The surface around my in-ground swimming pool was always slippery when it was wet. I decided last year after watching my three year old son slip and fall for the last time that I was going to have a contractor come out and resurface the area around the pool. I have spent the last several months looking into the different concrete finishing techniques that will not only provide a safe, non-slip surface, but that would also look really nice around the pool. To find out what options you have to create a non-slip beautiful surface around your pool, visit my site.
If you have cracks on your cement porch or sidewalk, you want to repair them as soon as you can. Leaving the cracks will allow them to become bigger, posing a tripping hazard. Also, ants like to travel in the cracks. This could lead to them digging tunnels directly under the surrounding cement, causing it to become weaker and more susceptible to further damage. Water can also cause the cement to weaken by seeping through the cracks and going underneath the rest of the cement, softening the underlying dirt. Repairing cracks in cement is easy to do, and you can learn how in this article.
How to repair small cracks in the concrete
Before you repair the crack, it's important for you to remove any and all dirt and other debris from the crack. A thin and stiff wire brush works well for this. Start at one end of the crack and work your way to the other end. Pull out any weeds before you work on cleaning the crack with the wire brush.
Purchase a tube of crack filler and a putty knife at the local hardware store. You won't need to worry about a caulking gun to repair a few small cracks. Squeeze the crack filler in the crack. Once again, start at one side and work your way to the other. Use the putty knife to flatten the filler. If it sinks, add more and go over it again with the putty knife. Make sure you get as much in the crack as necessary to fill it completely. Do not walk on the crack or allow it to get wet for a day or so to ensure it is completely dry.
How to repair large cracks in the concrete
Larger cracks can take a bit more preparation to repair. Take a hammer and chisel inside the crack to widen the bottom portion. Once you have the inside of the crack larger than the surface crack, clean it using the same method detailed above.
To repair the crack, mix a patching compound and water according to the mixing instructions on the label. Use a large putty knife to scoop the compound into the crack, starting at one end and moving to the other. When you put the compound in the crack, tap it in to remove air bubbles. Use the putty knife to level the compound and add more if needed to bring it flush to the rest of the concrete. Allow it to set and dry a couple of days before walking on it or getting it wet.
When you find cracks it's always better to fix them right away. This will keep your yard looking better and allow you to repair the cracks with less money and effort. If the cracks need professional help, contact a company like S&W Concrete.
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