Repair Cracked and Broken Concrete (Easy DIY) || Garage Floor

I guess I really am starting from the ground up. Before I can truly start to build my dream woodshop, I have to first do something about the crumbling concrete. In this video, I show you how I go about repairing my cracked and broken concrete floor.
Patching Cement I Used: amzn.to/3CYpGVv

[@thomas9429]

A trick is to sweep up the garage floor and as the concrete patch is almost fully set up, just sweep the dirt through a few times. It hides your work a bit.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Awesome, thank you! I will keep that in mind for next time 😁

[@erepsekahs]

I find that painting the entire garage floor with an expensive epoxy coating when you have finished produces a perfect finish.

[@JediStockTrader]

​@@erepsekahs link?

[@fdort3971]

@@erepsekahs I've seen some gorgeous epoxy floors! It's really durable too

[@gordonjohnson405]

As Sofaking said, the patch will break apart when the rusting rebar expands again. It might only take months. You have two options, a long term repair and a longer-lasting short term repair. The longer term repair is to follow the rebar, cracking off the concrete until you find a part that is not rusted on each end. Either a chisel or a diamond blade on an angle grinder should be able to do it. That rebar looks too shallow anyway. Use an angle grinder to cut the rebar with an appropriate blade. Some of the same diamond blades that cut masonry will also cut the rebar. Remove the rebar. Then fill the void with a concrete resurfacer. It will be a blend of portland cement, fine sands and polymer. For a shorter term repair that will still last longer than what you have, use a wire brush attachment on the angle grinder and remove all loose rust. Then carefully apply phosphoric acid to the rebar to convert any remaining rust to black iron phosphate. Finally apply the resurfacer. The first method is the better option in my opinion, because that rebar appears to have been placed too shallowly in the concrete to begin with, making surface moisture wick through the concrete onto the bar.

[@mattspaulding7488]

Gordon you still around? Question say I do patch work like this. Then do the epoxy floor over top. Like deep. I won’t care if concrete cracks underneath as long as the top epoxy doesn’t. Is this possible. I don’t have money to tear up the entire floor and re Crete 3:30

[@gordonjohnson405]

@mattspaulding7488 The epoxy will crack. If you just want it level, try RapidSet CementAll. You'll want to cut out any rusty metal, if that's what caused the crack. Generally concrete spauls like that when something in the concrete expands, or when it was mixed badly. If it is just a crack, it means the ground shifted under the concrete so that all parts weren't equally supported. If that last is the case, then just cut through the concrete along the crack. Get all broken concrete out. Then fill with new concrete. It is only like $6 per 80lb bag. The crack becomes your new expansion joint.

[@dougnarup3608]

OK, so I'm a nurse and am not an expert on patch work. This was great and informative. And I love some of the smart comments that professionals made. Now I can patch up some small areas of my garage. Minnesota winters are hard on the garage.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cynthialytell2949]

I have a very similar crack and this video is the only one I could find that shows a similar gap. Thanks so much for posting, going to try this tomorrow!

[@EverydayBuilds]

You’re welcome!

[@dcea500]

I have the same problem, but mine are three small patch jobs. At least now I know what type of cement to buy. Thanks for the video.

[@EverydayBuilds]

I also had three problem areas that I fixed just like this one. I'm glad the video helped! Let me know how yours turns out. Thanks for watching!

[@TheEppy4207]

Great video, gonna finally redo my garage and gonna start w fixing a few spots in floor. Thanks

[@EverydayBuilds]

You’re welcome!

[@budsmith5]

Just what I needed to know!!! Perfect 👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

Great! 👍

[@formeitsmcchickenthebestfastfo]

Great video, better than a McChicken. Such an easy tutorial to follow. I'll definitely be using your tips. Thank you so much!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Idk, McChickens are pretty good! Lmao

[@formeitsmcchickenthebestfastfo]

@@EverydayBuilds For me, they're the best fast food sandwich

[@MohammedSinghar]

@@formeitsmcchickenthebestfastfo nothing is better than a McChicken. Perfect amount of chicken, breading, mayonnaise, lettuce and bun. It's all about the ratios.

