When you first discover damage to your concrete pavement or driveway, it’s important to find out what’s causing the damage to your concrete. Once you’ve taken care of the cause and want to learn how professionals like Charlotte Pavers & Stone undertake concrete repair, there are a few methods you can apply from home.
Damage to your concrete can take shape in way of cracks or scaling, or your pavement popping out or breaking down. Like any other repair job, the sooner you take action to repair your concrete, the better off you will be.
Find the source
There are many sources for the damage you see in your pavement, and most of them have to do with drainage issues. When your home or roof cannot properly drain off the moisture and water, this can cause fundamental damage to the base of your concrete.
Analyze the damage
Take a look at the damage to your concrete to determine how severe the damage is. Small cracks that are smaller than an 1/8th of an inch can typically be left alone, whereas larger cracks must be repaired right away.
Preparation
Never try to undertake your concrete repair job during a windy or overly hot day, as it can cause your mixture to dry out too quickly. Prepare the surface using a wire brush to clear away any loose debris and rinse with water.
Mix mortar epoxy or crack filler
There are many products that also come in a pre-filled tube for ease of application. Make sure the epoxy is forced down the crack and that you maximize the surface area of which the crack filler can work. Using a thin putty knife or applicator can also help you ensure the crack filler penetrates the surface properly.
Larger cracks can be repaired using sand-mix concrete being troweled down the fissure, and feathering over the surface until even. Use of a concrete fortifier can also aid in the speed of your concrete repair.
Curing
Proper curing is only possible under the right amount of time and at the right temperature. After you have scraped off any excess concrete filler, you can even out the concrete surface until flat by using a brush or even your finger.
If you do not have the time to undertake a project such as this and want to call in a local expert, reach out to Charlotte Pavers & Stone, where no job is too small.