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.
Concrete Repair Options for a Cracked Driveway
Slabjacking, or mudjacking, involves drilling small holes in the concrete and injecting a cement slurry mixture. This works to fill the soil voids underneath – the reason for the cracks – and lift the slab back up into proper position.
Small cracks (less than 1/4 inch in width and depth) can be repaired using concrete or asphalt filler. Medium cracks (1/4 to 1/2 inch) should be repaired with patching compound or pre-mixed mortar. Large cracks (more than 1/2 inch) need to be repaired with pre-mixed concrete or asphalt (the cold patch variety).
Polyurethane-based products, including Sakrete Non-Sag Sealant and Sakrete Self-Leveling Sealant offer better performance with a superior bond and flexibility for cracks up to ½” deep and wide. Polyurethane-based products require acetone or similar chemicals for cleaning but deliver superior durability and longevity.
There are several methods of concrete crack repair such as epoxy injection, routing and sealing, grouting, stitching, drilling and plugging, gravity filling of cracks in concrete. Details of these methods for the selection of suitable methods for different types of cracks in concrete are discussed.
Narrow cracks can be filled with a masonry concrete crack filler that comes in a cartridge designed to be used in a caulking gun. Alternatively, you can create a concrete patch with a vinyl concrete patching compound applied and smoothed with a putty knife.
According to HomeAdvisor, a driveway repair professional will charge as little as $300 to fix minor concrete driveway cracks, but most homeowners can do the job on their own with a rubber or synthetic crack filler. This costs about $0.10 to $0.15 per linear foot—but watch out if cracks are larger than 1/8 of an inch.
While you may see small driveway cracks as nothing important, they can be the first sign that you may have foundation issues.
For use on Driveways, Parking Lots, Streets, Highways, and Airport Runways. Flex-A-Fill® is a hot-applied polymer modified asphalt sealant used to seal cracks in asphalt concrete or Portland cement concrete pavements.
For Small (¼-inch wide) Cracks: For smaller cracks use a concrete filler or masonry crack elastomeric filler with a caulking gun. You can also add a layer of primer or a concrete bonding adhesive on the crack to create a bond between the driveway surface and the patching material.
If the concrete has deteriorated so much that the repair will only fix part of the problem, a full replacement is necessary, no question. Where the decision becomes a little more grey is when a repair will solve the issues of your cracked, flaking or worn down concrete but the problems will surface again quickly.
Cracks up to ¼ inch in width can be filled with sealant.
Cracks of this nature may never get any larger, but water can seep into them, freeze, and expand, causing the cracks to widen, so it's a good idea to seal them with the flexible Advanced Polymer Concrete Crack Sealant from Quikrete.
What is the maximum allowable crack width in concrete foundations? The maximum allowable crack width on a foundation is nearly 3.2 mm. Damping and watertight agents can bridge a crack width of 3.2 mm.
Crack sealing is a more costly procedure for the pavement owner but provides substantial value due to its long life expectancy. While crack filling may only last one or two seasons depending on the cracks activity, crack sealing can last up to 8 years or more and is considered a permanent treatment.
The sooner you take action to repair cracks in your driveway, the better. Cracks left unattended for long periods of time can expand when water finds its way into them and freezes, potentially widening the cracks.
Fill the crack with urethane caulk, similar to what you would use for driveway caulk. It works perfectly as a concrete expansion joint sealant. Snip the opening of the tube at a 30-degree angle, making the opening the same size as your gap.
1. Routing and sealing. For dormant, non-structural cracks, routing, and sealing is the most common repair technique. While this technique is optimal for flat horizontal cracks, you can use it for vertical cracks with non-sag sealants or fillers.
Over time and exposure to the elements exterior concrete can develop cracks due to temperature changes, ground movement, improperly placed joints and excessive loads. Once a crack develops it is important to seal the crack from water to prevent further deterioration.
Structural concrete cracks have the potential to negatively impact the durability and strength of a concrete structure. These cracks are general recognized as serious if they are progressively widening, retaining dirt, allowing penetration of moisture, or developing in highly visible locations.