How To Fix Cracks In ANY Concrete Sidewalk Or Driveway Like A Pro! DIY Step-By-Step Guide!

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I expect the crack will reappear because there is nothing of any strength holding together the two sides of the crack. Filling in like this only works if you first create a good bond between the two sides of the crack, typically with epoxy or with metal fasteners (I use 4mm diameter gr 304 stainless rod that won't rust and is cheap. Also, when you fill in the crack with mortar you need to first make the concrete quite damp so the mortar sticks to it and it helps to also apply a bonding agent (typically liquid) as well. Step one - open up the crack like in the video though you don't need smooth edges but in fact rough irregular edges are better because they aid bonding. Step two - brush or blow out crack to get rid of loose material. Step three - wet the concrete crack. Step four - while the concrete is still very damp but not wet, brush on a bonding agent. Step five - fill in the gap with mortar (cheaper to make your own with one part cement, three parts coarse sand, and two parts patching compound). When the mortar is still damp, brush like in the video and then sprinkle over it some sand of a shade that best matches the colour of the surrounding concrete (Reduces the white bleached look) or brush on a soupy mud mixture made from water and plain old dirt to make it look like old concrete. Optional Step 6 - to hide the repair completely, apply a concrete resurfacer to the entire concrete pad/path/ driveway or whatever, or paint it.

Sacrificing your driveway to let us know how both look/work. You are the man! Great video as always bro.

I'm thinking that you could have saved the dust and debris from the angle grinding to put on top of your patch, which would allow a better color match and blending to the original surface

A good tip is to crush up all the stuff you took out and sprinkle it on top of the mortar while it's drying to try and disguise the repair.

I like the convenience of the pre mix but the add water mortar looks better color wise

Another great video.....I like the Quickrete quick repair mortar as it blends better and single application. Keep rockin!

The best is to use a crack chaser wheel in your 4” grinder. Then backer rod in the widen crack then self leveling Sika Flex joint compound. I’m a retired contractor and did many cracks that way.

Your videos are great quality and informative. Thank you!

Good video you did a good job I just have one suggestion that I do for blending in with old concrete whether it be cement to fill in a crack or that light gray caulk I'll usually let it dry to 50% dry and then smear black dirt on top of it and leave it to dry rest of the way and it pretty much Blends in with the rest of the cement. It was a tip I got from an old Mason works pretty well

Thanks a lot your video. It”s very useful for me because there are a lot of cracks on my drive way, the same as you have exposed aggregate concrete. I see some people using pea gravel toon top surface so it can match to the rest.

Thank you for this interesting topic and informative video!

Quickcrete repair mortar. Great job!

I gotta say, the 45 degree angles were backwards...if you have the bottom of your repair area wider than the top, you don't get pop-outs from the freeze thaw cycle. If you're in an area that never freezes, it's not that big a deal, but in northern climates, you need to "keyway" your repair.

This works and Great video. It I hate that I can always notice my repairs with this stuff. But it is what it is

Every crack like that becomes an expansion joint that moves with thermal variations. So it is more convenient fixing it with a self levelling flexible compound, uness you cross stitch the two sides with pre-drilled dowels, and then you can use a rigid expansive mix.

Good information! Enjoy you how-to-videos!

I cut vertical sides along the crack. I can only go 1" deep with my grinder. I cut strips of 1" felt paper and put them in the crack. I mixed 1 part Portland with 2 parts sand to make mortar. i used the trowel to work mortar in on both sides of the felt paper. Fixing cracks in concrete is always temporary. The felt paper will allow for some expansion, which is why the crack formed in the first place. When it cracks again, it will likely follow the paper, rather than make a jagged mess.

I’ve tried many concrete fixes over the years. The best for cracks, for me, is Sashco products, Gray Slab which comes in a convenient tube for a caulking gun. IT STICKS, STRETCHES & STAYS.

Appreciate your video. Have a vertical crack right down the middle. Been thinking of fixing it for years. 🤢