How to Fix Concrete Foundations
Since concrete is easy to work with and provides a sturdy material it's extremely popular to use for building foundations. While it's a versatile material, it isn't perfect. As the ground settles and shifts concrete foundations can crack. This isn't going to damage the actual structure, but it can look terrible. Fixing these cracks is relatively easy.
Fixing cracks in your concrete foundation will require some work. While the cracks are harmless to the building they can look bad. Fixing these can restore the beauty of your home and protect its value.
What You'll Need:
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Old paintbrush
- Concrete mix and bonding liquid
- Bucket
- Trowel
- Start by making the crack slightly wider. To do this you want to chisel in the crack and gently tap the chisel with the hammer. You want the crack opened at least an inch so you can work with it more easily.
- Clean out the crack with a wire brush. You want to remove as much debris from the crack as you can. This gives you a cleaner area to work with and allows the bonding agent to work.
- Use the paintbrush and bonding liquid on the inside of the crack. This will help the concrete mix to affix properly to the crack.
- Prepare the concrete mix in the bucket. Follow the directions regarding mixing as directed by the manufacturer. In most cases you'll add enough water to create an oatmeal like consistency.
- Use the trowel to scoop the concrete in to the crack. It's best to start at the top and work your way down. You want to press as much concrete in to the crack as you can. Flip the trowel over so you're working with a flat edge. Smooth the concrete out with this. The more even the new concrete is the less likely it is you'll be able to notice the repair after the fact.
- Allow at least 24 hours for the concrete to dry. Keep in mind that concrete will continue to cure for days once it feels dry to the touch.