[@mrlickie]

The rebar corrosion caused the crack to form. When steel rusts it expands. Your patch will only hold up for a couple years with the rebar continuing to rust. You need to figure out the reason for the corrosion. How is or did moisture get to the rebar? I recommend looking into structural concrete rebar repair/ replacement. Good luck bud.

[@2ndshiftaudio300]

You're exactly right. And I bet he has a drainage problem with rain getting under the slab. That's where the water is coming from. French drain system will prevent that. Watch Apple Drains channel here on youtube. That will show you what you need to do.

[@austinschultz354]

The reason for corrosion is that this rebar was placed about an inch from the surface which is not enough cover. Moisture found its way to the bar and caused oxidization

[@ghdueujcw22]

This is why dislikes needs to be shown again. Without these comments people would make poor repairs.

[@QAsession]

The surfside collapse in florida is proof that you cannot neglect (turn a blind eye to) humidity getting in the rebar and causing concrete to begin cracking and falling apart. Hope he figures out the root of the problem.

[@atownish1488hh]

that's where he pisses when he is drunk

[@RandomDudeFromSomewhere]

Thanks for posting this!

[@EverydayBuilds]

You're welcome!

[@efotube4679]

The crack will probably come back after some time because of the rusted rebar BUT, you can repair it perfectly the second time. After you have reached the rebar and remove the loose concrete, hammer the rebar hard on different points , so all the flaked rust breaks both from the rebar and old concrete, and also rebar decouples from the old concrete at some points. After that remove all the loose rust and debris. Get some white vinegar pour it all over the rebar, you can soak it if you can, or add some cloth on it and cover it with plastic so it won't dry out, leave it overnight. Next morning steel wire brush the rebar and vinegared area, wash it good, clean the dirt, and continue from the part that you brushed concrete mix as in the video. the crack will not come back for decades, if you do it this way.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Awesome! Thank you the very detailed comment. Much appreciated 🙏

[@boyshanks]

I think I have a similar repair. My garage floor cracked and I have removed all of the loose material. In doing that about 1 inch down I see the rebar in one section. The total repair is about 4ft long and 1 inch deep. In some places along the surface material has cracked away and is 5 inches wide. What material can I use to repair this? The products I find say they are good for surface repairs. Thanks

[@Lokidog23]

Great vid! Thanks!

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you 🙏

[@andrepastor4844]

Use a damp paint brush to feather the edges out a bit.

[@adlerpaul]

How did you make the concrete pour from the bucket. Company video show the mix to have consistency.

[@Sarah33Kaufman]

Is this a foundation/construction crack? How can you differ between the two?

[@Obababoy]

With the rusty rebar, i was worried the water from the cement mix would cause that to rust more, but I think coating it helped.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Still holding strong two years later 🤙

[@splash7489]

Thanks for this Video, its very useful to me as I want to do and area about .5 X 2m, so I wonder how this stands up to traffic such as machinery in my home workshop , any advice would be much appreciated thanks. Brian

[@EverydayBuilds]

It has held up great for over two years now 👍

[@MontyBird45]

Nicely done. You could have a better result, aesthetically and functionally, though by feathering the edges with a damp sponge.

[@EverydayBuilds]

That’s a great tip. That definitely would have helped. Thank you!

[@DavePawson]

Worth coating the rebar with rust inhibitor prior to cement? 'adhesion' coat is a great idea.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you for the input 🙏

[@MattTZew]

Thanks for the vid bud

[@EverydayBuilds]

No problem 👍

[@janeljones5906]

Hello professionals, to stop the rebar from rusting; can Restolum sealer be used then patch? Just asking before I start doing my cracks

[@fdort3971]

Rustoleum spray paint is supposed to work so after I cleaned all the rust off my metal I sprayed 2 coats...the rust was back before fall...I did it in the spring

[@erepsekahs]

4:27 ZEP spray Bottle. Perfect measurement.

