When cement work or concrete is damaged it no longer structurally sound. Damaged cement or damaged concrete needs to be evaluated and repaired promptly and correctly. Damaged cement or cracked concrete is not just an eye-sore; in order to ensure the structural integrity of the concrete structure it must be fixed. Before beginning any attempts to fix the damaged concrete it must be evaluated. First you must determine if the damage is fixable or if the concrete needs to be replaced. It is also important to determine what caused the concrete damage in the first place, as this may factor in to how the cement repair or concrete repair should be executed. For example, if the concrete failed due a lack of tensile strength, it may be necessary to install supports such as steel beams or rebar as a way to increase the strength of the concrete.
The first step in repairing or fixing concrete or cement is to look for signs that replacement of the cement or concrete is needed. Factors that indicate the need to replace the cement include deep, widespread cracking or cracks that go all the way to the settlement; sunken, uneven concrete, which may indicate problems with the sub grade; and frost heave, which is common in cold climates and results in cement and concrete that have been pushed upward due to freezing of the ground underneath. Any of these conditions indicate that the cement or concrete will likely need to be replaced. A repair job would only be temporary and will not fix the underlying problems with the concrete. Contacting a reputable cement worker or concrete worker can help you evaluate whether your concrete needs to be replaced or if a cement worker or concrete contractor can successfully repair your damaged concrete.
If your concrete is evaluated and only has minor cracking, but does not show signs of settlement cracks, frost heave, or sunken concrete, repairing the concrete should be an effective way to help extend the life of the concrete. Small surface cracks can be sealed and routed. This works on cracks that do not affect the structural integrity of the concrete. Small surface cracks in cement and concrete can also be covered over with resurfacing and overlaying techniques.
For more serious concrete cracks partial depth or full depth repair may be needed. These methods of concrete repair are more labor intensive and are best undertaken by cement workers or concrete work contractors. With partial depth repair, the concrete is cut and removed but the reinforced concrete that was originally installed remains. If the concrete is very damaged, full depth repair, which involves cutting out the damaged concrete, replacing the steel reinforcements and replacing the concrete.