Concrete Floor/Drywall/Sidewalk Crack Repair
Asphalt (Blacktop)
Caulking - What Type To Use
Repair vinyl floors
CONCRETE FLOOR/DRYWALL/SIDEWALK CRACK REPAIR
Concrete repair is important to do before the rainy season starts.
Why? Because water seeps in and over time will cause the concrete cracks
to get larger. Before you know it, it will be a very big problem. Next
thing you know, you will have to re-pour your entire driveway or sidewalk
and this is extremely costly.
PREPARATION
- Clean the crack by removing all loose dirt, bits or chunks of concrete
with an awl and hammer. Chisel and chip loose concrete away (don’t
forget your safety glasses for eye protection).
- Use a stiff brush to clean all dirt and small pieces of concrete
before starting the patching process (you can also use a shop vacuum
to clean up).
- Then spray the crack with a garden hose using a spray attachment
to remove any remaining debris. It is important to clean the crack
well so that the patching material will adhere to it.
- If there is oil in the crack, use a grease-cutting cleanser to scrub
it out then rinse well. If you don’t remove oil, the concrete
filler may not set up properly. Allow all surfaces to dry before continuing
with the patching process.
PROCESS
Cracks that are less than ¼" are generally
filled with sealants that come in a caulk gun tube. If you are using
filler from a caulk container or tube, squeeze the filler into the crack
until it begins to overflow. Then smooth it out using a metal trowel
or plastic scraper. Allow the filler to cure overnight. It may be necessary
to repeat this process to ensure that you are filling the crack completely.
When patch is dry brush, it down to matches the adjacent surface.
Cracks that are between ¼" and ½" are
generally filled with premixed mortar or sealants that comes in a can
or plastic jug. Shake or stir the product well before using. According
to directions on the product, squeeze the filler into the crack until
it begins to overflow. Then smooth it out using a metal trowel or plastic
scraper. It may be necessary to repeat this process to ensure that you
are filling the crack completely.
Cracks that are larger than 1/2" must be filled
with premixed concrete which comes is bags weighing 60 lbs or 90 lbs.
Mix your material as the manufacturer recommends, and pour this material
into the crack. Use a trowel to work the concrete mixture into the crack.
Smooth the concrete patch excess out. Remember: even if it doesn’t
look picture perfect, repairing cracks before they get out of hand and
costly is the way to go (several thousand to re-pour a driveway).
CURING THE REPAIR
Allow the repaired areas to dry completely - this may take several days. Why? A
slow cure will result in stronger concrete. Make sure to keep it moist
by lightly misting the area with a garden hose and keeping it covered with
a plastic sheet. When the concrete has cured, apply a water seal with either
a roller or a sprayer.
ASPHALT (Blacktop)
On asphalt driveways, use asphalt patching material. Cracks in asphalt
less than 1/2" can be filled with products made especially for the
purpose. Fillers may come in cans or caulk-type dispensers. Use the appropriate
product for the appropriate for cracks of different sizes. You may need
one filler for cracks up to 1/4" and another for cracks up to 1/2". Always
follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the sealer you choose.
Cracks in asphalt that are 1/2" and wider should be filled with
asphalt cold-patch. This material is available in bags and cans. Pour
it in the patch and use a trowel or plastic scraper to pack it in.
Asphalt Tips
- Seal every two or three years. Coating too often results in a slick
surface.
- Seal when the temperature is over 50 degrees Fahrenheit and consistent
- Allow 24 hours before using your newly-coated driveway even though
it may feel dry
- Always follow the manufacturer's directions on the product container.
- Do not seal when rain is expected within 36 hours.
- Do not seal brand new asphalt. The driveway must cure for 6 months
in warm temperatures before sealing.
- Do not apply driveway sealer to concrete.
- Do not apply a thick coating. It will dry too slowly and can lead
to "mud-cracking," a condition that looks like sun-cracked
mud on the surface of the driveway.
CAULKING – WHAT TYPE TO USE
Bottom Line
Use GE Silicone
II if it's in the tub or shower, or if it doesn't need to be painted.
Use DAP DYNAFLEX 230 if
it has to be painted.
Silicone performs best overall.
It lasts longest and holds up best, but harder to apply (a little messy)
and isn't paintable. Silicone "Tub and Tile" caulk
has a mildewcide -- use in areas that get wet, but don't use it in
area where it will contact food or drinking water. There are
other versions without the mildewcide for these applications.
Elastomeric latex sealant
(caulk) comes next in durability and is paintable.
Latex, silicone/latex (siliconized)
and acrylic is next, but there's a lot of variation in quality
within and between brands.
Latex is easiest to apply
and cleanup
Silicone is essential to
seal around bathtubs, showers, lavatories, etc. There's a special bathroom
formulation for this that has a mildewcide. This poison has been known
to be hazardous if used inside dishwashers because the high heat outgasses
the poison onto the dishes and is then eaten.
Tips for Storing Caulk
Tip 1: Cold
caulk can get stiff and hard to squeeze out of the tube. If it's
cold, put the tube it in a pan of warm water for 20 minutes or so.
Tip 2: Ways
to reseal partially used caulk tubes.
Use a large wirenut (used
to connect electric wiring) to cap the tip if you will be using it
again within a month. Gray wirenuts are about the right size. For
longer term storage use a piece of plastic (Saran Wrap or plastic bag
type) over the tip, held in place with masking tape or a rubber band. Squirt
a little caulk into this sock covering the tip -- it will harden first,
helping seal the caulk in the tube.
Be careful in using nails
to seal caulk. If you do, use a rust proof screw, otherwise,
you will have to pump out a lot of caulk to get rid of the rust.
Repair vinyl floors
If you have a worn vinyl floor, try these fixes before resorting to replacement.
- Floor curls at seams: First, cover the seam with a few layers of
paper towels and press with an iron on a medium setting, taking
care not to let the iron directly contact the floor. Weight the
spot after removing the heat, and see if that renews the adhesive
bond. If that doesn't work, get some flooring adhesive, a weight
and a heat lamp or hair dryer. Warm the curled part of the
flooring until it flexes without breaking. Glue it into place, and
place the weight over the spot to hold the curled edge down until
the glue can dry.
- Gouges in floor: Use the above method if the vinyl has been torn
and a flap remains that you can glue down. If a chunk of vinyl is
actually missing, and you have extra, cut the gouge out and patch.
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