Repairing Cracks in Concrete

Courtesy of "Home Masonry Repairs and Projects" from the Black and Decker Home Improvement Library by Creative Publishing International.

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How to repair cracks in concrete

Chisel out the crack to create a backward-angled cut, using a cold chisel and a hammer.

Chisel out the crack to create a backward-angled cut, using a cold chisel and a hammer.

rClean loose material from the crack using a wire brush, or a portable drill with a wire wheel attachment.

Clean loose material from the crack using a wire brush, or a portable drill with a wire wheel attachment.

Apply at thin layer of bonding adhesive to the entire repair area using a paint brush. The bonding adhesive helps keep the repair material from loosening or popping out of the crack.

Apply at thin layer of bonding adhesive to the entire repair area using a paint brush. The bonding adhesive helps keep the repair material from loosening or popping out of the crack.

Mix vinyl reinforced patching compound, and trowel it into the crack. "Feather" the repair with a trowel, so it is even with the surrounding surface.

Mix vinyl reinforced patching compound, and trowel it into the crack. "Feather" the repair with a trowel, so it is even with the surrounding surface.

Variation when repairing a large crack:

Chisel out the crack and clean loose material from the crack as listed above. Then pour sand into the crack to within " of the surface. Prepare sand- mix concrete, adding a concrete fortifier, then trowel the mixture into the crack. Feather until even with the surrounding surface using a trowel.

Chisel out the crack and clean loose material from the crack as listed above. Then pour sand into the crack within the surface. Prepare sand- mix concrete, adding a concrete fortifier, then trowel the mixture into the crack. Feather until even with the surrounding surface using a trowel.

How to repair basement leaking cracks

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