Since concrete cracks are inevitable, it is important to know more about concrete crack repair. These are caused by different factors such as water, earthquakes, frost heaves, tree roots, weak seams placement and too much water in the cement mix. Make sure to deal with the damage immediately in order to prevent further cracks. If they become too big or too many, you may need to replace the whole area.
Low-pressure injection
This type of repair is only appropriate for poured concrete walls. It can fill the entire depth of the crack permanently in order to prevent water. Any homeowner can easily do this repair because there is no drilling involved. All you have to do is to glue the injection ports on the crack.
Polyurethane injection
If you are dealing with non-structural cracks, this repair is the best choice. While polyurethane injection doesn’t provide additional strength to the structure of the house, it adds a kind of barrier that withstands water leaks. The good thing about this repair is that it stays flexible, which allows the constant movement of the concrete because of thermal expansion, shrinkage or setting. Polyurethane injection adheres to wet or dry concrete and it can also be used in repairing leaking or wet cracks. In addition, it powerfully expands, which ensures that the entire length and depth of the crack is packed.
Epoxy injection
Aside from stopping water, epoxy injection can also provide additional strength to the structure of the house. It seals the crack and bonds the concrete. The great point about this method of repair is that its power and connection with the concrete actually beat the concrete’s strength and avoids further yawning and elongation of the cracks. However, it is essential to note that the primary cause of the cracks is not eliminated and so new cracks may still develop after the repair. Epoxy injection only sticks to dry surfaces so this is not an ideal method for repairing wet or leaking cracks. In addition, it cures gradually and doesn’t expand so if you are working with hairline cracks, it is recommended to use the low-viscosity type while thick epoxy is needed for wide cracks.
Surface sealers
There are injection DIY kits that you can purchase at the home improvement shop. These kits have port adhesive and epoxy sealer. Professional epoxy needs around thirty to sixty minutes to cure while these crack injection kits require three to four hours to cure. With these DIY kits, the epoxy remains on the surface, which can affect the appearance of the concrete.
What to avoid in concrete crack repair
Many people may be tempted to use hydraulic cement or caulk in order to repair the cracks. However, these types of repair are only superficial. Caulk will still let water to seep and this will result in efflorescence and the caulk will eventually peel off. On the other hand, hydraulic cement is not very effective and also leads to efflorescence and in the end, the cement plug will be displaced due to the water leakage.