orMoreThe self levelling sealant sinks into the crack. So you may need to go back and add another layer or two of caulking. Continue this process until the sealant fills in the fracture.

How do you permanently fix cracks in concrete?

0:142:21How to Repair, Seal and Waterproof Concrete Cracks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing a chisel and hammer wind the crack to a minimum of one quarter inch. And break away anyMoreUsing a chisel and hammer wind the crack to a minimum of one quarter inch. And break away any deteriorating concrete the edges of the crack should be vertical or beveled in an inverted V.

Can you repair old cracked concrete?

Wide cracks in concrete are best patched and sealed with a concrete patching compound. Smaller cracks, less than 1/4 inch wide, can be repaired with a concrete caulk or liquid filler. Patching compounds typically are mixed with water and applied with a trowel.

What do you fill driveway cracks with?

1:194:48How to Fill Driveway Cracks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow if you have a crack that's deeper than the inch you can put a little sand in this and bring itMoreNow if you have a crack that's deeper than the inch you can put a little sand in this and bring it up to within an inch or a half an inch of the surface.

Can driveway cracks be repaired?

As long as the rest of your driveway is sound (no heaving, sinking, or crumbling), you can replace those tiny cracks with a smooth concrete surface by applying a high-quality resurfacing product, such as Quikrete's Concrete Resurfacer.

Can you pour concrete over concrete?

You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.

Does Flex Seal work on concrete cracks?

Flex Seal can be used on almost every surface: wood, metal, tile, concrete, masonry, fabric, glass, plastic, aluminum, porcelain, drywall, rubber, cement, and vinyl. Plus, it won't sag or drip in the summer heat, and it won't crack or peel in the winter cold. It even prevents corrosion.

How do you fill large gaps in concrete?

1:547:21How To Fill A Gap Between Garage Floor And Concrete DrivewayYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome. General purpose sand.MoreSome. General purpose sand.

Is hydraulic cement good for driveway cracks?

They're also a good choice for repairing larger cracks. Hydraulic cement is a dry mix (sometimes available as a premix) that users can apply to cracks in areas frequently exposed to water, such as pools, foundations, cisterns, and outdoor fountains.

Does a cracked driveway mean foundation problems?

Driveway Cracks: Yes, driveway cracks can indicate you have foundation problems. In fact, it is the first on the list. A driveway is typically poured so that the water will flow away from the foundation.

Can you use polymeric sand to fill driveway cracks?

Sweep the polymeric joint sand into the cracks between the pavers as you would with other materials. It is recommended that you do this three times to ensure that all of the joints are properly topped off. This will increase weed, insect and water protection.

Why do you caulk cracks in concrete?

Once the slabs are leveled with each other , then the cracks or expansion joints are filled with a flexible caulk to keep water from flowing under the slab. This is the primary purpose of concrete driveway crack repair. If water is flowing under your driveway, it is only a matter of time before the slabs will begin to sink. This is precisely why we always recommend caulking the cracks and joints after we level your concrete slabs.

How to settle sand in concrete?

Tapping the concrete with a 2x4 can help settle the sand into all the voids. Like the backer rod, leave the sand at least 1/2" below the surface of the concrete. Once the backer rod is installed, or the crack is small enough to not need it, it's time to lay down your caulk.

How to smooth out caulk?

Spray Bottle - Using a spray bottle filled with soapy water can help smooth out the caulk. Especially important if you use non-sag caulk.

Can you caulk a concrete driveway yourself?

In the end, you may want to hire an experienced professional (discussed more below) but if you're the handy, do-it-yourself type then this might be a project you can tackle as a weekend project.

Do you caulk cracks in concrete after leveling?

If water is flowing under your driveway, it is only a matter of time before the slabs will begin to sink. This is precisely why we always recommend caulking the cracks and joints after we level your concrete slabs.

Can a concrete driveway crack be repaired?

Concrete Driveway Crack Repair Basics. Concrete driveway crack repair is not all that different than any other concrete crack repair, except for one big difference; the size of the cracks. Because driveway slabs are normally much bigger than sidewalks and other concrete areas, the cracks can be longer, and oftentimes wider.

Do you caulk expansion joints in concrete?

Even expansion joints in your concrete driveway should be caulked. They can be the biggest culprit of water under your slabs. AFTER —. Notice how the caulking is slightly lower than the concrete slab around it. This protects the caulk from wear and tear of people walking and driving over it.

Why does my concrete crack?

These can be caused by everything from tree roots and movement of the soil to freezing and thawing cycles in the winter. Rather than breaking up the slab and pouring a new one, you might want to consider repairing it using Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer.

Can you fill holes in concrete?

I’d fill larger holes with a standard concrete mix, troweling it level with the surface. Once it’s set, you could go over the entire area with resurfacer if you wanted it to all have the same texture and color.

