
How to Repair Concrete Holes
- Step 1) Use a patching kit Use a concrete patching kit like Sika Fast-Fix Power Patch. It comes with a 2 compound...
- Step 2) Clean the Surface Clean the concrete hole removing any loose debris so that the concrete can bond properly to...
- Step 3) Wet the Surface Saturate the surface of the concrete hole including the top with water until the...
How do you repair small holes in concrete?
- Walk around the entire perimeter of the floor and identify any nails that are still in the floor.
- Scrub each hole in the floor thoroughly using a wire brush to smooth out the top of each hole and to remove any loosened edges.
- Vacuum the entire room to remove all concrete dust and debris.
How to repair 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 and smooth it out. Use care when mixing as the product can dry out quickly.
What is the average cost to repair a driveway?
To confirm the integrity of a concrete driveway, hire a professional to address significant surface issues. The average cost to fix a concrete driveway ranges between $500-$1,100, with the average homeowner spending $800 to resurface a 250 square foot area, including labor and materials.
How do you patch a hole in concrete?
- Drain the tank of water to below the level of the hole to make patching the hole easier.
- Select a toggle bolt that is slightly larger than the hole in the water tank.
- Select a drill bit this is slightly larger than the bolt.
- Drill out the hole in the tank so it is uniformly round and smooth on the edges.

How do I fill small holes in my concrete driveway?
To repair holes and cracks in your concrete driveway, use a hammer and chisel to chisel out a section of the hole or crack, making it wider at the top than the bottom. Next, brush in some latex bonding glue, then fill in the area with a patching compound.
What can I use to patch small holes in concrete?
Most holes can be fixed with a quality mortar mix, although you should use one with a crushed stone aggregate to fill holes over 1 in (2.5 cm) deep. Treat holes as soon as you find them so you can prevent water and rodents from further damaging the concrete and getting into your home.
Can pitted concrete driveway be repaired?
Those cracks and pits allow moisture to seep into the concrete. Over time, the driveway will deteriorate beyond just cracking and pitting, and need to be replaced entirely. Resurfacing the driveway now is the best plan of action. It's a job you can do yourself, and for a lot less than what a new driveway costs.
How do you fill pockmarks in concrete?
4:165:52Concrete Floor Pitting Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we'll just use that margin trowel and just just start applying some of the mortar it doesn't needMoreSo we'll just use that margin trowel and just just start applying some of the mortar it doesn't need to be perfect at this point it really is about getting it to fill with the pitting.
Can holes in concrete be repaired?
Using a putty knife, spread a thin layer of concrete patching material into the hole. Tip: To create an even surface, always smooth out (feather) the patching material 1"-2" beyond the repaired area. Using a wet sponge, blend the repaired area into the existing surface. Allow the area to dry.
How do you fill holes with quikrete?
Project Instructions Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. Then compact and level the gravel using a post or 2x4. Set the post into the hole and attach 2x4 braces to adjacent sides of the post. Use a level to position the post perfectly vertical.
Why is my concrete driveway pitting?
Too much water can wash away the soil supporting your concrete. Too little and it can cause the soil to shrink. And when water freezes and thaws over and over and over and over again, it can cause the surface of your concrete driveway to crack, pit, and crumble. Think of your driveway as a giant sponge.
What does concrete pitting look like?
Concrete Pitting Problem Signs Concrete pitting often looks like a very thin layer of the concrete's surface was scraped and torn off. The edges of the craters are almost always jagged, though smooth edges can be found on concrete that is constantly used or walked on (driveways, basement floors).
What causes small holes in concrete driveway?
Problem:Small pop outs or holes that occur on concrete slabs are often the result of lignite or shale carbons that were in the sand when the concrete was mixed. The lignite or shale particles are lightweight and float near the surface of the slab when the concrete is installed and troweled.
Can you epoxy over pitted concrete?
For larger areas of pitting and spalling, we recommend using a 100% epoxy concrete patch with a sand aggregate. The silica sand is mixed in with the epoxy to act as a filler.
How do you keep bugs from getting holes in concrete?
