Repairing Small Cracks In Basement Floor

Basic steps for repairing a basement floor crack.

Repairing small cracks in basement floor.

Seal the concrete patch and allow it to dry for several days. Pour concrete resurfacing mixture into the crack and smooth it out with a rubber floor squeegee. These types of cracks can show up as long as a year after the basement floor is poured depending on how quickly the slab dries and how humid the basement is. Add water to the resurfacer mix to get the consistency of pancake batter for the concrete crack filler.

It takes a long time for concrete patches to completely cure. If you find cracks in the concrete of your basement don t panic. Hairline cracks need no repair and are not indicative of a larger problem. Dap 37584 liquid cement crack filler this liquid cement or concrete crack filler is ideal for narrow cracks on the deck in the basement etc.

Let the patch cure. Small cracks in the basement floor commonly result from shrinkage as the concrete dries which pulls the concrete apart. To minimize stoppages repair small sections of the crack at a time 5 10 ft. As it dries the concrete begins to shrink.

The ergonomically designed filler easily reaches into narrow cracks and saturates the space created by the crack. Hairline cracks in the basement floor are superficial and don t require repair. Smooth the patch with a putty knife. You want the patch to finish with a smooth surface.

Be they straight jagged or spiderweb like fine cracks in the basement floor commonly result from surface shrinkage as. Fill the crack with sand in 2 3 minutes after priming while compound is still tacky. If the crack requires a second patch then wait for the first layer to dry before applying the second coat. Certain cracks may be the result of structural damage and might require the help of a professional engineer or foundation specialist.

Follow the manufacturer s instructions to determine the optimum cure time. Repairing a foundation crack in this width range is a simple diy project that involves filling the crack with caulk compatible with concrete such as ge s concrete and masonry silicone ii caulk. Although it may seem daunting repairing cracks in your basement floor is something you can do without going to the expense of hiring a professional. Or use up the whole cartridge.

Then fill the remainder of the groove and smooth it over. Hairline cracks don t require repair. These cracks are part of the natural drying process for concrete. For longer cracks recruit a helper to pour the sand help scrap or sand afterwards.

Feather the edges to get the best appearance. If you want to paint the concrete you ll need to wait about a month. Clean out the cellar floor crack with a vacuum remove any loose cement or aggregates.