Can you mix resurfacer before applying concrete?

After allowing the material to dry overnight, a much thinner batch of resurfacer is mixed up. Before applying it, wet the concrete down to prevent it from drying out too quickly.

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Concrete Driveway?

A concrete driveway that is well cared for should last for around 25-30 years. These driveways last longer than their asphalt counterparts, but several variables impact their lifespan.

How to Maintain Your Driveway

If you want a long-lasting driveway, maintenance is key. To keep your driveway in the best condition, catching issues early on prevents bigger problems from occurring.

What Causes Driveway Cracks?

Driveway cracks occur for many reasons. Many of these causes have the potential to lead to big problems. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid serious damage.

How to Repair a Cracked Driveway

If you’ve noticed cracks in your driveway but aren’t sure how to repair them, there are several methods to consider. The best method for your situation depends on several factors, such as the type of cracks, source of the problem, and level of damage.

DIY Repair vs. Professional Help

So you’ve identified cracks in your concrete driveway, but what now? While some cracks are easy to repair on your own, like vertical cracks, hairline cracks, and diagonal cracks, other problems are better left to the professionals. Call a professional if you discover:

Avoid Costly Concrete Problems, Hire a Professional

If the cracks in your driveway are becoming more than a minor issue that you can’t fix with DIY poly injecting, it may be time to seek help from a professional. Small problems can grow into something costly if left alone for too long.

How long does it take for a concrete driveway to cure?

No waiting up to 30 days for a new concrete driveway to cure and harden. A beautiful, new driveway for far less cost than demolition and replacement. Concrete Craft can have your ugly driveway repaired, restored, or resurfaced in a matter of days so you can get on with the more important things in life. And, we won’t damage your yard ...

What to do with a driveway that keeps you up?

If what to do with your driveway is keeping you up nights, don’t waste any more time worrying. One call to Concrete Craft will have the experts who know concrete at your service! They can evaluate your driveway and talk you through the best options for your desired result, whether to repair, restore, or create a fabulous faux stone design with a decorative concrete overlay in stained, stamped or hand-carved concrete.

What is decorative concrete overlay?

If your driveway needs a whole new look, a decorative concrete overlay will create a new finish that covers minor surface damage like cracks, imperfections and discoloration. The overlay creates a durable finish and long-lasting bond with the original concrete that will not chip, crack or peel. Concrete overlays can be stained, stamped, and hand-carved in faux finishes like flagstone, cobblestone, Ashlar slate, and Roman slate for the exquisite look of real stone.

What is concrete overlay?

Concrete overlays can be stained, stamped, and hand-carved in faux finishes like flagstone, cobblestone, Ashlar slate, and Roman slate for the exquisite look of real stone. Real stone molds and hand-applied stain colors result in finishes that look natural and authentic.

How to contact Concrete Craft?

As a local business owner in your community, we care about your complete satisfaction. Call 866-813-3699 today or go online to www.concretecraft.com to find the Concrete Craft location nearest you and request a FREE consultation. You can trust Concrete Craft to deliver on the promise of the driveway of your dreams.

What is stained concrete?

Stained concrete transforms with vibrant color, including one-color or multiple colors, and borders or stenciled designs.

Can concrete craft repair a cracked driveway?

If your driveway has finally become impossible to tolerate, Concrete Craft® has good news for you! Whether it’s cracked, chipped, worn down to the aggregate, or stained from years of vehicles and harsh weather, we have decorative concrete options to repair and restore your concrete driveway that will spare you and your wallet the pain and inconvenience of demolition and replacement.

How do I clean a concrete slab?

STEP 1. Remove all the loose, crumbling, cracked, and broken pieces of concrete first. You can do this by lightly grinding like we do or by using a good pressure washer, 3500 psi or more. If you grind like we do, lightly pressure wash the concrete afterwards to remove all the dust & debris leftover by grinding. STEP 2.

What is a resurfacer used for?

They're mostly used to resurface concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, porches, and pool decks. If you're choosing, I'd go with what's most local to you. They all have a quick turnaround time.

Can you resurface concrete without having to demo?

Resurfacing your badly damaged concrete is a good way to renew your concrete without having to demo and replace it with new concrete.

Do concrete driveways have joints?

Most concrete driveways have sawed or hand tooled joints. Use these as your "sections" and do one at a time.

Is Portland cement the same as sand?

Well, they're all made basically the same. They all have a special blend of Portland cement, sand, polymer modifiers and other additives that are designed to be very flowable, shrinkage compensating, high bonding strength, and go down very thin.

can you resurface a concrete driveway this way?

Yes, you can resurface a concrete driveway, porch, patio, and pool deck this same way.