How to Fix Everything For Dummies
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Filling small cracks in concrete keeps them from turning into big holes. If you know how to fill small cracks in concrete, you’ll restore your concrete to a smooth finish. This technique will work for cracks smaller than 3/8 inch wide in the sidewalk, driveway, garage floor, basement, or steps.

For this project you'll need a 10-ounce tube of latex, epoxy, or vinyl concrete patch; a caulking gun; a wire brush; and a wet rag.

Clean the crack of all debris — dirt, particles of concrete, or pebbles.

Clean the crack of all debris — dirt, particles of concrete, or pebbles.

Use a vacuum cleaner or soft brush after you’ve cleaned out larger particles with a wire brush.

Dry the crack thoroughly.

Dry the crack thoroughly.

If the crack is wet, let it dry or use a hair dryer.

Put the concrete patch tube in a caulking gun.

Put the concrete patch tube in a caulking gun.

You can put a tube of patching compound into a caulk gun.

Squeeze the patch into the crack

Squeeze the patch into the crack

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions when squeeze the patch into the crack.

If the crack is deep, fill the crack in layers. Give the product time to cure (dry) between applications.

Wipe excess patch off the crack with a wet rag.

Wipe excess patch off the crack with a wet rag.

You want the patch to finish with a smooth surface. Let the patch cure.

If you want to paint the concrete, you’ll need to wait about a month. It takes a long time for concrete patches to completely cure. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the optimum cure time.

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Gary and Peg Hedstrom are self-taught repair masters with experience in carpentry, plumbing, appliance repair, and more. Judy Ondrla Tremore is a writer and editor for various newspapers and magazines.

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