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How to Gravel an Existing Cracked Concrete Driveway

Cracks in a concrete driveway will continue to grow and threaten the stability of the entire driveway foundation until they are repaired. Due to the heavy loads driveways are exposed to daily, the patched areas must be filled with material strong enough to support this pressure. Adding gravel to patching mix increases the strength of the area and helps prevent the damage from recurring.

Things You'll Need

  • Cold chisel
  • Hammer
  • Brush
  • Gloves
  • Concrete adhesive
  • Paintbrush
  • Cement
  • Sand
  • Gravel
  • Hose
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Trowel
  • Breathable cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Position a cold chisel along the edges of the crack and hit the end with a hammer to widen and undercut the crack. When you're finished, the bottom will be wider than the top to anchor the patching material in place.

    • 2

      Use a brush and gloved hand to remove loose debris from the crack.

    • 3

      Brush concrete adhesive over the inside of the expanded crack with a paintbrush and wait until the mixture feels tacky to the touch.

    • 4

      Mix 1 part cement with 2 parts sand and 3 parts gravel in a wheelbarrow. Add small doses of water and stir until the mixture has a peanut butter-like consistency.

    • 5

      Scoop the gravel mix into the crack with a trowel. Shift it around to fill in the entire expanse. Tamp it down between each layer and smooth the top so it is level with the rest of the driveway.

    • 6

      Cover the patch with a breathable cloth and spray it with water several times over the next few days. Providing continual moisture prevents the patch from drying too fast and becoming brittle. Do not allow foot or vehicle traffic over the patch for a week so the concrete can cure correctly.