How to Replace a Broken Concrete?
Various parts of your home are made of concrete, and as a result, it is easy to encounter issues with it. These are often unsightly and dangerous. While concrete is a durable material, it will show signs of wear with time. If you’ve had a concrete issue before, the process of fixing it can be a little tricky, but it’s definitely not impossible. In most cases, the repair will only be a matter of cleaning and replacing the broken pieces.
If you’ve noticed a cracked area in your concrete, you’ll need to repair it as soon as possible. The first step in repairing a cracked area is scrubbing the area with a wet sponge. After you’ve done this, you’ll need to apply a patch mix, which should be slightly higher than the old one. The next step is sawing off the concrete. This will create a dust cloud that’s impressive to watch.
While it’s easy to replace small pieces of concrete, larger jobs may require reforming. A broken area must be removed down to the gravel fill. For larger repairs, you can add a layer of gravel base. Make sure the form boards are level with the surface of the adjacent concrete. After the new concrete surface is installed, stakes should be placed every four feet. Afterward, cut off the form boards to the right level.
The next step is repairing the concrete with a patch. You can use a patching compound or a mortar mix. If the crack is less than one eighth-inch wide, you should use a corundum masonry blade. These types of tools grind and cut the concrete with a 5-degree angle, which helps lock in the patch. However, if you want to repair a large crack, you should use a grout, since this isn’t a permanent fix.
After preparing the surface, you can start the repair. To level the old concrete, you can use a straight board. It’s important to level the area, and use a flat board when working on the patch. Afterward, you should apply a concrete-patching material to the damaged area. Once the patch is dry, you can apply it to the remaining parts of the surface. Then, it’s time to clean the concrete.
After cleaning the concrete, you can then install the concrete-lifting system. It will work to lift the sunken portion and fill the void. A ledge will help the patch to bond with the old concrete. Then, you can apply a sealant, which is another type of coating for the damaged area. WD-40 will prevent the concrete from drying out too quickly. Using a brush, you can also use a wire brush to smooth the surface of the slab.