How to Repair a Crack Around the Cement Porch of a House

Cement porches on homes provide years of support and resiliency for outdoor gatherings as well as decorative options for the area. However, even cement will begin to show the wears and tears of years of outdoor exposure and weathering, and a crack in the base or wall of the cement can lead to serious structural issues as rainwater seeps in and starts to degrade the cement from the inside out. You can patch these cracks with basic patching compound to keep your porch strong for many more years to come.

Wire brush
Wet/dry vacuum
Cement or concrete patching compound
Bucket
Paddle mixer
Mason's trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Scrub at the crack with a wire brush to remove loose cement as well as all dirt, dust and other contaminants. Vacuum out the crack with a wet/dry vacuum to remove all loose debris. The crack must be completely clean before you can patch it.
- 2
  Mix cement or concrete patching compound and water in a large bucket with a paddle mixer until the material takes on the consistency of thick pancake batter; you should be able to pour it out of the bucket, but it should retain its shape and not run or drip once it's on the surface.
- 3
  Spread a thin layer of the patching compound over the crack with a mason's trowel. Use the flat edge of the trowel to force the compound deep into the crack. Fill in thin layers, ensuring that the crack is completely filled before applying another layer. Continue until the crack is completely covered.
- 4
  Scrape the flat edge of the trowel over the surface of the patch to remove any excess patching compound, bringing the patch completely flush with the rest of the porch surface. Allow the patching compound to dry for at least 24 hours before exposing it to any moisture or stress.

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