Repairing a cracked concrete sidewalk is a big decision to make, and often creates anxiety for homeowners. But should you repair it? Yes, if your sidewalk is structurally sound, or if the crack is small. Concrete cracking occurs from shrinkage that accumulates over time as cement’s water content evaporates during curing. Cracks can also be caused by natural occurrences such as earthquakes
Concrete cracks can be repaired or left alone
If you have a crack in your concrete, what do you do? Do you call a professional out to fix it or just leave it as is? If the crack is small and unnoticeable you can leave it as is. If the crack is larger and has an appearance that makes it hard to ignore then a professional should be called in to repair the concrete. Many people think that a really good way to save money on repairs is to buy an epoxy kit and fix it themselves.
Benefits of repairing cracked concrete
Cracked concrete is a common sight in most cities. Many times, the cracks are isolated to larger sidewalks and streets. In other cases, the cracks can be an indication of larger structural issues with buildings or sidewalks. The decision to repair cracked concrete is often debated. On one hand, it could be preventing a serious issue from developing later on. On the other hand, repairing concrete is expensive and time-consuming.
Risks of repairing cracked concrete
Cracking concrete can happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is a differential settlement. Differential settlement happens when water seeps through the ground and freezes during the winter months. When the ice melts in the spring, it leaves behind small pockets of air that begin to swell. This leads to cracks in the cement which can be fixed by pouring new concrete over the existing surface.
Repairing cracks is a good option for small cracks
The most common way to repair cracks is by filling, spackling, or caulking with epoxy. The process involves filling the crack with a filler material, rebar, or mesh reinforcement before sealing with a clear sealant or cement-based mortar. If you want to permanently fix your cracked concrete it is important that you find out what damaged the surface in the first place and try to avoid it in the future.
