How to Fix Crumbling Concrete in Your Basement

Learn how to fix crumbling concrete in your basement with this step by step guide. Find out what products are best for each application.

How to Fix Crumbling Concrete in Your Basement

When your basement walls start to crumble, don't panic. Basement walls often bear the brunt of a damp Oregon winter, which can cause flaking and crumbling. You can repair the damage by applying an adhesive agent that allows the new concrete to adhere to the old one, and then patching the wall. You can also extend the life of your patio by removing the old sealant, cleaning the joints, and applying a new sealant. As with all concrete repairs, the surface must first be cleaned of dirt, debris, and grease.

For hard-to-remove stains on exterior slabs, use Quikrete's concrete and asphalt cleaner, which is applied with a stiff brush and then rinsed with a hose. Cut the hardened sealant from the expansion joints with an all-purpose knife. If any of the expansion joints are ½ inch or wider, first insert a compressible foam backing bar into the joint to prevent the sealant from sagging between the slabs, leaving approximately ¼ inch of space above for the sealant. After cleaning and preparing the joints, squeeze Quikrete's self-leveling polyurethane sealant into each joint with a standard caulking gun. When you're ready to get started, review this video to get an up-close look at each step of the process, from preparing the joints to applying the new sealant.

Discovering cracks and weaknesses in your foundation can be scary, but Premium Wall Anchor & Waterproofing is ready to show you how to repair crumbling concrete basement walls so you can put your fears to rest. Find new confidence in your home and protect your family by strengthening the foundations of your property.

Stains and Scratches on Concrete Countertops

Stains and scratches rarely penetrate deeper than the top layer of a concrete countertop, so you don't have to remove too much of the surface to get rid of them. Expansion joints are placed on large areas of concrete to prevent the surface from developing cracks as the sections move imperceptibly over time as a result of temperature fluctuations or soil movement.

Repairing Concrete

QUIKRETE has a product called RECAP that is perfect for repairing concrete. Protect the new look of your countertop with a sealer such as Quikrete's Concrete & Masonry Waterproofing Sealant, which will prevent damage from acidic spills such as vinegar or lemon juice.

Grinding and Sealing Concrete Countertops

With a breathing mask and protective goggles to keep suspended concrete dust at bay, sand the entire surface in several passes with a hand grinder equipped with a series of diamond grinding pads.

Then apply a good penetrating dye such as Quikrete Concrete Penetrating Tint to the sanded surface to enhance the natural beauty of your countertop with a variety of intense shades.

Fixing Cracks and Chips

If you're dealing with cracks and chips, count on the polymer resins in Quikrete's Vinyl Concrete Patcher to create a strong, long-lasting bond with existing concrete and even out the surface. So now that you know how easy it is to make some basic concrete fixes around the house and which products are best for each application, what is stopping you? Get to work cleaning small cracks, messy edges, and rough surfaces to give your home a cleaner and more polished appearance.

Brock Cottew
Brock Cottew

Certified pop culture enthusiast. Award-winning troublemaker. Incurable food lover. Hipster-friendly tv geek. Subtly charming travelaholic. Incurable pop culture enthusiast.

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