Residential Concrete Repairs: 3 Methods Used By Contractors To Repair Concrete Cracks

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When someone describes an idea or action as "concrete," they generally mean that action is permanent or stable. Of course, that meaning is derived from the fact that concrete itself is really hard and stable. This is why, over the years, concrete has become such an in-demand material. It's used to make everything from the biggest skyscrapers to the smallest of patio pavers. What other material could be so versatile? We hope to bring more attention to that versatility as we write about concrete and contractors on this blog. As our readers, you can enjoy the content and let us know how we're doing.

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Residential Concrete Repairs: 3 Methods Used By Contractors To Repair Concrete Cracks

14 September 2022
 Categories: , Blog


When you notice cracks on your concrete slabs and walls, you must seek immediate concrete repairs to remedy the situation. However, contractors use different types of concrete repair methods to fix cracks. In most cases, the method used by concrete repair contractors will depend on the nature and size of these cracks. 

Thus, if you intend to call a concrete repair contractor to fix cracks on your concrete, here are three concrete repair options they might use. 

1. Epoxy Injections 

Epoxy injections involve mixing cement with epoxy products and then injecting the mixture into a crack. The epoxy bonds with the concrete inside the cracks and solidifies to form a potent bonding agent. Hence, when the epoxy and cement mixture hardens, it fills the crack and holds the gap together to prevent it from enlarging. 

However, epoxy injection concrete repairs are only applicable for minute cracks. On average, epoxy injections can work for cracks larger than 0.002 inches wide. But, you should note that the epoxy injection will only fill the gap. Hence, it may not fix the root cause of the cracking. 

As a result, it is advisable to first fix the root cause before filling the crack with epoxy. Else, the cracking will continue. 

2. Routing and Sealing 

Routing and sealing involve slightly enlarging the crack to form a groove and then filling the groove with a sealant. 

Concrete repair contractors use a mechanical saw to create a V-shaped groove along the crack during the routing process. The saw ensures that the groove has smooth walls that will enable the sealant to flow along the groove easily and bond with the concrete to seal the crack. 

Common types of sealants used include: 

  • Polymer mortars
  • Urethanes
  • Silicones
  • Epoxies
  • Asphaltic materials

Once the sealant bonds with the groove walls and solidifies, the original crack gets sealed up, and the surface levels out.

3. Stitching 

Stitching is one of the best ways to repair slabs with deep cracks or fractures without reconstructing the entire slab. The stitching process involves using metal wires or bars to suture a gap or fracture shut. 

The stitching process starts by drilling holes along the sides of the crack/fracture. However, the concrete repair contractors ensure that the holes on either side of the cracks meet under the cracked surface. Then the contractors insert metal wires/bars in the holes from one side of the crack and push them through to the other side. 

Afterward, the contractors adjoin the ends of the metal wires/bars on the surface to complete the stitching. However, the contractors also use grout or epoxy to anchor the metal wires or stitching bars to prevent shifting. 

Contact a residential concrete repair service to learn more.