How to Repair a Cracked Concrete & Flagstone Sidewalk

If you have a home that is over 10 years old, chances are you have a crack or two in your new York driveway or sidewalk that is waiting patiently for you to repair it. Both concrete and flagstone can develop cracks from expansion and contraction, particularly in harsh climates with multiple weather cycles. You can call us at A Real Advantage Construction to do the work for you professionally, or you can take a chance at fixing it yourself. If you would like to repair the crack yourself. If you choose the latter route, here are some tips to get you started.

Cracks are unattractive, usually and create a tripping hazard. Sidewalk repair Bronx is a simple project that most people can do to improve the safety of your driveway Queens. When completed, the strength of the sidewalk or flagstone will be restored, though signs of the patching will remain. Here are some items you will need to complete your crack repair Bronx:

• Push broom
• Work gloves
• Safety goggles
• Face mask
• Angle grinder
• Crack chaser blade
• Wire brush
• Power washer
• Concrete crack filler
• Caulking gun
• Putty knife
• Epoxy gel adhesive
• Paintbrush
• Joint repair compound

You can start by sweeping the surface of the concrete clean using a broom.

1. Step 1

   Sweep the surface of the concrete clean using a push broom. Remove any dirt or debris that may be present.

2. Step 2

   Don the safety gear including the safety goggles, face mask and the work gloves. Locate the larger cracks, those greater than 1/4-inch wide, and prepare them for repair. Route out the crack using an angle grinder with a crack chaser blade attached. Go over the edges of the crack until they are vertical with a slight tilting in the bottom of the crack so that the bottom is larger than the top. Level out the floor of the crack up to one-inch in depth. The tilted sides of the crack will make the repairs more effective, providing a ledge of sorts to hold the patch in place.

3. Step 3

   Clean out all cracks with a wire brush, and then wash the entire surface of the concrete or flagstones with a power washer. Wash the cracks especially well. Make sure to wash in a single direction so as not to refill cracks with debris. Allow the cracks to dry completely before proceeding.

4. Step 4

   Repair the smaller cracks using concrete crack filler. Place a tube of the filler into a caulking gun. Cut off the tip of the tube and then fill the cracks with the material until it slightly overflows onto the surface of the concrete. Scrape away the excess using a putty knife and allow it to set according to manufacturer's instructions.

5. Step 5

   Repair the larger cracks using a combination of epoxy adhesive and joint repair compound. Take the adhesive and apply a layer of the gel to the sides and bottom of the larger cracks using a paintbrush. Allow the adhesive to dry to the point of being tacky to the touch, but no longer wet. Fill the cracks with the joint repair compound to overflowing. Use the putty knife to pack the cracks with the compound and then scrape away the excess. Allow the compound to dry as per manufacturer's suggestions.

That's about it - remember that if this doesn't work out for you, you can always call us at A Real Advantage Construction to help you out with your Crack Repair in New York.