Repair your basement floor before problems occur.
Cracks in a basement floor usually occur due to the house settling. As the home begins to shift slightly, the immense pressure will cause concrete to crack. Fixing hairline cracks on a basement floor is an easy task, while larger cracks require a little more work in order to patch properly. Seek professional assistance if a large amount of water floods the basement areas of your home. Standing water in a basement can pose dangerous situations with mold growth, electrical wiring mishaps and pest infestations. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Clean the crack thoroughly and make sure all dirt and debris are removed from the area. Any oily residue needs cleaned off in order for the concrete filler to adhere properly to the surface.
2. Use a chisel and hammer to knock away any broken or loose concrete pieces and dispose of the debris appropriately. Hold the chisel at a 45-degree angle while pounding it with a hammer down the entire course of a large crack. Doing this with the chisel down the crack will allow the concrete filler to bond better when applied.
3. Cut off the tip of the concrete filler tube at a 45-degree angle and begin to fill the crack with the product. Take your time to ensure that you filled every crevice with the concrete filler. Allow the filler to set for a couple minutes before moving on to the next step.
4. Use the trowel to smooth the crack line so it is even with the rest of the floor. Let the concrete filler dry for several hours. Apply more filler to areas that have sunken in during the curing process and re-trowel the crack as necessary.
5. Apply polyurethane sealant with a paintbrush to cover the crack area after the concrete filler has had the chance to completely dry. Allow the first coat of polyurethane sealant to dry before applying a couple more coats to the crack area.
Tags: concrete filler, basement floor, 45-degree angle, crack area, polyurethane sealant
