Concrete Coating - Fixing a cracked concrete driveway or sidewalk is well within the ability of the average handyman. And the damage should be repaired as soon as possible, because water will get under the structure and cause more problems.

Cracks in Sidewalks

Enlarge the crack along its entire length with a cold chisel and hammer. Use gloves and eye protection! Make the crack wider at the bottom than at the top, a process known as undercutting. It helps to bond the new concrete with the older concrete. After the crack has been thoroughly undercut, remove all loose material and brush the area with a wire brush.

The new concrete patch will hold better if a concrete adhesive is used first. This will both assist with bonding and prevent old concrete from absorbing moisture from the newly installed patch. Brush the adhesive into the undercut area and allow it to dry until it becomes tacky.

Concrete Coating - Concrete is usually ordered by the cubic yard. Most contractors simply say "yard". A cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. The measurement is 3 feet wide, 3 feet high, and 3 feet long, or 3′ x 3′ x 3′ = 27 cubic feet.

Most concrete projects are measured by the foot for length and width, and inches for thickness. So how do you determine the cubic yards of concrete to order?

Let’s say you are pouring a slab that measures 20 feet wide, 20 feet long, and 4 inches thick. Start by calculating the square feet of surface area. The formula is: