Best Concrete Crack Filler (2023): Reviews and Comparison 

Concrete is one of the strongest and most durable building materials. However, concrete also expands and contracts due to hot and cold weather conditions. Over time this can result in cracks appearing on your concrete surfaces.

Best for Beginners, Easy to use

Best for Hairline Cracks

Best Pre-Mixed Crack Filler

Best for Vertical Application

Best Crack Filler for Wet Areas

Best for Larger Cracks / Driveways

Best Multi Purpose Crack Sealer

Best Fast Drying Crack Filler

Unlike certain other popular building materials such as wood and metal, cracks in concrete can be repaired and restored to "just-like-new" condition. When wood starts rotting, nothing can be done. It needs to be replaced. Similarly, when metal begins corroding, it needs to be replaced. This is where concrete is different from most other building materials.

Our Reviews of Concrete Crack Fillers

There are a variety of products available that fill up and repair cracks in concrete. The best concrete crack filler to meet your specific requirements depends on a number of factors.

Dap 37584 Liquid Cement Crack Filler

This liquid cement or concrete crack filler is ideal for narrow cracks on the deck, in the basement, etc. The ergonomically designed filler easily reaches into narrow cracks and saturates the space created by the crack. You don’t have to bother about proportioning or mixing, as this liquid cement crack filler is ready to use.

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Drawbacks

PC-Concrete Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive Paste for Crack Repair

PC Concrete is a well-known name in this industry. This epoxy adhesive paste for concrete crack repair is one of the best concrete crack fillers available in the market. It lends considerable strength and durability to the concrete and doesn’t break off with regular wear and tear.

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Drawbacks

Bluestar Flexible Concrete Crack Filler

The Bluestar concrete crack filler is really easy to apply. It's perfect for those who prefer the do-it-yourself (DIY) route. You do not require any special tools to apply it. The bottle cap is in the shape of a nozzle that can precisely apply the filler into the crack. The filler can be used on all types of concrete surfaces, including steps, basement, garage floors, patio, and driveway.

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Drawbacks

Dalton Latex-ite 35099 PLI-STIX Asphalt and Concrete Crack Filler

The Dalton Latex-ite PLI-STIX is ideal for filling and repairing wider cracks in concrete (or asphalt) surfaces. Liquid and gel-based concrete crack fillers are sometimes not good enough for wide cracks. In such scenarios, the PLI-STIX can do the job. It does involve some preparation time and needs to be applied carefully, but does an excellent job of filling up and repairing cracks.

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Drawbacks

Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Concrete Patch and Repair

The Rust-Oleum Concrete Patch and Repair lends an elegant and smooth finish to the concrete surface. Just because a crack has formed in a concrete surface, it doesn't have to look ugly. Since it's quite easy to mix and apply, anyone can use it to repair cracks on concrete surfaces in their property. You do not need to purchase any fancy devices or tools to apply this product, which helps you stay within budget.

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Drawbacks

EZR Hairline Crack Sealer

As the name suggests, this concrete crack sealer is specifically made to deal with hairline cracks. People often ignore hairline cracks thinking it's not a major issue. But these hairline cracks eventually turn into deeper and wider cracks. Plus, a hairline crack is enough for moisture to seep into the concrete surface and hurt. Hence, hairline cracks should be dealt with immediately and this product can help you do just that.

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Drawbacks

Damtite Concrete SuperPatch

The Damtite SuperPatch effectively fills and repair cracks in concrete surfaces. It's a high-strength material and sticks to the sides of the crack. It's fairly simple to apply and even a first-time user will not face a problem. Damtite is an over six-decade-old company and is known for producing high-quality products.

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Drawbacks

DRYLOK Fast Plug Hydraulic Cement

This hydraulic cement sets and hardens in under 5 minutes, which makes it ideally suited to tackle concrete cracks that have resulted in leaks. It effectively prevents water leaks, even if the water is flowing out at high pressure. It can be used to repair cracks on floors or walls. DRYLOK Fast Plug is quite easy to use, which means even a novice can apply it himself or herself and save the money you would have paid to hire a handyman.

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Drawbacks

Red Devil Pre-Mixed Concrete Patch

Red Devil is a well-known family-owned business and has been around for nearly 150 years. This pre-mixed concrete patch does a great job of fixing concrete cracks. It can be used to repair holes in concrete surfaces as well. It blends in with the concrete color and doesn't leave an ugly mark either.

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Sashco Slab Concrete Crack Repair Sealant

The Sashco Slab sealant is one of the best concrete crack repair sealants you can buy. It delivers high-quality concrete adhesion and keeps cracks sealed. It doesn't allow moisture to seep through the crack, which increases the lifespan of the concrete surface. While the Sashco Slab is a bit on the expensive end, it's completely worth it.

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Factors to Consider While Selecting the Right Concrete Crack Filler

Let’s take a look at the factors that will help you pick the best concrete crack filler.

Width of Crack

The width of the crack determines which type of concrete crack filler will work best. There are specific products available for hairline cracks and deep, wide cracks. The consistency of the crack filler varies, depending on which type of crack it’s designed to repair. The types of containers the crack fillers are sold in also varies, depending on the width of the crack. For hairline and narrow cracks, the crack filler is available in tubes or bottles with thin nozzles, which makes it easy to apply.

Quick Curing

Ideally, you should select a product that dries and cures quickly. However, you should keep in mind that if the product dries too quickly, it could affect the quality of binding. The curing time varies from product to product and depends on its formulation.

