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Concrete Crack sealer

| Posted in Construction Techniques on March 3, 2002 10:38am

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Anyone have a favorite concrete crack sealer. I need to seal a concrete porch with cracks about 1/8″ to 3/16″ wide. It needs to remain flexible, as the porch is subject to weather (not freeze thaw, but sunny/cool). Perhaps something that is liquid that I can pour into the cracks?

Along the same lines, a brief search of the discussions revealed only one reccomendation for concrete sealer (for already cured concrete). Any favorites? I’ve read that the penetrating sealers do not penetrate much, except for siloxanes.

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Replies

  1. Cliff._Johnston | Mar 03, 2002 05:12am | #1

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    Andrew,

    I don't know of any sealer that will do the job for you that you want. We do decorative concrete resurfacing and use a semi-rigid epoxy most of the time for what you may be describing.

    Typically we use a diamond crack chasing blade to get a V-shaped profile, acid treat and high pressure wash the crack(s). Then we wait for it to dry and pour in the semi-rigid epoxy; however, we also imbed a mesh over top and cover it with other material. I gather that this is not the route that you want to go. Rather it sounds that you just want to "seal" the crack to close it as simply and as easily as possible and have some strength to bond the concrete at the same time. Sealers won't add any strength. Your cracks are large enough that you could clean them without opening them up and then CAREFULLY pour in a semi-rigid epoxy. The epoxy will flow in warm weather and fill the crack up. It can be done. You'd then have to use some type of sealer to "hide" the shiny epoxy line. That just might give you what you are looking for.

    Good luck,

    Cliff.

    1. calvin_ | Mar 03, 2002 08:30pm | #2

      *Sonneborn and several other caulk/sealant co.s offer a self-leveling urethane caulk (along with a stiffer caulk) that might be your answer. Used along with backer rod for wide cracks and colors offered, provides an acceptable finish that seals out the weather. If using the self leveling, seal all means of that stuff "leaking out". It will self level wherever it isn't contained. The regular Urethane caulk is a little hard to work with but it wont leave the area applied without permission. Tremco is another link to look up. You'll find these sealants at a concrete/masonry supply.

      1. Cliff._Johnston | Mar 03, 2002 10:38pm | #3

        *Andrew,We've used polyurethane calks as Calvin suggested; however, I've yet to come across one that doesn't look obvious when used on plain concrete. Sikaflex makes a self-leveling 2 part polyurethane calk that is excellent. We get it in a tint to match the finish that we are using on the concrete. Excellent product.Cliff.

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