Patching cracks in driveway - minimum width? Re-occurrence?
#1
08-08-15, 11:17 AM
Patching cracks in driveway - minimum width? Re-occurrence?
Context: I am a new home owner of a 1995 house in Calgary, Canada. I've done some googling, but I could not find anyone who mentioned answers to my below questions
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Question 1: Do cracks need to be a certain width before repair? I have some cracks that range from medium-small to very-small and I am not sure if I should fix them now to do preventative maintenance or if I should wait until they are wider.
Question 2: If the cracks are caused by the natural expansion/contraction of concrete (especially in cold winter locations like Canada), is it likely that cracks will occur again after they are patched? Or are the cracks pretty "settled" after a certain point and shouldn't change much?
Pics:
Imgur
Imgur
Imgur
Question 1: Do cracks need to be a certain width before repair? I have some cracks that range from medium-small to very-small and I am not sure if I should fix them now to do preventative maintenance or if I should wait until they are wider.
Question 2: If the cracks are caused by the natural expansion/contraction of concrete (especially in cold winter locations like Canada), is it likely that cracks will occur again after they are patched? Or are the cracks pretty "settled" after a certain point and shouldn't change much?
#2
08-08-15, 01:57 PM
Member
Those tiny cracks are not worth fixing.
Any filler you try to use will make it look far worst.
Any filler you try to use will make it look far worst.
#3
08-08-15, 02:15 PM
Member
To add to Joe's comments and answer your #2 question. Yes they will continue to appear if try to patch. However, I would suggest some type of sealer over those cracks to help slow down the water/ice cycle with he coming winter. Something as minimal as Thompson's sealer will help. There are others that cost more and will do better. But nothing will stop the eventual erosion of those cracks. At which point regular patching will be necessary. And the look of concrete patch never bothered me as it does most people. To me it shows the owner cares.
#6
08-09-15, 12:47 PM
any crk or jnt that allows incompressibles to build up needs jnt/crk sealing,,, IF not, when the conc gets bigger in reaction to higher temps, whatever's in there will begin causing spalls,,, jnt/crk sealing is MUCH different than just spraying some silver bullet solution on the conc OR patching w/hydraulic or quik set cements ( neither of which are the correct mtls ),,, proper repair's sawing crack w/.375" dia blade to 1"deep following the crk - insert closed cell backer rod so its 1/2" below the pvmnt surface - make certain jnt/crk sidewalls are CLEAN - seal w/proper jnt/crk sealant - NOT caulk - which's sold in caulk tubes @ your local apron/vest store,,, we like sika 2sl better than any other stuff,,, do NOT fill to level of d/w as you need space so tires don't contact the sealant
better conc sealer will be found @ sher-wms under the H&C label but just treating just crks will change the conc's color compared to the rest of the work
better conc sealer will be found @ sher-wms under the H&C label but just treating just crks will change the conc's color compared to the rest of the work
#7
08-10-15, 05:30 AM
Member
Stadry, your reply is correct, but I question most people would want to go through that much work and trouble. Also as I just posted in another thread, our store stopped selling the H&C product line (even though we are a S&W via Dutch-Boy and P&L paint seller) due to either price point or lack of interest among clientele. Just a comment.
#8
08-15-15, 06:42 PM
norm, totally agree w/your post,,, you'd be surprised @ how often we see **** work for crk sealing,,, i've learned to keep my mouf shut 
as often the guy wanting a new d/w did the crks himself w/caulk gun &, of all things, caulk or h/o-diy'er conc sealer/mender/magic bullet 
usually what sells the most is what the neighbor just did
as often the guy wanting a new d/w did the crks himself w/caulk gun &, of all things, caulk or h/o-diy'er conc sealer/mender/magic bullet 
usually what sells the most is what the neighbor just did
