Paving For Fun

How To Fill Concrete Wall Cracks

Concrete walls are probably going to crack over time. This is particularly problematic if it is a weight-bearing wall. However, most small concrete cracks don't even have any effect on the structural integrity of your wall. However, it is still a good idea to patch and repair these cracks to prevent them from growing bigger, and to hide ugly blemishes. This article explains the best tools for repairing small cracks in concrete walls.

Use Crack Filler, Not Concrete Mix

The key to crack repair is to use the right materials. If you have the right type of concrete crack filler, the job is very simple. However, if you try to use normal concrete mix, or ready mix concrete, you will probably have problems. It is important to use a designated crack filling product because these are going to have glue and adhesive mixed into the solution. This is very important because the glue bonds the crack filler to the old concrete. Ready mix concrete just isn't sticky enough to actually bond with the old concrete. It is likely that your fill will fall out of the crack. Concrete crack filler is also very easy to use because it comes premixed. It even comes and squeezable tubes, making it ideal for small cracks. Obviously, crack filler is not good for large holes or voids in your concrete. It is not going to match the exact texture and color of your existing concrete. Nonetheless, it works better then ready mix concrete. Also, it is better to have your cracks filled then to leave them untreated.

Filling Cracks

Most crack repairs can be done very easily with just a couple of simple tools. Most importantly, besides the crack filler, you need a putty knife with a flexible late. Why did you close you can usually squeeze the majority of the crack filler into the crack, and then just use the putty knife to scrape away the excess. You don't want to spread the crack filler on to the actual outer surface of the wall. That is, you just want it to fill the crack. Once the crack is filled in, and the filler is dry, you can go over it with stain or glaze to match the existing finish on your concrete and make it blend in better.

No matter how you finish your crack fill, the job is very simple. It is a great preventative project for keeping your concrete cracks from wearing down along the edges. For more information about correcting pavement, contact a business such as New England Paving.