Calling all would-be mason and concrete experts

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
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after having some foudnation work done and the cement mixer leaving I noticed that they put some cracks in one of the section sof our concrete driveway. 3 cracks, splitting it into 3 triangles.

It's a new(er) driveway < 5yrs old and I'd like to keep it as nice as possible. Being that I'm in WI, and freeze/thaw is a b!tch around here, am I safe to assume that they make some simple filler/sealer for such cracks?

 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
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filler/sealer, for a concrete driveway?

meh, it was because your driveway wasnt thick enough. it will happen over time as the foundation settles anyways.

theres a reason my driveay is between 4 and 6" thick :D
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
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Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
filler/sealer, for a concrete driveway?

meh, it was because your driveway wasnt thick enough. it will happen over time as the foundation settles anyways.

theres a reason my driveay is between 4 and 6" thick :D

6" pour thank you with rebar of course.
its becuase it was a full size cement mixer, on the start of an incline id guess.
and I realize it will "happen over time" but ht epoint being if I can prevent or slow down, why wouldn't I? Hell you'll die eventually why fight it?
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
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Originally posted by: FoBoT
crack patch , that is what you want

go to lowes/home despot and get some crack patch


as mature as I try to be... that made me giggle.
figured they had something out there. Is it just like a caulk? these cracks are hairline, but complete. Or is it thinner than a caulk that would actually penetrate into that crack?
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
Originally posted by: Homerboy
Originally posted by: FoBoT
crack patch , that is what you want

go to lowes/home despot and get some crack patch


as mature as I try to be... that made me giggle.
figured they had something out there. Is it just like a caulk? these cracks are hairline, but complete. Or is it thinner than a caulk that would actually penetrate into that crack?

hey now, you gotta be careful , don't want to mix your caulk with your crack patch, that is just baaaaaaaaad juju
and if your caulk is penetrating your crack, well, let's just not go there :eek:
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,308
14,717
146
If they're just hairline cracks, all you can do is live with them. Until a crack gets to be big enough to stand a dime up in, no caulk/crack filling agent is going to penetrate enough to do anything.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
Originally posted by: BoomerD
If they're just hairline cracks, all you can do is live with them. Until a crack gets to be big enough to stand a dime up in, no caulk/crack filling agent is going to penetrate enough to do anything.

so thicker caulk wouldn't be able to penetrate the crack? what if it was some kind of high pressure caulk?
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
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Originally posted by: BoomerD
If they're just hairline cracks, all you can do is live with them. Until a crack gets to be big enough to stand a dime up in, no caulk/crack filling agent is going to penetrate enough to do anything.


Well I'll give it a winter. By Spring those gems will be dime wide easy.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
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"Small cracks and fractures 1/8" to ½" wide are often difficult to patch using cement-based products."

I'm not there yet. As I said, I guess I'll give it a winter then patch it
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,308
14,717
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From the last link:
"Concrete work is expensive, and when a concrete sidewalk or concrete driveway is poured, no one expects a crack to form. If expansion joints or control joints aren?t properly constructed, or if the ground isn?t properly compacted before the concrete is poured, the concrete might eventually fail. If a crack develops in concrete, even the smallest crack will generally continue to expand until the concrete sidewalk or driveway becomes a cracked and broken mess. Besides making a home appear neglected, cracks in concrete often cause that concrete to eventually buckle and heave, making it dangerous for passers by to walk upon.
Although cracks in concrete can?t be made completely invisible, cracks can be repaired and made to look better. Anyone can repair cracks in concrete. It doesn?t take a professional to repair a simple crack and improve the appearance of a concrete driveway or sidewalk.

Hairline Crack Repair

It?s obviously best to patch a hairline concrete crack when it is first noticed. Patching a hairline crack in concrete can help prevent that crack from expanding into a much larger crack. Concrete sealer can be used to fill a hairline crack. Concrete sealer is available at most larger home improvement stores, and it is well worth the cost of preventing a much larger problem further down the road.


Large Crack Preparation

A hairline crack that isn?t repaired right away often turns into a larger crack when winter weather arrives. Freezing water settles into the crack causing it to expand. Those with slightly cracked concrete sidewalks and driveways sometimes notice the crack expanding in the winter. That?s why it?s important to take care of hairline cracks as soon as possible.