Small Driveway Cracks Could Cost You Thousands Later—Fix Them in Minutes

Mother Nature can do a real number on your garage, which is why it can be helpful to coat and seal the floor and winterize your garage. Your concrete driveway, walks, and stairs can also really take a hit. Over time, snow, ice, rain, and changing temperatures can cause cracks to spiderweb through your driveway and the surface to flake and crumble. Fortunately, patching concrete isn’t a difficult job nor does it require any special tools. As long as you follow the right procedures, you can make lasting repairs to your concrete driveway yourself, and save money in the process. Ahead, we cover all you need to know about concrete patching. 

How to Fix Cracks in Concrete

Prep the Concrete

The key to completing a concrete driveway repair or concrete step repair that lasts is prepping the surface. Proper preparation creates a strong adhesion between the old and new concrete.

• Step 1: Start by cleaning the surface. Sweep away any dirt and debris using a broom. Get rid of any loose concrete that’s flaking away, using an angle grinder, wire brush, or hammer and chisel.
  
• Step 2: If there is embedded oil or grime, scrub the area with mild dish soap and water using a stiff bristle brush. We recommend using a pressure washer to clean the concrete if you have one. After you're done cleaning, rinse the area with clean water. 

Choose the Concrete Patch

You have two options when it comes to choosing the type of concrete patch for fixing your driveway: concrete vinyl patch, which you mix and apply with a trowel, and caulk-style patch, which you apply with a caulk gun. Caulk-style patch is easy to apply and requires no mixing, making it convenient for small hairline cracks and gaps. Vinyl concrete patch requires mixing and a trowel, but it creates a more durable repair. It also works better than caulk-style patch for spalled areas of concrete and filling wider and deeper gaps. 

Option A: Repair the Concrete with a Vinyl Concrete Patching Compound

• Step 1: Mix the Concrete Patch according to the product’s instructions. It should have the consistency of peanut butter or oatmeal. If you’re making a vertical repair, such as the riser on a set of concrete stairs, make the mix a bit thicker by adding less water. 

• Step 2: Apply a bonding agent to the cleaned and prepped concrete surface. Don’t skip this step as the bonding agent will ensure good adhesion between the new concrete and the old, ensuring the repair will last for a long time.
  
• Step 3: While the bonding agent is still tacky, apply the concrete patch to the repair. Use a trowel to push the concrete into the damaged area. If you’re making a repair that’s greater than a 1/4-inch wide, insert a foam backer first to help fill the crack.
  
• Step 4: Use a trowel to smooth the repair so that it’s flush with the surrounding concrete. If your driveway is textured, use a brush to help match the repair to the driveway surface.
  
• Step 5:  Let the patch cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions before exposing it to vehicle or foot traffic. Be patient as the patch won’t reach full strength until it has fully cured. 

Option B: Repair the Concrete with a Caulk-style Filler

• Step 1: Cut the tip of the concrete filler cartridge at a 45 degree angle and load it into a caulk gun. 

• Step 2: Place the tip of the caulk inside the crack. Applying steady pressure to the trigger to create an even continuous bead of caulk along the entire crack.
  
• Step 3: Allow the caulk to cure, about 24 hours, before exposing it to traffic. 

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What’s the best thing to patch concrete with?

When making repairs to concrete, use a caulk style concrete patch for thin hairline cracks. If you’re making repairs to wider cracks or horizontal cracks on a stairway, use a vinyl concrete patch. 

Can new concrete bond to old concrete? 

New concrete can bond to old concrete, but preparation is key. Clear the area of debris and clean it thoroughly then add a concrete binding agent to the repair just before patching it. This will ensure good adhesion between the new and old concrete.  

Is Quickrete good for patching concrete?

Quickrete is a great option for repairing concrete. The manufacturer offers a variety of different products to suit different types of repair. Quickrete’s products also have clear instructions and are easy to apply, making them ideal for DIY concrete repairs.