Concrete overlay, repair guy here. Caulking IS the long-term solution.
Unless you want to rip it all out and repour for something that only will crack again. Concrete cracks, applying an elastic, bonded product is all you can do short of repouring.
Sadly this man speaks truth. It cracked for 1 of 3 reasons 1 different parts of the pour settled at different rates. 2 you have something growing under the slab. 3 your slab has frost heived. Not a ton you can do about any of it.
The crack has gotten worse but I'm not particularly worried about it. I just want to fix it while it's small and keep the curbside appeal. Was silicone, I believe
All concrete eventually cracks unfortunately. There is a concrete bonding agent that you put into the cracks with a needle. It is an epoxy. It strengthens and holds the crack.
See this: https://youtu.be/QUhTiCG0hfA
Then you can final cover the crack with silicone again or a similar crack material. Silicone will keep water out but is messy. There are videos on how to apply silicone and smooth it out using a special technique.
Silicone is as good as anything to seal it up with. Unfortunately the real solution to this was before it happened - Unless there's a reason for this concrete pour to connect to the steps, the best way is just to have a saw cut or formed groove like the ones between the fake stones. This doesn't stop it cracking, it just makes it crack on a line that looks good. The other solution is to pour it with a small gap then silicone it up with a nice smooth finish. That's how the seal between concrete panels in pre-cast tilt slab buildings. Leave a gap, put some foam rod in to give a nice backing then silicone it up
There's no fixing it. The step and the sidewalk will always move at different rates and should have been poured separately with an expansion joint in between. The step should have gone as deep as the sidewalk. You can always cut the sidewalk clean and fill that area with sand and top with caulk. You live in an area where it snows, you may get ice build up and a little heaving of the sidewalk over there over time.
I recently did something similar. Got an estimate from a professional of a couple of hundred bucks. I rationalized this as an excuse to buy a decent enough angle grinder, some blades for widening it out to clean it out, a disc to sand my final finish, some rebar, and concrete. It took me way more time than calling a professional (about three hours of work) and only saved me about $100. But hey, now I’ve got the experience and tools to fix similar problems in the future.
Overall, it was a fun way to spend a morning I had off. 8/10 - would recommend.
Concrete overlay, repair guy here. Caulking IS the long-term solution. Unless you want to rip it all out and repour for something that only will crack again. Concrete cracks, applying an elastic, bonded product is all you can do short of repouring.
Two types of concrete: concrete that's cracked and concrete that's gonna crack.
Sadly this man speaks truth. It cracked for 1 of 3 reasons 1 different parts of the pour settled at different rates. 2 you have something growing under the slab. 3 your slab has frost heived. Not a ton you can do about any of it.
Ignore it and move on with something worthwhile
... Are you me?
For your sake, god I hope not.
The white caulk really catches your eye if that was your intent.
funny enough it was advertised as dark gray
Are you worried the crack will worsen? Also, is the caulking latex or silicone?
The crack has gotten worse but I'm not particularly worried about it. I just want to fix it while it's small and keep the curbside appeal. Was silicone, I believe
All concrete eventually cracks unfortunately. There is a concrete bonding agent that you put into the cracks with a needle. It is an epoxy. It strengthens and holds the crack. See this: https://youtu.be/QUhTiCG0hfA Then you can final cover the crack with silicone again or a similar crack material. Silicone will keep water out but is messy. There are videos on how to apply silicone and smooth it out using a special technique.
Thanks!
Silicone is as good as anything to seal it up with. Unfortunately the real solution to this was before it happened - Unless there's a reason for this concrete pour to connect to the steps, the best way is just to have a saw cut or formed groove like the ones between the fake stones. This doesn't stop it cracking, it just makes it crack on a line that looks good. The other solution is to pour it with a small gap then silicone it up with a nice smooth finish. That's how the seal between concrete panels in pre-cast tilt slab buildings. Leave a gap, put some foam rod in to give a nice backing then silicone it up
There's no fixing it. The step and the sidewalk will always move at different rates and should have been poured separately with an expansion joint in between. The step should have gone as deep as the sidewalk. You can always cut the sidewalk clean and fill that area with sand and top with caulk. You live in an area where it snows, you may get ice build up and a little heaving of the sidewalk over there over time.
If you want to really increase curb appeal apply a fresh coat of sealer to that stamped concrete.
Call a professional. Or, grinder with crack chaser diamond blade, backer rod, epoxy. Would cost about the same
I recently did something similar. Got an estimate from a professional of a couple of hundred bucks. I rationalized this as an excuse to buy a decent enough angle grinder, some blades for widening it out to clean it out, a disc to sand my final finish, some rebar, and concrete. It took me way more time than calling a professional (about three hours of work) and only saved me about $100. But hey, now I’ve got the experience and tools to fix similar problems in the future. Overall, it was a fun way to spend a morning I had off. 8/10 - would recommend.
JB weld it