Although this might sound like a tough project in reality it is not as difficult as it might sound. If the cracks are small you can repair them but if they are large or are in the foundation of a building such as your home you should hire concrete contractors to do the repairs. They will also check to see if there is any structural damage that also needs fixing.
These cracks can appear in your sidewalks, patios, and driveways. They can even appear around the home’s foundation. These cracks can be caused by weather conditions and root growth. The most common cause is standing water, which can happen when the water does not drain properly. This water will work its ways between sections of concrete that are weak and as a result a crack will appear. To prevent the crack from reoccurring make sure the water drains properly.
If the cracks are about three millimeters wide you can repair them yourself. You will start by cleaning out the cracks of any debris and then use a screwdriver to chip away any loose concrete or flakes. Using a wire brush, scour the cracks to remove any dirt and rinse the area with the hose. To fill in the cracks you can use either concrete caulk or a concrete patching compound. If the cracks are a little larger than three millimeters you can add a small amount of sand in the cracks before you use the patching compound.
When using the method with sand packing you need to make sure that the concrete patching compound has a latex additive to give it flexibility. First pour in a layer of sand to help fill in the cracks and then using a trowel apply the patching compound on top. Quickly smooth the surface and feather the new area into the existing edges to give it a finished look.
If you choose to use the concrete caulking method you need to use siliconized latex concrete caulk. You can find this type at most hardware and home improvement stores. To force the caulk deep into the cracks you will need to use a caulking gun. Make sure the concrete caulk is deep into the width and length of the crack. It does not need to be too deep as it will expand to fill in the crack. Because of the nature of this type of concrete caulking it allows for the contraction and expansion of the concrete during weather changes so you will not need to do as many repairs in the future. You will not need to smooth it out because it will self-level. With slightly larger cracks you may need apply it multiple times.