Cracked concrete can be unsightly and dangerous, but fixing it isn’t a terribly tough or time consuming job.

There are many reasons why concrete cracks and avoiding repair will only make matters worse in due time. It’s best to keep in mind however, that cracks in concrete are common and inevitable due to freeze-thaw cycles, the weather and frequency of use.

Depending on the size of the crack, many homeowners can repair the crack inexpensively in less than half a day. Of course, larger cracks might require more work, or even calling us at Urban Concrete to fix or replace the concrete.

To repair smaller cracks, simply follow the following instructions:

—     Use a chisel to rid the crack of larger pieces. While this sounds counterintuitive, use a chisel to essentially make the crack slightly bigger at the surface, clearing out larger pieces of concrete. This will help the patching material bond with the existing concrete.

—     Thoroughly clean the crack, getting rid of any dust or debris. Use a broom to sweep up the bigger pieces, then follow with a wet-dry vacuum to suck up the dust.

—     Using any number of concrete patch products on the market — often found at your local hardware store — fill the crack and use a trowel to smooth out the filling material. Allow the material to cure overnight or per the instructions from the manufacturer. If needed, repeat the process until the crack is filled.

—     To make your concrete seal last, seal it with a heavy-duty water-based polyurethane to prevent stains from being absorbed by the concrete. It’s best to add a second coat, or, if in a heavy traffic area, three or four coats.

At Urban Concrete, we can help repair any unsightly or unsafe cracked concrete, whether it’s your Racine stamped concrete or your Lake Geneva decorative concrete floors.

To learn how to fix cracked concrete, to learn how we can help, or to learn about our other concrete services, contact us today.