[@DirtyJobsGuy1]

Ok so it’s now 2022, how has this held up? I have an area just like that under my garage door, and have a bag of vinyl cement patch and was wondering if this is the right product for the job.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Still in great shape. No issues 😁👍

[@daisybeagle6259]

You have got to fix the rust on the rebar too!

[@EverydayBuilds]

You are correct. I did clean it with a wire brush, but probably should have gone a step further and applied a sealer. Thank you for the comment 😁 Here’s an informative article on rusted rebar buyersask.com/structural/rebar-problems-in-concrete-foundations-slabs-and-walls/. I will give future updates to see how it holds up!

[@kiwimills9539]

Thanks nice video, where did you get mask ?I need one of those 😎

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thanks! RZ masks 👍

[@dmitry92203]

Would doing two separate sessions make it more likely to crack again? Like concrete.

[@EverydayBuilds]

The patching cement I used, claimed to be twice as strong as cement. The instructions also said to only pour to a depth of 1 inch at a time and could be repeated in layers up to 5 inches. My only concern is my last layer was pretty thin and that could also be a reason if it ever fails. So far so good, still looks great 👍

[@TarzanTheRepoMan]

yes it would crack it more make a bigger solid patch and your good

[@tyhuffmanrealestate]

I have an old building, roughly 75-80 yrs old. When there is a saturating rain and ground is saturated, water will come up through the concrete floor and then will leave the same way. Question is, can that be repaired by covering it with a coat of thin concrete or does it have to be taken out and replaced with new? I’m looking for a cost effective way to fix it. Thanks

[@EverydayBuilds]

I have no idea. I’m definitely no concrete expert. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.

[@fdort3971]

​@EverydayBuilds it looks like a good patch. I thought rebar was supposed to be deeper? I'm researching now because I'm planning my first ever slab in the spring after the frost is gone...our frost line is 2 feet deep...I wonder if you have an unknown water issue and that is your warning sign. The more I research the more concerned I'm getting...

[@EverydayBuilds]

I’m really not sure. I’m not a concrete guy, lol

[@NamPham-jk5zc]

Question, why did you wait for the first cement patch to cure instead of just quickly mixing and layering on some more?

[@EverydayBuilds]

I was worried that if I poured it too thick it wouldn’t cure properly. So to be safe I poured it in two layers 👍

[@MooreMeat_KC_BBQ]

Can this be done in a unheated garage during the winter months or does it need to be a warmer temperature for it to cure correctly?

[@EverydayBuilds]

I think it all depends on the exact cement mix you use. It should be stated on the bag.

[@tlent55]

The rebar should be encased 3 inches in concrete. If not it will start rust jacking the concrete and crack it.

[@aticafloorable]

sir I have a floor of about 3000 feet and thousands of holes a quarter deep and three inches in diameter what cement can I use to cover the holes and that it does not dry too quickly to be able to work. Thank you el piso es interior

[@jasonmcbride88]

Just curious, have you placed any direct loads on the patched area, like running your heavy toolbox casters over it?

[@EverydayBuilds]

I have not put any significant amount of weight on it. But it is holding up great to foot traffic, lol

[@teaglet1]

How did the second coat adhere to the first, did it come up?

[@EverydayBuilds]

So far so good! It’s still perfect 8 months later.

[@Pug351]

What would you use to patch on a incline or sloped floor? I would imagine that patching cement would run off before it dried.

[@EverydayBuilds]

I would probably choose a patch that mixes a little thicker. 👍

[@nogoodwolf]

What happens when you try to clean it up at first and you hit sand? Does it mean that it should all be redone? Perhaps not enough cement to begin with?

[@EverydayBuilds]

At that point, you may want to speak with an expert (which I am not).

[@erepsekahs]

Why did he have an orchestra in there with him? He does not explain it, and I personally feel one does not need it. My guess is that the cement will flatten and bond perfectly without it.