Ease of Use

Unless you’re experienced in repairing concrete cracks, the ease of use should be an important factor while selecting the best concrete crack filler to meet your requirements. Some crack fillers need a lot of prep, including mixing and heating. If the proportion of the mix is not accurate, it could affect the quality of the repair. Ideally, you want to pick a tube, but if that’s not available you should look for pre-mixed products.

Temperature Tolerance

As mentioned earlier, concrete naturally expands and contracts due to hot and cold weather. Once the crack is repaired, the surrounding concrete will continue to exhibit the same characteristic. Hence, it’s important to pick a crack filler that’s flexible and mimics the expansion and contraction of concrete. This will ensure that the crack doesn’t open up once again, as the crack filler will continue to cover the entire crack.

Types of Concrete Crack Fillers

Concrete Crack Sealant

Concrete crack sealants are specifically made to fill up and repair thin cracks up to half an inch. The consistency of crack sealants is such that it can be used only on horizontal surfaces such as patios, garage floors, driveways, etc. It’s typically sold in bottles with a pinpoint tip, which makes it easy to apply directly into the crack and doesn’t create a mess. Plus, crack sealants are self-leveling, which means it perfectly fills up the crack and doesn’t need to be smoothened to match the surrounding surface.

Make sure you shake the bottle well before applying the sealant. While applying it to deep cracks, it’s advisable to fill the crack partially with sand and then apply the sealant. 

Concrete Repair Caulk

This is similar to regular caulk and is usually applied using a caulking gun. It’s latex based and can be applied in multiple layers, though you need to make sure each layer is dry before applying the next. This is completely different from how regular caulk is applied.

Some concrete repair caulks are available in tubes that can be used to directly apply to the crack from the tube. This is meant for narrow cracks up to half an inch as well. Plus, it’s typically similar in color to concrete. So, it blends into the surface after drying. One of the biggest differences between a crack sealant and repair caulk is that the latter can be used to repair cracks on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.

Quick-Setting Cement

Quick-setting cement is another type of concrete crack filler. It’s used for cracks that are between half an inch and one inch in with. It needs to be mixed with water to form a paste, which is then applied into the crack using a putty knife. In some cases, the quick-setting cement needs to be mixed with a bonding liquid to slow down the curing process, which ensures that the long lasting repair is stronger and lasts longer. It’s also used to rebuild chipped portions of concrete structures such as slabs, stairs, and curbs.

Hydraulic Cement

Hydraulic cement is specifically meant for concrete cracks that have resulted in a leak. It has a very quick setting time, which is essential to plug leaking cracks and holes in concrete surfaces. Typically, hydraulic cement is available in powder form, which needs to be mixed with water to form a dough that remains flexible.

This dough is pressed into the crack by hand and within a few minutes, it’s set. Any excess dough can be scraped off with a trowel. It can be used to mend concrete cracks on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.

Patching Compound

Concrete crack patches are available both in the pre-mixed form and dry cement powder. The pre-mixed variety consists of cement and a polymer resin bonding agent, while the powder variety needs to be mixed with water or a specific bonding liquid. It adds a significant amount of strength to the crack to stop further damage. Typically, patching compounds are used for shallow cracks. The process of applying it in a crack is similar to applying regular cement. You use a trowel to push it into the crack and smooth it over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is concrete crack filler?

Concrete crack fillers are used to patch cracks in concrete surfaces. Most concrete crack filling products are best for repairing narrow and small cracks. These products are suitable for both interior and exterior areas.

What is the best concrete crack filler?

The best concrete crack filler will depend on what kind of repairing work you have to do. For cracks up to 1/2 inch wide in horizontal concrete surfaces, concrete crack sealants and caulk based concrete fillers will be the best option. However, for cracks wider than ½ inch, quick-setting cement-based fillers are advisable to use. Hydraulic-based cement product works best for cracks where there is a presence of water flow depending on the concrete mix.

How to apply concrete crack filler?

First, clean the crack area and thoroughly remove the dirt inside it. Next, get the concrete crack filler and shake it to mix all the ingredients well. Open the top of the nozzle with scissors. Then, place the tip of the nozzle into the crack and gently squeeze the product while slowly moving it along the crack area until you fill it in thoroughly. Lastly, allow it to dry.

Does concrete crack filler work?

Yes, concrete crack fillers do work. You just need to be sure you pick the right concrete crack filler for your specific situation and type of crack you need to repair. Concrete crack sealants are specifically made to fill up and repair thin cracks up to half an inch. However, the sealant will not fix any underlying structural problems you might have.

How long does concrete filler take to dry?

The time it takes for concrete filler to dry will depend on the product being used and how big and deep is the crack is. If you are using concrete crack filler, protect it from rain and water for a minimum of 24 hours. A thicker application may require more time to dry. Other types of filler will depend on the product, read the instructions, or label at the back of the product.

How to remove concrete crack filler?

Removing concrete crack filler can be quite tricky once it has dried. The simplest way to remove it is with a grinding tool or chisel that fits within the width of the filler. Gently place the tip of the chisel against the filler you intend to remove and tap it with a hammer until you remove chunks of the filler. Continue the procedure along the crack line until removed.

Verdict

Each of these products has its own set of pros and cons. So, there isn’t one answer to the questions, which is the best concrete crack filler for your specific requirements? If you look at these products through the lens of the factors mentioned earlier in this article, you will be able to easily identify the right one.

While the price wasn’t mentioned as one of the factors, it is an important consideration as well. A high-priced product isn’t necessarily the best. However, if a few extra dollars means that the crack is repaired efficiently and lasts a long time, then spend those few extra bucks.