During placement, minimize the vertical distance between the concrete discharge point and the form to minimize the free-fall distance. Having too much free-fall distance during concrete placement can increase the amount of air to be entrapped in the concrete.
Can I use mortar to fill a hole?
Mortar is a necessary filling component to adhere some home-building components together, such as bricks; but it can also be used to patch holes and cracks in basements and foundations, hold a patio together or secure fence posts and mailboxes.
How do you fill holes in concrete steps?
Begin by dampening the area with water. Repair superficial damage by applying a layer of concrete patch with a mason's trowel. For structural damage, put the concrete mix over the holes or damaged areas with a square head shovel. Fill the holes and smooth the surface with a trowel.
What do you use to fill holes in concrete?
Use a hammer and a cold chisel to level the bottom of the hole and undercut its sides slightly so the patch can’t pop loose.
What causes holes in new concrete?
Problem:Small pop outs or holes that occur on concrete slabs are often the result of lignite or shale carbons that were in the sand when the concrete was mixed. When water penetrates and freezes, these particles expand more than water and pushes the top off of the concrete creating a small hole.
Can you pour new concrete over old concrete?
In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick .
What is the best concrete repair product?
Quikrete 10 lb. Vinyl Concrete Patcher is ideal for making smooth repairs to crack or chipped concrete floors, sidewalks or steps. It has strong adhesive properties allowing it to be applied down to a featheredge.
Does salt deteriorate concrete?
The answer is yes, salt does indirectly damage your concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks. Bumps and potholes don’t just appear due to regular wear and tear – salt damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discolored, cracked and crumbling concrete.
What does spalling concrete look like?
Spalling concrete can look like round or oval depressions along surfaces or joints. Spalling tends to be most common in cold climates when de-icing chemicals are applied or when seasonal freeze-thaw cycles damage the concrete.
What can I use to clean my concrete driveway?
Sweep the concrete surface, then spray the stained area with a garden hose to rinse away dirt. In a large plastic bucket, mix ½ cup of liquid dish detergent into 3 gallons of hot water. (Or, for the best results on tannin stains, use a powdered laundry detergent that’s advertised as being good at removing food stains.)
Why does concrete grow holes?
The surface of the concrete has now been compromised and the hole will continue to grow from the effects of freeze/thaw, usage, stress, etc. The surface of the concrete is like our skin - it prevents damage to the interior of the concrete.
How to stop water from entering concrete?
Solution: The best solution is to reduce water penetration by sealing the concrete with a chemically-reactive, penetrating sealer which will bond the edges of the hole and seal the pores.. Filling the holes or pop outs will not stop the problem. Recommended sealer information - SealGreen Concrete Sealer with Salt Defense Technology Concentrate
Why does concrete not bond to other concrete?
This solution does not work for a couple of reasons: 1) concrete does not bond well to other concrete so the repairs will pop out again after a very short time; and 2) the color of the repairs will not match the original slab and the concrete could end up looking like it has chicken pox.
How long does it take for a concrete driveway to pit?
A Basic Guide. Concrete driveway pitting is a frustrating issue for many homeowners. Some driveways begin to pit after a few years, while some show signs of pitting after only a few months. Pitting, also known as spalling, is when small holes, or “pits,” show up on a driveway’s surface and make it look uneven and worn.
Why does my driveway puddle?
4 Common Causes of Driveway Pitting. Climate exposure. In cold and harsh climates, a driveway’s exposure to snow, rain and/ or sleet during the winter and spring months can spell doom for the top layer of the concrete. If, for example, snow melts on the top of the driveway after a blizzard, the concrete will absorb the liquid that results, ...
What happens if you don't cure concrete?
Not curing properly (or skipping this step altogether) sets your driveway up for spalling problems later on -- as well as serious cracking, crumbling or other structural issues.
How long does it take for epoxy to set before sealing concrete?
Level off any epoxy that has risen from the holes so that it’s flush with the concrete surface. Leave to set for at least 24 hours before applying a concrete sealant to protect the new concrete from wear and tear.
