Concrete Crack Repair In Three Simple Steps
Concrete cracks are very common in household foundations and establishments. People tend to ignore them as they think they are harmless. However, these “harmless” cracks can cause myriads of problems such as moisture leakage, the growth of mold, mildew patches and a weakened structure to your home or building.
Cracks occur due to thermal flows, shrinkage and moisture seepage that can widen over time and bring about major problems in the stability of the building’s structure. Also, cracks are considered damages that would reduce your home’s aesthetic appeal and could put off potential buyers.
When it is time to repair concrete crack onto your driveway or sidewalk, you would want to know which materials to purchase. Maybe you have seen your next door neighbor filling in some orange foam into the cracks that look undeniably hideous and thought to yourself, “There has to be a better solution.” Don’t fret, my friend, because you are right. There is a much better alternative. A self-leveling caulk with backer rod/s does miracles plus it would not leave your pathways looking terrible. Keep reading and we’ll take you through what a self-leveling sealant does, how to fix the cracks and where to find the right materials.
My aim is to show you three quick-and-easy tips and tricks in concrete crack repair.
1st step: Find the right kind of crack repair filler.
A self-leveling caulk is the most excellent choice that’s on the market today. This is recommended by almost all construction and repair companies because non-self-leveling caulks do not flow down into cracks and permanently make a seal. Steer clear from those hideous-looking orange foam crack-fillers. You are just going to have a very hard time making a clean fix out of it with the result looking very bad. This is a very crucial step otherwise there is a great chance you are not going to be happy with how it would turn out.
2nd step: Clean the concrete crack.
Avoid leaving twigs, leaves and dirt in the crack. Also, try giving the concrete crack a good thorough scrub with a wire brush before letting the caulking mixture settle down into the crack.
3rd step: Use a backer rod before the application of the self-leveling caulk..
Here is an essential step to helping you get the job done in a timely manner. The backer rod assists on how much caulk goes into the crack and make sure it does not overflow. A self-leveling caulk seeks out unto the deepest point of the crack, if the crack goes to the ground, the caulk will flow all the way down into the crack. You will use too much caulk when it seeps into the cracks that in turn will cost you more money. The backer rod makes sure it does not go for more than 1/4 to 1/2” deep.
Just follow these three simple and quick steps and you will find repairing concrete cracks easy. You could now even boast to your neighbors about your excellent and professional-like crack repairing abilities!
Concrete crack repair kits can be bought off Amazon. Just remember to get a self-leveling caulk. There are ones that are reasonably priced and can get the job done flawlessly.