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How to Repair Your Concrete Patio

Natural occurrences, such as freeze-thaw cycles and ground movement can affect a patio surface’s durability. What can you do if your patio is in bad shape?

The solution is determined by the problem you’re having. Some repairs are modest, and others might take more time and expertise.

Here is our advice on five common concrete repairs you can do:

  1. Use a caulking-based product to fill and seal concrete cracking.
    Your concrete patio most likely has a few cracks on its surface. For various causes, including earth movement, bad pouring conditions, and just the nature of concrete, this occurs. However, that does not imply you have to accept them because they are typical fractures.
    A flexible caulk-based product is the best option for sealing and repairing cracks. This matte gray, textured acrylic caulk is designed to match the surrounding concrete. It would help if you had a caulk gun and a utility knife to cut the tip off this product. Fill the product into the cracks and smooth it out.

  2. If you have crumbling corners on your concrete, you can fix them by using a concrete cleaner and patching compound.
    A chipped or crumbling corner is among the most prevalent problems patio homeowners face. These corners deteriorate over time due to age, water, and regular foot traffic. They start at a sharp, beautiful angle and wind up rounded and crumbly after years of usage. There’s a simple remedy for this on your own.
    It would help if you cleaned the corner first, but the first step is to clean it thoroughly so that the repair substance can adhere properly. Start by sweeping away any loose debris with a brush. Pour some concrete cleaning solution into the damaged corner, scrub it with a brush, and then rinse the area well.
    After disinfecting the mended place, you’re ready to start restorative concrete repair with a structural concrete repair product. This repair compound is a fast-setting, high-strength restoration material for vertical and horizontal structural maintenance, perfect for a crumbling corner. Trowel a thin layer of heavy pressure on the repair area with water and product. Then, using a trowel, tool the corner to match the vertical and horizontal angles of the corner. Once you’re happy, leave the corner to cure like any concrete repair in hot, dry, or windy environments.

  3. Transform an old slab by adding an overlay or pavers.
    Patios, like other pieces of equipment, wear out and become obsolete. Paving may be put over your deck to change its appearance completely. While experts may believe this is a difficult job, you can do it yourself.
    Pavers may appear formidable, but it’s a simple project if you take your time and layout your pattern. Make sure your patio is angled away from your home, layout your design, then glue the perimeter course on the area. Add polymeric sand and rinse it off. That’s it.

  4. After removing the old concrete, resurface the slab to create a sleek, new surface on your patio.
    Adding pavers or an overlay may be enticing, but resurfacing the slab is a less expensive and quicker alternative. Concrete resurfacing liquid is a robust and durable solution that creates a smooth, uniform surface over unsightly patios, and it’s easy to apply.
    First, use a 3,500 PSI pressure washer to clean the patio surface thoroughly to remove any grease, oil, dirt, and other adhesion preventers. After that, combine the substance with water in amounts specified on the package until it’s smooth like syrup.
    In a well-ventilated area, apply the liquid to the patio surface in small sections and sweep it out. Use a push broom to give the surface a non-slip texture.

  5. When expansion joints become damaged or rusted, they must be repaired and resealed to keep them operating effectively.
    Not all cracks and holes in concrete surfaces are harmful. Expansion joints—the gaps produced during installation between two concrete surfaces—are made to allow the slabs to shift or provide a place to split apart from the patio field. It’s critical to repair and seal these connections so that plants, insects, or flood potential don’t come along.
    To repair your patio’s joints, make sure they’re clean. Remove any dirt, dust, stones, or gravel from the expansion joint. If any oil or grease is present, use a scrub brush and concrete cleaning solution to remove them.
    Use a leveling sealant product to repair and seal the joint after it has been cleaned. This polyurethane-based product is flexible, so the slabs can flex without ripping. All that’s required are a caulk gun and a utility knife, as this comes in a caulking tube.
    Cut the tip of the sealant and squeeze it into the gap. Because this sealant is so fluid, it’s likely to flow into more significant gaps. The good news is that contractors can use foam ropes designed to block those gaps.