We have a love-hate relationship with concrete. By nature, it's flat and bland. But that's really what we should love about it. It does its job without calling attention to itself--until it breaks up. Then it's time to call a meeting of the Fix-It Club.

Less than a hundred years ago it was a long, long road trip from coast to coast, taking more than a month. The first national highway, the Lincoln Highway, had only a few miles of concrete. The rest was dirt or mud, by season. Then concrete became a popular road material and, by the mid-1920s, the cross-country trip took about a week. With today’s cars and mostly asphalt-paved roads, it takes half that time or less.

How Does It Work?

Concrete is a composite material made up of a binder (Portland cement), aggregates (small rock chips), and water. Once mixed, it's spread into an area with perimeter forms, then allowed to dry solid. Once dry it is as hard and strong as stone. Concrete is used for building foundations and slabs, garage floors, driveways, sidewalks, fences, and many other uses. It is also the major component in concrete building blocks.

What Can Go Wrong?

Concrete can crack, chip, erode, and break. Most damage is caused by water and weather--though earthquakes can also have an adverse effect.

How Can I Identify the Problem?

If a concrete block is chipped, you can patch it (see below).

If a concrete block is damaged beyond repair, you can replace it (see below).

If a concrete-block basement wall leaks, you can seal it (see below).

If a concrete driveway, sidewalk, garage floor, wall, or other concrete surface is cracked, you can fill the crack (see below).

Fix-It Tip

Oil, if left standing, can chemically damage and weaken the concrete. Use sand to soak up patches of oil on concrete. Then clean the area with mineral spirits or a degreasing solution.

What Parts, Materials, and Tools Do I Need?

Replacement parts are available from local building material suppliers and hardware stores. The tools you will need to fix concrete include these:

• Cold chisel
• Mason's trowel
• Small sledgehammer
• Wire brush
• Work gloves
• Cement patch
• Jointing tool
• Striking tool
• Mortar box
• Mortar
• Power drill with masonry bit
• Hammer
• Safety goggles
• Vacuum cleaner
• Hydraulic cement patch
• Small broom (whisk broom)
• Paint brush
• Concrete repair caulk
• Masking tape
• Bonding adhesive
• Vinyl-reinforced patching compound

What Are the Steps to Fixing It?

You can purchase concrete repair caulk at most hardware stores and home centers. Follow directions on the label.

1. Clean out dirt and debris with a small broom.
2. Apply concrete repair caulk as a temporary repair until you can make a better repair with concrete patch.

Fix-It Tip

Repair concrete cracks as soon as you find them so they don't continue to enlarge.

Fill a larger crack in concrete:

1. Clear out loose debris with a metal chisel.
2. As needed, attach a board to contain the new concrete. Also use a board or masking tape to protect adjacent surfaces as needed.
3. Apply a thin layer of bonding adhesive.
4. Fill the area with cement patch in thin layers as directed by the manufacturer.

Patching a concrete block:

1. Remove loose material from the block with a chisel and a wire brush.
2. Spread the cement patch in to the hole in layers using a trowel.
3. Smooth the surface of the patching material with a mason's trowel and allow to dry.

Replace a concrete block:

1. Use a chisel or power drill with a masonry bit to remove the block beginning at the center.
2. Use a chisel and hammer to break up and remove remaining mortar.
3. Spread a bed of mortar in the lowest portion of the hole.
4. Spread mortar on the other three sides of the block.
5. Insert the new block in position in the hole, carefully aligning it to be flush at the front edge.
6. Use a striking tool to make the mortar conform to neighboring blocks.

Fix a water leak in a concrete-block basement wall:

1. Remove loose mortar and dirt from the wall using a wire brush and shop vacuum.
2. Remove loose concrete around cracks and small holes.
3. Apply hydraulic cement patch to the damaged area following the manufacturer's directions.
4. Use a mason's trowel or a jointing tool to finish installing the patch and allow it to dry.