How to Repair Your Sidewalk
If you have a sidewalk on your property, odds are you’re going to have to repair it at some point. Concrete is a durable versatile material, but there are many factors that can lead to a damaged sidewalk. Roots can crack pieces and push them out of alignment, cold temperatures and ice can lead to damage, and normal wear and tear can create dangerous situations or unsightly problems. With a little know-how and some standard tools, however, this is a project you can do yourself. Learn how to repair your sidewalk in this Lowe’s video:
Concrete is a composite material that’s made from a few different elements and is held together by liquid cement binder. This means that getting the right mix of water and concrete is key to the right strength and drying time. Check your package instructions, but generally you’re looking to create a peanut butter consistency. Concrete works best between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit when there is no rain.
There are different types of concrete including water-resistant, fast-set, high-strength, reinforced with fiberglass and countertop style. Make sure you choose the type that is recommended for your project.
Crack Repair
There are two levels of sidewalk crack you might see, a hairline crack or a wider crack.
For a hairline crack, remove any loose debris from the damaged area with a wire brush and broom. Use a caulk gun loaded with a masonry crack filler to fill the crack, or you can use a vinyl concrete patching agent and a putty knife to fill it in.
For a wider crack, you will need to use a small sledgehammer and a chisel. You want to make the bottom of the crack wider than the top; this sounds tricky, but it just means angling the chisel. This will lock the patch in place and keep it from moving. Clean the debris with a wire brush and broom. Wet the area, then fill the crack with a vinyl patching mix and a trowel.
Edge Damage
If your sidewalk has crumbling edges and missing corners, and it’s just a localized problem, you can fix it.
Clean out all the debris with a wire brush and broom, and chisel out until you have strong concrete on all sides. If this piece will see a lot of traffic or weight like a concrete step, then you’ll want to drill out a hole with a masonry bit. Take a piece of a rebar rod, coat it with a latex bonding product and insert it into the hole halfway. Apply the same bonding product to the broken edges of the sidewalk, making sure to get into all of the crevices.
Mix up your concrete patch with water and add some of the bonding product to the mix. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for specific amounts. Use scrap wood to create a form for the concrete to shape to. Put your mixture into the form with a trowel. Tamp it down and smooth out the top. You can use a broom to lightly score the top for texture.
Leave the boards in place for a week until it dries, and then you’ll be good to go.
Section Replacement
When a piece of your sidewalk is too damaged to use, it can be best to just rip it out and start over.
Remove the existing sidewalk piece; once gone, clear any rocks or debris from under the spot where you will put the new slag. Dig around the edges to create a perimeter, then it’s time to build a form.
You want the top edge of the form to be even with the existing sidewalk so it all sits flush. Use stakes or scrap wood to hold your form in place. Place the stakes evenly to prevent the form from bowing outward. Make sure the stakes sit below the top edge of the form, or else cut them flush. Spray the inside of the form with oil, like a non-stick cooking spray, for a clean release.
Put a couple of inches of sand in the form and wet it down. Mix your concrete and pour it into place, making sure to get into all the corners.
Use a long board to flatten the concrete (this is called screeding). Move it slowly from one end to the other with a short sawing motion. Add concrete to any low spots as you go. Then lightly smooth the surface, but be careful not to dig the float corner in or you will have to re-screed. Let the concrete dry for 30 minutes, then use a broom to create a non-slip texture.
Lightly place some plastic on top and let it dry for several days. Remove the plastic and let it dry for several more days. Then you can remove the forms and replace the dirt around the edges.
