Home ownership comes with both benefits and responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to maintain the concrete or cement paved areas around your home. While undertaking the repair of cracks in concrete may seem daunting at first, the process of fixing concrete is fairly simple. It is best to perform the repairs as soon as you see cracks appear for a variety of reasons. The primary reason to repair quickly is that the task is easier while the cracks are still small. Safety is another reason to get started right away; homeowners are responsible for any injuries that occur on their property. And lastly, cracked concrete is simply unattractive and you want to protect the looks and value of your home.

Cracks in concrete can appear in driveways, patios, sidewalks, and even around the foundation of your home. There are many things that can cause cracks in these areas, including root growth and weather conditions; perhaps the most common cause of cracked concrete is standing water. When water does not drain properly, the water works down between a weakened section and creates a crack. Unless you solve the drainage problem, the cracking is likely to reoccur, but fixing the crack itself is not difficult for handy do-it-yourself types.

For small concrete cracks, 1/8" (3mm) or less:

• Use a screwdriver to chip away any flakes or loose concrete.
• Scour the crack with a wire brush to remove any dirt and debris.
• Rinse the cracked area using the garden hose.
• Mix up a small batch of concrete patching compound, available at most hardware stores. Adding a latex additive will allow for the natural expansion of concrete through cold and hot weather.
• Trowel the compound into the crack using a small putty knife.
• Smooth the surface while the compound is still moist; concrete compounds begin to set up very quickly.
• Allow the crack repair to dry thoroughly before walking or driving on the surface.

While the beginning steps are the same for repairing larger cracks as for small cracks, larger cracks in concrete require the use of a couple of more advanced techniques - caulking or sand packing.

For large cement cracks, ¼" (6mm) or more:

• Use a screwdriver to chip away any flakes or loose concrete.
• Scour the crack with a wire brush to remove any dirt and debris.
• Rinse the cracked area using a garden hose.
• If you choose to employ the caulking method, purchase siliconized latex concrete caulk from your local hardware store. Using a caulking gun, force the caulk deep into the crack along the length and breadth of the crack. The caulk will expand to fill the crack, and the nature of the substance will allow for expansion and contraction during weather extremes, cutting down on the frequency of future repairs. The caulking compound will self level so there is no need to smooth the surface, but for large cracks, multiple applications may be needed.
• If you choose to use the sand packing method, you will need to buy some sand and concrete patching compound, preferably with a latex additive for flexibility. Pour in a layer of sand to help fill the crack, and then apply the patching compound with a trowel. Smooth the surface quickly, and feather the new surface into the existing edges for a finished look.

For serious or exceptionally large concrete crack repairs, you may want to call in a professional, especially if the cracks are appearing around the foundation of your home. A professional can conduct a risk assessment survey to find out if there is structural damage that needs to be addressed.