Find the Best Concrete Repair Contractors Near You

Exterior concrete can develop cracks and surface scaling over time as it is exposed to the elements. That's why you need concrete restoration to make durable repairs to the damaged area. By doing this, you'll be extending the life of the concrete.

To achieve a successful concrete crack repair, the first step is to ensure proper surface preparation. Having a solid, clean surface is crucial so that the repair material can permanently bond to the damaged surface. Therefore, it's important to remove any unsound or flaking concrete from the area by using a hammer or chisel. After the unsound concrete is removed, the surface should then be cleaned of any loose material, oil, grease, and dirt before applying repair material. If you want to ensure that the repair area is cleaned, you should use a concrete cleaner.

After thoroughly cleaning the area, the next step is to dampen the area with enough water to saturate the surface. Then you can use repair material such as a vinyl concrete patcher and build it up in layers using a margin trowel. Make sure that the first layer is pressed into the repair area using firm trowel pressure. Next is to smooth the surface of the patch so that it is level with the surrounding concrete. Remember not to add water to the surface of the patch because it can cause surface colour inconsistencies and a weakened surface. Lastly, the area should be protected from foot traffic for at least 24 hours, and if it's for vehicle traffic, it should be for three days.

When it comes to the best concrete repairs, it all depends on the size of the cracks. For instance, wide cracks in concrete are best patched and repaired with a concrete patching compound. On the other hand, small cracks that are less than one-fourth inch wide can be repaired with a liquid filler or concrete caulk.

To understand the difference between them, consider the following:

• For wide concrete cracks, the best way to repair them is to undercut the sides of the crack for an inverted "V" shape. By doing this, it will help the repair material to "key" into the crack. Thus, it will create a mechanical bond aside from the chemical bond between the concrete and the repair material.
• For narrow or small concrete cracks, they can be filled with a masonry crack elastomeric filler. You can use a caulking gun to apply it. Another thing to consider is a vinyl concrete patching compound which is often used for hairline cracks.

If you see that your concrete is showing signs of wear and tear, now is the time to make the repairs but figuring out how much repairs will cost can be a challenge. The best thing to do in this situation is to ask for help from reputable concrete repair contractors.

Usually, when it comes to fixing a patio, residential walkway, or sidewalk, the concrete repair cost is between $665 to $2,075. The average is around $1,366. For simple repairs, it can cost at least $1 per square foot, and concrete will usually cost about $8.50 per square foot.

If you're looking for foundation repair costs for bigger jobs, read our foundation repair cost guide.

When you see cracks in your concrete floor, the first thing you would think of is that there might be something wrong. However, that is not always the case. That's why you need to make sure that you know the common types of cracks and when you'll need concrete crack repairs.

• Plastic shrinkage concrete cracks - This happens when the concrete is still in its plastic state and is full of water. When the water leaves the slab, there will be huge voids between the solid particles left behind. Thus, it will make the concrete weaker, and it will be more prone to cracking.
• Expansion concrete cracks - This happens when concrete expands. Heat causes the concrete to expand, and when it is not capable of flexing, the expanding force can be enough to cause concrete cracks.
• Heaving concrete cracks - This happens when the ground freezes and thaws, which causes concrete cracking. This is because when it freezes, it can sometimes lift many inches before it thaws. So, if the slab cannot move with the ground, it will cause it to crack.

In any case, it's always best to check with an expert whether it's worth worrying about repairing a crack in your concrete.