Concrete Crack Repair

[jerryb]

I have opportunity to do a 55,000 sq ft concrete parking lot used for 18 wheeler deliveries. There are 19 truck bays with a little bit of oil stain. I plan on working this job with another pressure washing company, but the job may entail repairing the expansion cracks and hairline cracks in the surface. The concrete is about 12 years old and doesn't appear to have any real serious or severe cracking. In order to maintain a uniform appearance and to brighten up the entire area, has anyone had any experience in doing crack repair and is there a reasonable method to get the color of the repair so that it doesn't stand out from the rest of the surface? I have a "crack chaser" diamond blade and understand the basics of crack repair but am concerned about hiding the repair from view. I know the owner would like the lot to look sharp and bright and uniform - is his expectation too high? Any cost effective answers that can help here? Thanks!

 

[Zippo]

Sorry, you are NEVER going to get a crack repair to "blend" with the balance of the slab. There are different concentrations of lime, etc in every grade of concrete, as well as the mineral content of the water (hard/soft). You also have 12 years of slab compared to new repair...weathering, age, deposits, etc. will obviously be a factor. For cracks, a filler is used, which is not really concrete, so you have a material difference to consider. The best you can do is not make it look too bad. But making it blend seemlessly...not in this lifetime.

zippo