Concrete cracks question

[Kurt Gavin]

The house is 3 1/2 years old, and some hairline cracks and openings are appearing in the patio and walkway concrete.

Is it worthwhile to patch these cracks with some water proof cement repair gunk?

Any other measures worth taking to slow down or stop this cracking?

Thanks

[barry]

Hi, Kurt.

Nope to both. Concrete has little strength in tension, and that's what causes cracks. If you're lucky, there's reinforcing steel mesh down in there and formed-in joint lines to locate the cracks. And, hopefully it was poured more than a few inches thick, with properly prepared base. Nothing much you can do about that now.

All you might do, if the cracks are randomly located, is to cut parting-lines with abrasive cutter. (It _will_ crack). Or, just kick back and enjoy life.

HTH, J