You’ve got a big project. You want to do it right. Of course you do. You’re the kind of person who does things right, not just the easy way, or the cheap way. Maybe the project is putting in a new driveway, or laying a patio, or installing a walkway with pavers. Maybe it’s doing some hardscaping around your home.
Whatever it is, you want to use cement mortar in that project because you know that it’s tough and durable and will last for years and years.
But there’s one problem: You need to repair cracks in your existing cement masonry before you can use cement mortar on your new project. Cracks are ugly but they can also make a perfectly good surface unsafe to walk on, because they can let water seep in and cause further damage to whatever’s underneath the surface.
The first step to repairing cracks in your driveway is to remove any loose pieces of cement from within the crack itself. This will allow you to better repair the crack, and prevent it from spreading. To do this, use a screwdriver, or other pointed object, to chip away at the cement until the crack is completely clean.
Once you have cleaned the crack, use a broom or shop vac to clean out the crack. Be sure to remove any loose dirt or weeds. Once the crack is clean, mix up some mortar mix and water in a bucket. Mix until it is smooth and spreadable.
Use a margin trowel to push mortar into cracks in your driveway. Fill the crack completely, making it slightly higher than the surface of your driveway. Smooth out the top of the mortar with your trowel.
Allow the mortar to dry according to package instructions, usually taking 24-48 hours for normal conditions.
Having a crack in your driveway can be very off-putting and unsightly. Cement is a very durable material, but it does have its weaknesses. The biggest weakness that cement has is the fact that once water enters the cement, it expands as it freezes. This causes the concrete to crack.
If you live in an area where there is a lot of snow or ice, you will want to make sure that the cracks are filled before winter sets in. If you live in an area where this isn’t a concern, you can still go ahead and fix the cracks throughout the year.
DIY Concrete Crack Repair
You might think that repairing cracks in your driveway is something best left to the professionals, but if you’re willing to put in just some effort then you can fix them yourself! We’ll show you how to do it right!
The first step to patching your driveway is to remove the loose debris from the cracks. Use a stiff wire brush or a leaf blower to clean out the cracks. If you are using a leaf blower, pull the crack filler slightly to create a vacuum on the crack filler so that it can fill all of the crevices in the crack. Fill the cracks with Filler Sealant and smooth out with a trowel.
Cracks that are about 1/4″ wide should be filled with Sand Mix, not Filler Sealant. Sand Mix is also referred to as: Topping Mix, 1-to-3 Mix, or Bedding Mix.
Cracks that are over 1/4″ wide will get deeper and wider in cold weather. The best time of year to repair cracks in your driveway is spring or fall because this will allow for the best drying conditions. The warmth of summer will cause any repairs made to melt away because asphalt needs time to cure and harden itself completely before it can be exposed to extreme heat.
Once you have identified all of your problem areas, clean them thoroughly with a broom and use them as guidelines for filling with cement mortar mixer. It’s important that you make sure all of your cracks are dry
Cement driveways are durable, but over time, inevitably develop cracks. Driveway cracks are most often caused by expansions from freezing water under the driveway, or small settlements under the driveway.
Driveway cracks can be repaired quickly and cheaply, especially if your driveway is relatively new and the cracks are small. These instructions apply to concrete and asphalt driveways.
If you have a gravel or crushed stone driveway, use a chip seal paving technique to repair cracks. This technique requires specialized materials and equipment, but it’s the best way to seal a gravel driveway.
Materials Needed:
– Small broom
– Medium-bristled push broom
– Garden hose with spray attachment
– Cracks in need of repair (the size of the crack determines what material you’ll need)
Follow these steps to repair cracks in your concrete driveway.
1. First, you will need to prep the area. Remove any loose cement or dirt using a chisel and a wire brush. Remove any oil stains using a degreaser such as TSP and water solution. Rinse the area with water and let it dry thoroughly.
We have an old driveway that had been patched with asphalt and then tar. The tar was failing and the asphalt was exposed. After cleaning out the cracks, I filled them with a good quality epoxy. The next day I put down the concrete crack filler. It has rained for several days since I put it down and it is holding up very well. It flows into the small cracks very well and I am sure will last a long time. This product is expensive but will save you time and money in the long run as it lasts a long time.