Avant yard: plug cracked concrete in 5 easy steps pt. 2

Which product you use depends on the size of the area in need of repair. It can get pretty complicated for bigger jobs, but for most DIY'ers it breaks down thus:

• 1/8-inch cracks--use concrete patching compound, concrete caulk, or a bottle of pre-mixed patching compound.

• 1/4-inch cracks and wider--choose between 1) concrete caulk, 2) pre-mix, or 3) a sand and concrete patching combo method. This last option involves packing a layer of sand into the crack, then covering it over with concrete patching compound.

It doesn't matter that much which option you go for. Basically, concrete caulk is a siliconized product containing latex for elasticity. It is easy to use, being pre-mixed. Just put the tube into your caulking gun and you're set. It is also self-leveling, which is pretty cool. Caulk is a convenient choice for filling very minor cracks.

On the other hand, caulk is relatively pricey. Dry concrete patching compound requires mixing, but is by far the least expensive route. The sand-concrete patching compound route used for wider cracks is a little less foolproof (although not difficult, by any means), with the upside being that--again--it is a lot less expensive than caulk.

Okay, now let's proceed. Here's how to patch a concrete crack using concrete patching compound:

You will need the following tools:

• Protective work gloves
• Mask and/or goggles (if you expect to create a lot of dust)
• Screwdriver or chisel
• Wire brush
• Broom
• Garden hose
• Concrete patching compound
• Masonry trowel or putty knife
• An old bucket or other container in which to mix the patching compound