With any concrete structure, cracks can form in a system when they are improperly vented or installed. In the case of a concrete structure, cracks can lead to water leakage and flooding. While it’s not always possible to determine the exact location of a crack, you can often choose its size by feel.
To prevent cracking in your new concrete project, here is what you need to know about patching cracks in concrete.
What is patching cracked concrete?
A patch is a construction technique used to repair or replace defective concrete. A crack in concrete is often filled with dirt or other material.
While patching a crack in the concrete, you should also take the time to examine the internal structure of the concrete. If you notice any defects, such as excess material coming out of the cracks or an unsightly gap between the cement walls, try to fill it in.
Always use professional patch-up materials to fill up the concrete.
If the cracks in your concrete structure are more significant than usual and you don’t see the signs of excessive expansion, you may be able to fill them in with ordinary concrete. However, you should use professional, high-quality concrete patching materials when filling concrete cracks.
Check with a professional concrete contractor if you have any doubts about the value of using high-quality concrete. Some contractors might bill clients for more because some are better equipped to deal with patching cracks in concrete.
Bottom line
When you cover a crack in the concrete, you are expanding it. Allowing excess fill material to accumulate in the cracks will weaken the concrete and make it more susceptible to catastrophic failure. Finally, when you use high-quality concrete, you ensure that the work will be done safely and effectively.