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As in all household projects, good prep work is essential for good results, so check out this Quikrete video on how to apply Concrete Resurfacer. The polymers in this masonry product form a strong bond with the existing sidewalk, so your fix, though quick, will be long-lasting. Applied to a clean sidewalk and then squeegeed level, Quikrete’s Concrete Resurfacer can make your entire sidewalk look brand-new for a fraction of the effort. For a great weekend fix, you can cover up those cracks and restore your home’s curb appeal with a high-quality concrete resurfacing product. Superficial hairline cracks that do not increase in size over a couple of years will not compromise the integrity of a sidewalk, but they’re still eyesores. At the very least, monitor the cracks, and take steps to replace the walkway if they get bigger. If this is the case, you should consider replacing all, or most, of the sidewalk. On the other hand, extensive hairline cracks that run like spiderwebs throughout large areas of a sidewalk could be signs that there was something wrong with the original concrete mix. In fact, it’s much easier to address these small imperfections with a quick repair rather than rip out a slab and start fresh. Most of the time, control joints work exactly as planned, and natural cracking along these predetermined seams goes unnoticed. In some cases, however, cracking doesn’t follow the joints.Īs mentioned above, narrow cracks here and there aren’t a problem. These control joints serve as weak points in the concrete, which will then be more likely to crack along them rather than in the center of a slab, where cracks would detract from the look of the entire sidewalk. Contractors and savvy do-it-yourselfers guide where the cracks will appear by cutting control joints into freshly poured sidewalks at spots where the concrete is most likely to split. No two ways about it: Concrete is going to crack. See it in action-and get pro tips on the correct way to use it- in this video. Simply mix, trowel, and smooth Vinyl Patcher over the damaged areas to create a new level surface and clean edges. You can fix small sections like these, as well as spalling that’s less than ¼-inch deep and in just a few spots, using a concrete patch product, such as Quikrete’s Vinyl Concrete Patcher. One or two small crumbled areas along the edges, however, possibly caused by heavy vehicles rolling over the sidewalk, could be prime candidates for repair. That said, a half-inch or more of crumbling along the interior joints or edges of the sidewalk could indicate weak concrete, in which case you may benefit more from replacing rather than repairing the sidewalk. You’ll save money by repairing the damage, when possible, rather than replacing the entire sidewalk, or even a single section. For the best results, check out this Quikrete video to learn how to prep cracks before filling them and how best to apply the flexible sealant. When dry, the sealant has a texture and color similar to natural concrete.Ĭrumbling edges and spalling (the peeling off of the concrete surface) are two other types of damage that detract from a sidewalk’s appearance but don’t necessarily require replacement. Fortunately, that process is a cinch with a good flexible sealant like Polyurethane Concrete Crack Sealant. On the other hand, smaller cracks less than ¼-inch wide can be handled without the hassle of replacing a chunk of sidewalk-though you should still take measures to repair them. Such cracks should be filled with a flexible sealant to prevent water from running through and saturating the soil below, leading to future soil-movement problems. If the subbase is not structurally sound, wide cracks can be difficult to repair and only a temporary solution. If the sidewalk is a shared-use sidewalk, you may be required to replace at least the section that contains the large crack (or cracks), but you may wish to replace the section even if the crack is on a personal sidewalk.
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Cracks wider than ½ inch indicate a major problem with the stability of the sidewalk slab and fall firmly in the first camp. Some kinds of damage to concrete can signal a sidewalk’s demise, while others are merely eyesores. If cracks are large and deep, or joints or edges have crumbled…