6 Solutions to Cracked, Ugly, or Sinking Concrete

When you own a home, you can’t avoid concrete. It’s the most common material used to build foundations, driveways, and backyard patios. Although concrete is generally durable, over time, it can develop cracks, start to settle unevenly, and show signs of wear.

Addressing concrete issues fast is important to maintain safety and the structural integrity of your home.

If you’ve noticed sinking, cracked, or ugly areas made of concrete around your home, here are some practical solutions to get it repaired.

1. Foam jacking

Uneven slabs of concrete are a safety hazard, but they can also cause drainage problems. To fix this issue, you need to lift and stabilize the sinking slab.

Traditionally, people have used mud jacking to lift sinking concrete, but foam jacking is better. Foam jacking addresses sinking and settling – two common issues seen with concrete slabs. However, unlike mud jacking, it uses polyurethane foam and the entire process is faster.

Like mud jacking, holes are drilled in the slab and foam is injected where it’s left to expand and harden. However, the holes are smaller and it only takes about 15 minutes to cure (compared to 24-72 hours with mud jacking). For larger slabs of concrete, foam jacking is the better solution.

2. A complete replacement

Although it’s the most expensive and time-consuming option, sometimes a complete replacement is the only option. If what you’re trying to achieve can’t be done by filling cracks or jacking a sinking slab, then you might need to call in a pro to replace your concrete. This is also a good option if you want specific aesthetics and have the budget for a complete overhaul.

3. Fill the cracks

No matter how small your cracks are now, they will get bigger with time if left alone. Use a masonry crack filler or concrete caulk to fill cracks less than ¼” wide. First, you’ll need to clean the crack to remove debris, and then apply the filler using a caulking gun. After the crack is filled, use a putty knife to smooth the surface and then let it cure. While this method is quick and easy, it should not be used for structural cracks for safety reasons.

To fill wide cracks, you’ll need to use a concrete patching compound and put in a little more work. The first thing you’ll need to do is cut out part of the concrete underneath each side of the crack to enhance the bond. After cleaning the area, you’ll mix the compound until it has the consistency of grout. Using a trowel, apply the mixture into the crack until it’s compacted and level with the surrounding surface. Once it cures, you’re done.

4. Resurface your concrete

For surface wear and tear, you can get away with resurfacing rather than replacing the concrete. This involves cleaning the concrete and repairing any cracks first. Once the cracks are filled, you’ll mix a concrete resurfacing material until it’s pourable. Then you’ll pour the mixture onto the concrete and spread it out with a squeegee. At this point, if you want a non-slip surface, use a broom to add some texture. Let it cure and it should look new.

5. Cross-stitch structural cracks

If you have significant cracks in a slab of concrete, you can drill holes at an angle across the cracks and insert steel bars to hold the sides together. This is one of the most common methods used by professionals to repair city sidewalks and roads.

6. Use hydraulic cement

In addition to the traditional methods for filling cracked cement, hydraulic cement is an option. It’s made from alite, belite, celite, and brownmillerite, and it hardens when exposed to water. It’s used to patch small chips, fill cracks, and sometimes it’s used to build large water-resistant structures, like docks and dams.

Hydraulic cement sets within minutes, making it the ideal solution for fast fixes, like repairing cracks in basement walls, swimming pools, and masonry chimneys. It’s strong enough for minor foundation repairs as well. However, if you’ve never used it before, it can be challenging to fill deep cracks before it hardens.

Consider restoration before replacement

It’s not always necessary to fully replace cracked, sinking, or worn concrete. In many cases, it can be fixed with the solutions outlined in this article.

The key is to repair issues fast to prevent them from becoming an even bigger problem.