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

Looks like you did a good job. I’m surprised you screed with your nice level. How has this patched area help up?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you! That was a very cheap level, lol. It has held up perfectly 👌

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

@@EverydayBuilds lol 😆. I remember I saw your video months ago or perhaps sometime last year. I’m getting ready to do a very similar concrete repair in my outbuilding this weekend, so watched again. BTW, I’m Canadian living all the way over in southern, Shikoku, Japan. Where are you again?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Oh wow! I am in the US, more specifically Michigan ✋

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

@@EverydayBuilds Looks like you have a decent shop set up. What kind of work do you do?

[@minnesnowtan9970]

Did you wait for the brushed-on part to dry before pouring the main part in?

[@EverydayBuilds]

I did not. Because I wanted all of it to cure and bond together 👍

[@jaycie5021]

The rebar is probably the problem. Iron oxide takes up 3x the volume of iron so as rebar rusts it exspands. Fresh concrete forms an alkaline layer around rebar but this can fail overtime. Especially if moisture gets at the rebar. But once it does the rebar will start rusting again, the rebar will expand, the surrounding concrete will crack, air and moisture will get into the crack, and the rebar will rust faster. It's a nasty feedback loop.

[@AngeloLuis22]

It is effective to use sandpaper to scrape the excess uneven bulk after it dried up?

[@EverydayBuilds]

I doubt it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@AngeloLuis22]

@@EverydayBuilds what do you mean? What kind of grit do you use.

[@jlateralus21]

How long did you let the "painted on" dry for before applying the 2nd coat?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Not long at all. I applied the second coat right after.

[@AngeloLuis22]

What is the cause why it came like that, is that being passed by heavy objects or something?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Rusted rebar in the cement

[@rgbigdog]

The rebar is rusting and when metal rust it will expand, I would have treated the rusting rebar with a rust encapsulater let it dray and then go on with the repair job.

[@lathamgreen]

Put cornstarch in the mix to oxidize your portland and galb up the pores.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Great tip!

[@kylecribb5618]

I like the knee pad. Where did you get it?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Home Depot 👍

[@Pallidus_Rider]

I can tell you have an older garage , as there are no expansion joints. Rebar will rust when in contact with water. Concrete is porous 🤓 👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

It's about 35 years old.

[@phyllislord5041]

What is the name of cement, can’t see it, thanks

[@EverydayBuilds]

It is called Instant Patching Cement and the brand is Akona. I purchased it at Menards.

[@gordonrobertson4125]

Nice job, but you did not address the original problem which will come back and that is the rust on the rebar. I would recommend cleaning the concrete out and expose the rusted section of rebar then keep removing the damaged concrete until you find the non rusted part of the rebar. Then apply a rust converter to the rebar. Don't just seal it up as the rust will slowly continue and you are back where you started. The converter will stop the rust. Let that cure and then patch the concrete.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you for the helpful reply! This is very informative. Hopefully anyone else dealing with rusted rebar will see this comment and take the necessary steps to mitigate the rust.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

His patch was quick and will last a long time. Let the next owner deal with the rebar crap.

[@gordonjohnson405]

Gordon, you are right. I said the same thing before I saw your post.

[@EverydayBuilds]

I will keep you guys updated if it ever fails. So far so good 👍

[@simonpidgeon949]

💯👍👍

[@EverydayBuilds]

😁😁😁

[@trackdusty]

The steel reinforcing takes on water, rusts and thus expands. It is this which causes the cracking on the concrete. Probably no membrane was used on the slab. Letting the slab breath by placing no waterproof layers on top of it as well as having no garden beds or black plastic up against it also helps keep water away. Water can move laterally by capillary action. In other words, clear the space around the slab so as to allow rain to be absorbed vertically (by gravity) in the soil surrounding the slab. If this doesn't happen, the steel reinforcing will rust further and you'll have a repeat of the same problem.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Thank you for the informative comment 🙏

[@trackdusty]

@@EverydayBuilds My pleasure. And thank you for the valuable video.

