Hydraulic cement doesn’t bond well with the concrete used for slabs. If at that point you dig out the caulk, you might try to fill the hole with hydraulic cement. If you use a silicone caulk, your crack will seem to be fixed, but you haven’t stopped water from leeching in, and in a few years’ time, the caulk will come loose and peel away. Most DIY fixes fail because the homeowner performs a superficial fix.
When repairing cracks in your concrete slabs, it’s crucial that you address the entire crack, all the way down to its deepest parts. This protects the concrete and can be pulled up after you’ve applied the epoxy, leaving your concrete’s sheen (or lack thereof) in the same state it was in before you made repairs. You also have the option of applying a plastic surface sealer before you fill the cracks. Final SealĪfter the epoxy has cured, you can give your slab a final seal if appearance is important. The instructions on your epoxy will give you a clearer idea of what kind of timeline to expect. You can expect the curing process to last a few days, up to six. This will clean things up and keep your slab as smooth as possible. Using a paintbrush dipped in mineral spirits, feather out the edges of the epoxy. Go over the crack with a trowel to even the sealant. The epoxy will start to gel or harden depending on what kind you use. But if the epoxy is still flowing down through the crack, don’t move on until it has stopped. If it’s overflowing, continue down the crack. If not, you can opt to use a pourable epoxy.īegin pumping or pouring your epoxy into the crack, starting from one end and slowly working your way to the other. A hydraulic pump, pressure pot, and an air-actuated caulking gun can be used to inject the epoxy into the crack if high pressure is needed. Otherwise, it will get thick and impossible to use. Take care to mix only the amount you’ll need. Now that you have your crack chiseled and prepared, mix your epoxy. An epoxy sealant can also be used on smaller cracks, but for larger fractures in your concrete, you’ll want to stick exclusively with an epoxy remedy. A caulking option will dry quickly, within a couple of hours.įor deeper cracks, we recommend using an epoxy sealant. Simply caulk the crack, then use a trowel to spread the caulk evenly. For cracks less than one half inch wide, several caulk and sealant options are available. There are many different kinds of concrete crack repair kits out there. Use a wire brush to remove any dried concrete and debris from the crack. Using a chisel, widen the crack to one quarter of an inch in the shape of a V this will allow plenty of room for the sealant to rest. If not, you’ll need to wait for the crack to dry on its own. If it stays dry after a few minutes, you can proceed. Check for MoistureĪ common occurrence when you have a crack in your foundation or slab is the presence of water. If there’s a bigger problem than just a small crack, you don’t want to provide an aesthetic solution without getting to the root of the issue.
#CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB CRACK REPAIR PROFESSIONAL#
Call in a professional to inspect your foundation. If the size or pattern of the crack indicates you might have a serious issue with your foundation, don’t try to seal it. Is Sealing the Crack a Bad Idea?įirst of all, if you have any hesitation about sealing the crack, listen to your instincts. To clear up confusion and make this task as easy as possible, we’ve created a how-to guide for repairing cracks in your poured concrete slabs. Once a crack develops, it’s important to seal it to prevent water seepage and further damage. Uneven drying, shrinkage, and temperature changes can all cause fractures in your slab. Due to the rigid nature of concrete, cracks are inevitable.
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