It’s but natural for outdoor embellishments and fittings to be weathered by, well, the weather itself. And the same is true for your concrete patio. Cracked and faded, it needs refurbishing and you can do so without cashing out on thousands of dollars outside your budget!
Here are basic concrete patio repair options you can try at home.
Steps In Repairing Cracked Concrete Patios
1. Resurfacing
Also called DIY concrete, resurfacing has to do with cracks that aren’t wide. These tend to be unsightly, making the concrete appear old and worn. If left untreated over time, the cracks may grow larger because of the weight and tension from objects on top of them.
Instead of worrying about how much you’ll spend demolishing the entire flooring and re-pouring cement on from end to end, resurfacing is a treatment process that will work just as well. This inexpensive method utilizes bonding agents and cement that will fill up said cracks and bind the opposing slabs of concrete together.
Despite it being very affordable, resurfacing is among the more durable solutions to concrete repairing.
2. Sealers
Another quick-fix for small gaping holes and crevices are sealers. Along with these, caulks. These elastomeric materials, which means that they expand, ensuring no holes unfilled. Moreover, they have to be applied using a specialized instrument with a narrow tip in order for you to maneuver it easily in the thin gaps.
Caulks and other similar sealers are also often used in sealing fissures wherein water seeps through easily. These substances are water-resistant and will not corrode with the same element.
Just make sure to level it out well with a trowel for its surface to appear immaculately flawless. Another tip is to clean up the concrete crack itself so as to avoid slab-motion. Remember that caulks and sealers work only if the base is rigid. All you’ll have to do is chisel out the unwanted bumps and curves.
By the way, a V-shape is frequently the preferred option because it creates a higher chance of binding concrete together, even if they’re of different makes.
3. Resin
There’s a specific type that’s perfect for this DIY task and that’s polymer resin. If you’re willing to spend just a little more compare to the first two options, then this fix will be worth it. Polymer resin is considered to be a pricey agent because it doesn’t only fill in chinks, but it also binds the concrete together so reliably, not even moisture will be able to pass through.
You’ll also be amazed to know that among the three, it offers the highest level of strength. Once laid down correctly, you can be assured that it will hold strong for a long period of time. On the same note, this equates to a longer wait in allowing the resin to settle and dry. In fact, it will take more than a few hours or so.
To add to this, mix it with the prescribed hardener to get maximum results. When it comes to concrete repair for your patios, choose from the best and cost-effective options like resurfacing, sealers, and resins. You're sure to get you're money's worth