Why does concrete weaken after a blizzard?
If, for example, snow melts on the top of the driveway after a blizzard, the concrete will absorb the liquid that results, and weaken over time because of that absorbed water freezing and thawing over and over again. This freeze-thaw cycle causes small pits to form on the driveway’s surface. Bad concrete mixing.
How long does it take for concrete to set before sealing?
Leave to set for at least 24 hours before applying a concrete sealant to protect the new concrete from wear and tear. For larger pits, start by chiseling out a little concrete so that the bottoms of the holes are a bit wider than the tops. (This will help your repair to “stick” better.) Clean with a pressure washer.
Can you fix a pitted concrete?
Concrete pitting repair is fairly simple to fix yourself. Do it right to make sure that your new concrete lasts as long as possible and remains free of future pitting or spalling issues. Here is a brief how-to.
What is the best way to smooth out concrete?
Use a trowel to smooth out the concrete and create and even surface.
How long to mix Sika Fast Fix?
Mix Sika Fast-Fix Power Patch back & forth for 30 second until the mixture appears as an even consistency.
Can cracks in concrete affect curb appeal?
Cracks in your concrete driveway, patio, or walkway can negatively affect the curb appeal of your home. I always say to keep on top of home maintenance and repair jobs before they become costly fixes.
How to get debris out of a hole?
Removing the debris from a large hole is often a little challenging. In most cases, you can use a brush or vacuum to get most of the debris. If that isn’t an option, fill the hole with water. Spray it down with a hose or pour water into it until it overflows, flushing out the debris.
How long does it take to patch a hole in a wall?
Wait for any standing water to completely evaporate before attempting to patch the hole. This may take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the weather and how much water is left.
How long to mix peanut butter with mortar?
Mix the mortar for 3 to 5 minutes until it forms a thick putty. Stir the mortar around in the bucket with a hoe or another tool. You can also use a paddle attachment, which is a metal mixing rod that plugs into the end of a power drill. Continue mixing the mortar while checking its consistency. It is ready for use once it reaches the consistency of a thick, spreadable peanut butter.
What to do if you don't apply bonding agent?
If you don’t apply the bonding agent now, lightly dampen the concrete with a moist sponge. Make sure there isn’t any standing water in the hole.
What to use to protect concrete from dust?
Since concrete can produce a lot of dust, consider protecting nearby areas with a plastic tarp.
How to get rid of dust from concrete?
If you’re working indoors, ventilate the area as much as possible to deal with the dust. Open nearby doors and windows. Turn on any available ventilation fans and vacuum up dust when you’re done. Since concrete can produce a lot of dust, consider protecting nearby areas with a plastic tarp.
What to wear when cleaning concrete?
Wear a dust mask and safety glasses before cleaning the concrete. [1]
Why does cement have bug holes?
But too much moisture weakens the mixture and traps bubbles that work their way to the surface, causing bugholes. Water damage can also occur when the surface is finished off before proper "bleeding" time is given; this is necessary drying time that allows air and water to surface before the top is smoothed over.
Why is air entrapped in concrete?
While some air is necessary to avoid damage when the concrete experiences freezing and thawing temperatures, too much causes blisters or bubbles on the surface that then erupt into holes.
What is concrete paint?
Home Painting. By Lori Lapierre. Concrete is a mixture of sand, crushed stone or gravel, and a paste consisting of water and portland cement. It becomes stronger and harder to damage as it gets older, which makes it desirable for sidewalks and driveways. It can be tricky to pour successfully, so it's important to avoid several issues ...
Can oily cement cause holes?
These chemical oily substances can cause problems in new cement if they are mixed into the cement, or used in improper amounts for the job. And just like air and water, they can cause holes to appear where they come into contact with the new cement.
Does concrete need to be bleed before smoothing?
If a thick slab of concrete is poured, such as for a driveway, it will require more "bleed time" before it is finished than for thinner slabs. If the subgrade -- the surface below the poured concrete -- is much cooler than the top surface, additional time should also be given for bleeding before smoothing occurs. av-override.
