It is important to fix concrete cracking and spalling as soon as you notice it because concrete deterioration is guaranteed to worsen over time. Waiting too long to address these probelms could mean the difference between an inexpensive repair and costly reconstruction.

Here’s how to repair concrete cracking and spalling yourself:

1. Remove dirt or debris from the area with a broom, garden hose or pressure washer.
2. Make a “tack coat,” to help the new material bond to the old, by mixing a little concrete powder into a bucket of water, making a soupy consistency.
3. Place the tack coat in the cracked/spalled area.
4. Add additional concrete powder to the mix to increase the consistency (follow manufacturer’s instructions).
5. Add this thicker material to the damaged area using a trowel.
6. Scrape off the excess product.
7. Blend the material to the existing concrete with a paint brush.
8. Allow to dry.

This quick repair should keep surface deterioration from worsening, but you should call a concrete contractor for more severe cracking and spalling. If water is allowed into the voids in the concrete, it will eventually seep into the base course and cause your pavement to sink. As with most pavement issues, addressing cracking and spalling early on will be easier and more cost effective than waiting for the problem to worsen.