A Guide To Cosmetic Foundation Repairs
Concrete cracks. This is inevitable. Since you can't really avoid small pressure cracks in your concrete, you should just do your best to fix them, even if it is just cosmetic, as soon as possible. Fixing small concrete cracks it simple. Whether you have cracks in your driveway, sidewalks, or foundation structures, concrete crack repair is pretty easy if you have the right tools and supplies for the job. This article will show you how to fix small cosmetic cracks in your foundation.
What You Need
The most important thing you need to fix small concrete cracks is a concrete patch. This is different than ready-mix concrete. In fact, never use normal concrete to fill small cracks. It won't hold, and you won't fix your problem because it is brittle when installed in small amounts. Crack filler, on the other hand, is slightly rubbery and infused with glue. This means that it won't crack and it will move with the concrete without breaking up. Since it has glue in the mixture, the crack filler will also stick on old concrete, even if the surface is not smooth. Crack filler comes premixed. It can be bought in large tubs (better for larger jobs) or small caulk tubes (better for smaller jobs).
What to Look Out For
In the process of filling your cracks, you need to keep your eyes open. That is, you need to pay attention to cracks and stop immediately if you notice if any of the cracks go all the way through the slab. If the cracks are so big that it goes all the way through the foundation, you need to have it professionally repaired. So, stop right away and call in a pro.
Filling the Cracks
If you are just filling cracks for cosmetic purposes, you can do it quite easily with the crack filler and a plastic putty knife. Make sure to wear gloves because the job is going to be messy. When you fill in the crack, you want to make sure that you press the filler deep into the crack so it penetrates all the way to bottom and there are no gaps. Then, scrape away the excess, wiping it flat and building it up to match with the crack edges. The job takes a little bit of craftiness but is fairly straightforward.
As you can see, filling foundation cracks is easy DIY work. Contact a company like Dura Lift Foundation Solutions for more information and assistance.