For safe footing, a concrete walkway should be smooth and level. A hole or crack in concrete makes it a likely place where you or a passerby can trip or fall. Don’t ignore the damage that will only become worse; repairing it sooner rather than later is a good idea. If it’s ignored, the surface will continue to deteriorate. You can hire a handyman to make the repair, but even a wannabe or fledgling do-it-yourselfer can fix the damage using specialty products designed for the job.
A handyman will charge $167, which includes labor and material, to fix small holes and a good-sized crack in concrete. You can buy the materials—pourable crack filler, backer rod, and concrete patching material—for $80 and do it yourself and save 52 percent.
Your time is well spent preparing the surface by first removing any loose material from the damaged areas and rinsing the surface with water thoroughly. The spray of a pressure washer will give you the best results. When dry, use a crack filler caulk to fill the holes, applying it in a continuous bead. For larger cracks, use a cold chisel to widen the opening more and give the patching material more surface to bond to. If it’s deeper than 1/2 inch, use backer rods to fill the depression. Then apply self-leveling concrete patching material, like Quikrete, according to the manufacturer’s directions. Pay attention to the directions for protecting yourself with safety gear as you make the repair.
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Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$167—$80—4.0—6.5—$87—52 percent
