Is it worth fixing?

Cracked concrete should be replaced if due to the three conditions listed below:

Widespread, deep cracks, settlement has occurred

Sunken Concrete

Frost Heave

Any patching compound used to patch these types of cracks will only be a short term fix. You definitely would not want to patch these cracks and then spend money resurfacing the concrete or doing a decorative topping.

Concrete that is cracked only on the surface, or very thin cracks where each side of the crack is still level (there is no settlement)- can be successfully fixed. See fixing cracks. See also basics of concrete repair and troubleshooting

Widespread, deep cracks, settlement has occurred

When concrete is cracked all the way through the surface due to the weight of large trucks, improper preparation of sub grade, erosion of sub grade, or any other reason:

Get the advice of a local soils engineer on sub grade preparation for your area and material needed to prepare sub grade (sometimes existing material is ok)

• Remove the concrete
• Remove the sub grade
• Replace sub grade with compactable material (sometimes existing material is ok)
• Compact the sub grade
• Pour back concrete

Whether you do the job yourself or contract it done-these are the steps to follow. See what is concrete and ordering concrete for information on ordering the right type of concrete

Sunken Concrete

Sunken concrete occurs when the sub grade was not prepared properly. Loose dirt may have been used for the sub grade. When this dirt settles-sometimes due to sprinkler or rain water going under the concrete- the concrete is unsupported and will be more susceptible to sinking.

It is possible that the sub grade was compacted and the concrete was subjected to extreme weight which caused the concrete to sink. This can often we fixed with special equipment that raises the concrete without damaging the slab (HMI Concrete Lifting & Raising Equipment).

Get the advice of a local soils engineer on sub grade preparation for your area and material needed to prepare sub grade (sometimes existing material is ok)

• Remove the concrete
• Remove the sub grade
• Replace sub grade with compactable material (sometimes existing material is ok)
• Compact the sub grade
• Pour back concrete

Whether you do the job yourself or contract it done-these are the steps to follow. See what is concrete and ordering concrete for information on ordering the right type of concrete

Frost Heave

Frost heave is very common in cold climates. Moisture in the ground freezes and the concrete pushes upward.

Get the advice of a local soils engineer on sub grade preparation for your area and material needed to prepare sub grade (sometimes existing material is ok)

• Remove the concrete
• Remove the sub grade
• Replace sub grade with compactable material (sometimes existing material is ok)
• Compact the sub grade
• Pour back concrete

Whether you do the job yourself or contract it done-these are the steps to follow. See what is concrete and ordering concrete for information on ordering the right type of concrete

Spartacote Fast Fix Repair for feather edge repairs

Concrete Repair Products Restoration & Maintenance

Bowed Wall Repair Kit Bowed Wall Repair Kit

Concrete Staple Box of 24 pc, 12" $90.72

Levelflor® by Rapid Set For indoor & outdoor use. Excellent for repair projects.

Fast Patch - Concrete Repair Simply mix with water and trowel