Repairing Minor Cracks in Concrete Walks

When concrete is exposed to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, it can crack or spall (flake). Uneven settlement of the soil beneath the concrete is another cause of cracking. To repair a small cracked area of concrete, you need to remove the damage and patch it with a cement-based patching compound.

You can buy pre-mixed concrete patching compounds at most home centers and building-supply stores. Some are epoxy- or latex-enhanced, while others are merely premixed cement and sand. Patching compounds in a cartridge for use with a caulking gun can be particularly handy for patching narrow cracks. Other compounds are packaged for application with a putty knife. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for placement and curing.

1) Undercut the surrounding area
To make the concrete patch secure, use a cold chisel to undercut the surface on each side of the crack. (Fig. 1)