Repairing Surface Cracks In New Concrete

Plastic shrinkage cracks are typically very narrow in width and barely visible.

Repairing surface cracks in new concrete.

As long as the rest of your driveway is sound no heaving sinking or crumbling you can replace those tiny cracks with a smooth concrete surface by applying a high quality resurfacing product. Brush the surface of the patching compound with a dry paintbrush to texture the surface if desired. While nearly invisible it is important to remember that plastic shrinkage cracks don t just exist on the surface they extend throughout the. Cracks that occur before hardening usually are the result of set tlement within the concrete mass or shrinkage of the surface plastic shrinkage cracks caused by rapid loss of water while the concrete is still plastic fig.

Put the mix or compound in a large bucket and add water as directed on the label. Smooth the surface of the patch with the trowel feathering the compound into the surrounding concrete. If you have a lot of cracks you may prefer to use dry concrete mix or concrete patching compound instead. Since concrete cannot shrink around a corner stress will cause the concrete to crack from the point of that corner.

For big or deep cracks use a concrete mix or patching compound that contains gravel. Let the compound cure as directed.