How To Repair Cracked Cement Driveway

DIY physical resurfacing

Repair and resurface a concrete driveway in a weekend or less. Improve Homes and Gardens contributing editor Danny Lipford shows yous how.

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DIY Concrete Resurfacing

DIY concrete resurfacing

Though physical is a durable surface, concrete driveways deteriorate and develop cracks over the years. Rather than going through the expense of removing the slab and pouring a new one, you lot may exist able to repair and resurface the existing concrete.

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Cracks in Concrete

Cracks in physical

Cracks in concrete tin can be caused past tree roots and soil motion, as well as freezing and thawing cycles in the winter and expansion during the summertime.

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Clean Concrete

Make clean concrete

Before the driveway tin be repaired, it must be thoroughly cleaned. A pressure washer is a great way to remove mold, mildew, and dirt. Get-go by wetting down the concrete to foreclose the cleaner from drying too speedily.

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Fill Cleaning Solution Reservoir

Make full cleaning solution reservoir

Purchase a masonry cleaning solution that includes strong degreasing agents or agents that get rid of plant staining and mold. Add the cleaning solution to the pressure washer reservoir.

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Utilise Cleaning Solution

Use cleaning solution

Spray the cleaner on the surface of the concrete using a depression-pressure nozzle following the instructions on the container.

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High-Pressure Nozzle

High pressure nozzle

One time the cleaner has been applied, attach a high-force per unit area nozzle to the force per unit area washer.

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Clean Physical

Clean concrete

Clean the surface of the driveway thoroughly using the loftier-pressure nozzle and settings. Clean debris from cracks, and remove any dirt or loose physical.

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Mix Physical for Repairs

Mix physical for repairs

Pour plenty dry concrete mix into a five-gallon bucket to repair any cracks and patch damaged areas. Sand mix or concrete resurfacer, which exercise not contain gravel, may be used if the area to exist repaired is not large or deep. A standard physical mix that contains gravel works best for patching big or deep areas.

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Physical Consistency

Physical consistency

Mix the concrete with water to a thick consistency like to cookie dough. A mixing paddle chucked in a heavy-duty low-RPM drill makes quick piece of work of preparing the concrete.

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Pour Concrete on Cracks

Pour concrete on cracks

Pour the mixed concrete in the cracks and damaged areas.

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Fill Cracks

Fill cracks

A flat edged trowel is used to work the mixture into the cracks.

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Smooth Cracks

Smooth cracks

Once the cracks and other damaged spots take been filled, use the trowel to remove excess concrete and smooth the surface.

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Drying Time

Drying fourth dimension

Let the physical used to repair cracks and other damaged areas to dry out overnight.

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Mix Resurfacer

Afterward the repair work is complete, it'southward time to apply a thin glaze of resurfacing concrete over the entire driveway. Mix the resurfacer much thinner than the concrete that was used to repair cracks, making it about the consistency of pancake concoction. Earlier applying the resurfacer, blow or sweep off any leaves or debris, and so moisture the surface down to keep the concrete from drying also fast.

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Spread Resurfacer

Spread resurfacer

When the driveway is ready, pour the resurfacer out and spread information technology using a safety squeegee, working a small area at a time. Getting an even glaze without lap marks takes do.