Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Repairing Their Own Concrete
Posted on: 30 November 2017
Most residential properties are covered in several areas with concrete; this usually includes driveways and sidewalks as well as garage floors. You may have a patio area, carport or other such concrete surface on your own property as well. While concrete is very tough and durable, it does eventually crack or otherwise need repairs, and many homeowners then try to tackle these repairs on their own, with patching compound or freshly mixed concrete. While it is possible to make minor repairs yourself, note a few common mistakes that many homeowners make with such DIY work so you can avoid them yourself or know when to call a concrete repair contractor to handle this work instead.
Weather
Concrete takes some time to dry and cure, and it's important that your repaired area be protected from rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions after you make repairs and while the material is setting. Unless you're absolutely certain that it won't rain or even drizzle after repairs are made, and if your area is prone to morning dew, invest in a good tarp that you can put down over the repairs. Set some bricks or other items around the repaired area itself so the tarp doesn't actually make contact with the fresh concrete, and will just protect it from moisture and any inclement weather.
Dust
Concrete adheres to the surface on which it is applied, so if you don't thoroughly remove dust, dirt, moisture and other debris from the area being prepared, the new concrete will adhere to that debris, and not to the surface being prepared. Professional contractors will usually use a shop vacuum to actually vacuum out a crack or hole in the concrete. Doing so ensures a clean surface that is ready to properly hold the fresh concrete or patching material.
Not properly sealing the repaired area
Concrete needs regular sealant or a coating over it to keep it protected from excess moisture and humidity, heavy traffic, vibrations and the like. After a repair is made, you need to ensure that repaired area is properly sealed and coated, and you may even want to take the opportunity to buff out all the concrete on your property and add a fresh coat of sealant on all its surfaces. This will stop fresh cracks and damage from forming over that repaired area and can also stop other areas of the concrete from becoming cracked and damaged as well.
Share