3 Effective Concrete Repair Methods for Cracks and Damage

Concrete is not a forever solution for flooring, slabs, or driveways. Eventually under sub-optimal conditions, concrete, or anything made from cement, will form cracks. There are many factors in the Missouri/Kansas area that can impact a home’s concrete, including droughts, flooding, freeze/thaw cycles, and soil composition.

Concrete can also crack if it is not installed properly. According to Concrete Network, this could be due to:

Having too much water in the concrete mix,
Rapid drying the concrete,
Improper-strength concrete used for the job, or
A lack of control joints.

The good news is concrete can be repaired, lifted, and leveled. And many concrete floor repair methods aren’t inherently complicated.

Concrete repair and polyjacking specialists like PolyMagic explain why winter is actually an ideal time to restore your garage concrete across Kansas City, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Columbia, and Jefferson City.

If your concrete slab has formed small or narrow cracks, these can be filled with a masonry concrete crack filler. This material is designed to seal cracks. It is applied via a caulking gun after you’ve removed any dust and debris from the crack. Simply let it dry naturally and your crack will be filled with ease.

You can also consider applying a vinyl concrete patching compound with a putty knife or other smoothing tool. Once it is filled, simply let the compound air dry. Many companies specialize in concrete crack sealing options, so getting it done professionally is the best option to ensure accuracy.

If your slab has a wider or larger crack, the techniques mentioned above won’t work as well. However, there is hope. For a method that works well on large cracks, first, chisel out some of the cracks to make it wider at the base of the crack than at the surface. Remove debris with water and move on to the next step.

Next, trowel a vinyl patching compound into the fissure. After it is filled, you will need to use a tamper to remove any air bubbles from the compound. Smooth the top layer of the compound with your trowel and leave to set.

Once set, you only have one step left in this concrete surface repair method’s approach. Simply smooth the top edges with a brush or smoothing agent.

*Can we add something in here about how it can be done by a professional as well, or at least assessed by a professional to see if underlying conditions are contributing to the issue?

If your cracked concrete is getting worse over time, you may have deeper foundation problems. And the concrete crack repair methods mentioned above may not be enough. In truth, it may need professional polyjacking to help diagnose. Sometimes the issues of crumbling and cracking concrete can have other underlying issues, which can be addressed and assessed by a professional.

Polyjacking allows for the concrete slab to be lifted. Subsequently, repairs are to be made to the subfloor before replacing and refinishing the concrete.

PolyMagic offers premier polyjacking services for customers who need expert help with their cracked concrete slab in the Kansas City, Lenexa, Overland Park, north KC, Columbia, Jefferson City, and mid-Missouri areas. This is one of the best concrete foundation repair methods for complex scenarios. It is also great for customers who aren’t confident DIYers.

Learn more about our professional Polyjacking services and concrete foundation repair methods.