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How to Repair a Crack in a Cement Porch that is Pulling Away From the House

Concrete slabs are cost-effective, quick alternatives to other outdoor entertaining options, including wooden decks and patios. Unfortunately, overtime the home and concrete slabs begin to settle, causing the slab to pull away from the structure. Instead of tearing out the concrete slab and starting from scratch, repair this space without the need for expensive equipment or professional intervention. Perform this repair under the ideal environmental conditions to ensure your home improvement project is successful.

Things You'll Need

  • Hammer
  • Chisel
  • Wet/dry vac
  • Concrete bonding agent
  • Water
  • Quick-set concrete
  • Trowel
  • Rubber float
  • Concrete sealant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Break up any broken pieces of cement between the slab and home with a hammer and chisel. Remove these pieces and use a wet/dry vac to remove the majority of dust, dirt and debris from between the home and slab.

    • 2

      Cover the slab’s edge and the edge of the home with a thin layer of concrete bonding agent. The agent helps keep the new chunk of concrete in place, preventing future slippage. Allow the bonding agent to cure according to the package directions, which is generally less than 15 minutes, before continuing.

    • 3

      Create a mixture of water and quick-set concrete according to the package directions. Load the product onto a trowel and apply thin layers to the area between the home and slab, paying attention to load the product against the two surfaces. Continue to apply thin layers of the quick-set concrete until it’s flush with the existing slab.

    • 4

      Create a smooth finish on the concrete rubber float. Work the float over the moist concrete, allowing part of the product to touch the top of the slab, to create a smooth finished appearance.

    • 5

      Allow the concrete to cure according to the package directions, which takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours depending on the environmental conditions. Once the patch is dry to the touch, cover it with a thin layer of concrete sealant to prevent future water damage.