As far as driveway materials go, it's easy to say that concrete is a far better choice than gravel or dirt. True, it's a lot more expensive, but what it lacks in cheapness it makes up for in durability. Concrete doesn't wash out after a hard rain or flooding like gravel will. It doesn't turn into a mud pit either. The only downside of concrete is that it does crack after so many years of wear and tear. Luckily, with a few products from a home improvement or hardware store, you can fix it up so it looks almost as good as new.
Materials Needed:
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Caulking gun
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Concrete patch
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Sealant
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Trowel
Preparation
Before you start fixing the cracks, you need to clean the area. Sweep off each spot that will be receiving repairs. If some of the cracks have oil or other stains on them, scrub them off until the stains are gone. Another good preparation tip is to check the weather forecast. You don't want to take the chance of it raining during or shortly after you repair the concrete.
Step One
Place the concrete patch bottle into the caulking gun. Slowly spread the concrete patch on the entire crack. Make sure you follow the entire crack, even if it zig-zags a lot. The mixture doesn't have to be too thick, but it does have to be enough to cover the width of the crack once you spread it out.
Step Two
Take your trowel and carefully smooth out the concrete patch. If you notice that the mixture no longer covers the crack, go back and add more to each bare spot. Continue doing this until all the mixture is smooth and no cracks are showing.
Step Three
Allow the patch to dry according to the time on the product. In order to bond to the old concrete, it needs to cure. Once it is completely dry, you can begin to seal it to add another layer of protection against the elements.
Step Four
Take the sealant and apply it over the patch. There are various sealants that you can choose from, such as extra-duty ones that are designed to absorb stains. Use a brush or the trowel to layer the sealant on the concrete and allow it to cure based on the time dictated by the product. You can spread it over the entire driveway, including any area that wasn't repaired, just to add a nice layer of protection against stains and future cracks.
Contact a company, like Claggett & Sons Inc, for more help.
As someone who has always been interested in construction work, I naturally navigated towards general contractors when I wanted to make my home better. I wanted to lighten up the rooms, make the living spaces more interesting, and focus on the different areas of the home to make the place fun. It was really interesting to see how well things started to come together, and I knew that I owed it all to my contractor. This blog is all about creating an unbelievable environment for yourself and the people you love. Check out this blog for great tips on your next construction project.