[@simd510]

@@trackdusty you dont recommend waterproof seal on the cement?

[@trackdusty]

@@simd510 Concrete needs to lose the water that gets into it through its upper surface. So the answer to that is that it depends on where it is situated. If it is subject to water ingress, then seals prevent evaporation and thus cause rust in the steel reinforcing and break-up of the concrete.

[@simd510]

I was considering sealing my driveway with a waterproof penetrating sealcoat that is supposed to protect against freeze/thaw cycles. It is definitely subject to water. I definitely get what you are saying about existing water not being able to evaporate. But even without water evaporating, if it is going into the concrete, wouldnt the reinforcing material still be rusting.. Also isnt the water penetrating the concrete breaking it up regardless of evaporation, because it doesnt happen immediately, and freezing/thawing will happen before complete evaporation. Now you got me worried that I may be doing more harm then good with seal coating.. I was also going to seal the joints with epoxy@@trackdusty

[@IM-ei5rb]

Should have put a rust inhibitor on the rebar

[@davidadams6682]

What kind of scraping tool is that you used?

[@EverydayBuilds]

It’s called a 5-in-1 tool 👍

[@TharaLetzISLANDER]

Thank you

[@EverydayBuilds]

You're welcome!

[@Oldmanfarmer66]

We’re you able to clean up your level

[@EverydayBuilds]

I let mine sit too long, so not really, lol. But if you wash it off immediately, it should clean up no problem.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

Should put the rust neutralizer on the rebar. Then patch.

[@saracinosalvage6062]

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking.

[@pXnEmerica]

how's it holdin today?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Still going strong, no issues 👍

[@honeybadger2694]

How long u had a channel?

[@EverydayBuilds]

About 5 months.

[@nicksemo9811]

Has anyone ever found wire mesh or rebar that wasn't already rusting.

[@EverydayBuilds]

Never. Lol 😂

[@lettingthebearout7528]

Rebar oxidizes and expands, breaking concrete

[@johnmartin5153]

How is this holding up three years later ?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Still perfect, zero cracks 👌

[@johnmartin5153]

@@EverydayBuilds sweet !

[@EverydayBuilds]

😁

[@EdD-iflyFl500]

Rust jacking

[@Ryuuken24]

Seems nobody is talking about the reason the rebar is rusting. The moisture content coming up from the ground is too high. It's not a simple fix.

[@EverydayBuilds]

It’s a simple fix, but possibly temporary 🤷🏻‍♂️ Still going strong though 👍

[@floydhatton4853]

That may be true (probably), but if the rebar was in the lower depth of the concrete, it wouldn't have blown up the concrete the way it did. When rebar is placed near the surface it typically will cause cracking in the concrete above it.

[@simd510]

That product is super liquid. How would i use that on a sloped driveway?

[@EverydayBuilds]

You may have to find a product that mixes a little thicker.

[@AmenAnonomous-hf3qe]

What about some rust prevention then the solution here

[@EverydayBuilds]

Absolutely 👍

[@nickfanzo]

They won’t last. It’ll crack open again if moisture is getting into the floors

[@EverydayBuilds]

It's held up thus far. I'll let you know if it cracks.

[@-CHaPPy-]

No... That's all

[@EverydayBuilds]

10-4

[@adelaferreira4575]

I am sorry but you don’t have any of the appropriate tools for the job,to clean the crack you need a chisel and mallet,to spread the patch mix you need cement tools those make the job easier

[@EverydayBuilds]

You are correct. Sometimes you just gotta use what ya got 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mnmike6884]

But using a drywall knife and a metal level? Not good for either tool for their intended uses later on.

[@Layarion]

no one else bothered by that crack he ignored at the one end of it?

[@EverydayBuilds]

Apparently not 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cmargo10]

The music is overpowering

[@EverydayBuilds]

Sorry, it was the first video I made. I’ve learned much more sense then 😁

[@Yourengineeringstandpt]

Next time use a concrete trowel to level it out and a 2x4 and then just work at level later hater peace