Cracks in your concrete foundation are bound to happen no matter how well the concrete is poured, how thick it is, and what product was used. Even the biggest slab of concrete is no match for mother nature. Shifting soil and moving tree roots can cause your entire foundation slab to crack all the way through. However, most cracks are just on the surface and they are cosmetic in nature. That is, they look bad, but they don't compromise your foundation integrity.  Luckily, this means they are very easy to repair. This article explains how to patch cracks in concrete foundation, and what products tend to work best.

Using Concrete Crack Filler, Not Concrete

It is vital that you use the right type of concrete for this job. You don't want to use traditional ready-mix concrete to fill in tiny cracks. Some people think that since they have the original concrete that was used to pour the foundation, that it will be the best product for filling the cracks. However, you want to use a designated crack filler. Concrete crack filler is much more than just concrete. It is pre-mixed with glues that fortify the mixture and make it stickier. This means that it will hold in even the tiniest, thinnest cracks. It is also much more liquidy allowing you to penetrate deeper into a crack.

How to Apply the Filler

If you have ever patched asphalt, the process for fixing a concrete cracks a little bit different. Most importantly, you just want to fill in the crack. You don't want to spread the crack filler on to the top of the concrete like you do when you patch asphalt. Because of this, caulk tubes are usually the most convenient. They allow you to fill in the crack without getting patch all over the top of the concrete. You'll need a putty knife (plastic or metal) to scrape the top of the patch and remove any excess that comes up on the concrete surface.

Once the patch dries, some people will sand it to help it blend in with the existing concrete. Concrete patch is bound to be a little less smooth than polished concrete, so sanding can be worthwhile. If your concrete isn't polished, you probably won't need to sand it.

With patched foundation cracks, your slab will look cleaner and newer. Patched cracks are also stronger and less likely to grow or crack any further. To learn more, contact a paving company like Imperial Paving.