Concrete crack, spall & joint repair before it’s coated
Cracks, pitting, spalling and failed joints repaired properly, on their own or as the first step of an epoxy or polyaspartic floor, across the GTA and Southern Ontario.
Why repair comes first
A coating follows the surface it goes on. Cracks, holes and failed patches left under a new floor show through as lines and dips, and loose concrete underneath is where peeling starts.
That’s why repair is part of our prep on every job, not an add-on. If you only need repairs, we do that too.
- Hairline and shrinkage cracks
- Wider cracks and settled control joints
- Spalling and pitting from road salt and freeze-thaw
- Popped or crumbling old patches
- Holes from removed posts, anchors and floor drains
- Tile adhesive, paint and old coatings ground off
How we repair concrete
The right repair depends on the type of damage and what goes on top. These are the steps on a typical garage or basement slab.
Assess
We look at width, depth and whether the crack is still moving, and moisture-test slabs on grade.
Grind and chase
The slab is diamond-ground and cracks are opened up with a crack-chasing blade so the filler can get a grip, with HEPA dust extraction.
Fill
Cracks and joints are filled with a rigid epoxy or polyurea filler, or a semi-flexible product where there’s movement. Spalls are rebuilt with repair mortar.
Grind flush
Repairs are ground level with the surrounding slab so they don’t telegraph through the finish.
What we start with
A real ArNy basement before repair: old tile adhesive, cracked slab and patched concrete. Every one of these rooms was ground, repaired and finished with a moisture vapour barrier, epoxy and a polyurethane topcoat.
When a crack is more than cosmetic
Most cracks in garages and basements are shrinkage cracks that are normal for concrete. Some aren’t. We’ll tell you if we see signs that a coating won’t fix.
- Cracks wider than a few millimetres, or getting wider
- One side of the crack higher than the other
- Water coming up through the crack
- Cracks that line up with wall cracks or sticking doors
- Large areas of sunken or hollow-sounding concrete
Crack repair questions
Can you fix concrete cracks without coating the whole floor?
Yes. We can repair cracks, spalls and joints on their own. Bear in mind a repaired crack on bare concrete will still show as a line; if you want it to disappear, it needs a coating over the top.
Will the crack come back through my new coating?
A crack that has stopped moving and is properly repaired should stay hidden under the coating. A crack that is still moving, from settlement or seasonal movement, can reflect through any rigid coating. We check for that at the site visit and tell you honestly what to expect.
What about control joints?
Control joints are cut into slabs on purpose so the concrete cracks there instead of randomly. In most garages and basements we fill them flush so the coating is seamless. In larger slabs with real movement, we may honour the joints so the coating isn’t forced to crack.
What causes spalling on garage floors?
Road salt, water and freeze-thaw cycles break down the top surface of the concrete, especially near the door and under where cars park. We grind out loose concrete and rebuild the surface with a repair mortar or epoxy mortar before coating.
Is crack repair included in your coating quotes?
Yes. Normal crack, spall and joint repair is part of every ArNy coating quote, so there’s no surprise extra on install day. If we find something structural, we tell you before we start.
When do I need an engineer instead?
Cracks that are wide, that keep growing, that have one side higher than the other, or that come with sticking doors or wall cracks can point to a structural or foundation issue. We’ll tell you if we see that, and a coating is not the fix for it.
Get a concrete repair quote
Send a few photos of the cracks or damage and tell us whether you’re planning a coating. We’ll assess it on site and send a written quote.
- Call or text647-971-2769
Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm - Emailinfo@arnycoatings.com
We reply within 24 hours - Based in MississaugaServing the Greater Toronto Area