Repairing concrete slab

kerri_gt

Have managed to crack a paving slab in half in the garden (doh) and it seems that it's am irregular / difficult to source size, plus it's one of a path of stepping stones so any replacement will not have weathered like the others.

So, I am wondering if it can be 'glued' in any way? It's not submerged in water but being a path is obv on the ground. It's a clean crack right across a 225mm slab (in two halves now) I've read about using Epoxy glues and cement but not sure what would be simplest / easiest.

I also have a concrete plant pot which someone chipped a lump off - have the piece that got broken so hope I can employ the same thing to fix that.

tony6403

Kerri, there is no way to make a lasting repair to a broken paver. Even if you could bond the pieces you would still see the join. If you can't find a replacement or really want to keep the existing one you could dig down a couple of inches under the broken paver and bed it onto some concrete. The crack would still be visible but the paver should then be stable.

kerri_gt

Hi Tony,

thanks for your message - the two halves fit together well so hopefully the crack would not be as visible if bonded.

The stones are not fixed to the ground so I've swapped it with another and moved it to the back of the path so it's not so clearly noticeable. Its not a high traffic area so I'm hoping to find a way to remedy having two halve and bond them back to one(ish)

I've seen epoxy kits and Cement repair filler like this in Screwfix - not sure what might be most appropriate.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-premium-express-cement-repair-filler-sand-310ml/90162

casper_g

The product you linked to looks like more of a filler than an adhesive. In fact the description says "Not for use as a construction adhesive". The sand filler will prevent close contact between the broken faces of the slab, which would be desirable if you were going to stick it together.

That said, I wouldn't bother trying to stick it together and don't think you will find a satisfactory method of doing so. Moving the slab to an unobtrusive location as you have sounds like the best approach.

ColinFishwick

I very much doubt you could ever repair this. This is totally different item to a concrete pot. The first step on the slab will break it. Go and get a new slab

firefox1956

Could you replace it with one from a little used area that you will not see the crack ??

casper_g

firefox1956 wrote: »

Could you replace it with one from a little used area that you will not see the crack ??

She already has!

kerri_gt wrote: »

I've swapped it with another and moved it to the back of the path so it's not so clearly noticeable.

kerri_gt

casper_g wrote: »

The product you linked to looks like more of a filler than an adhesive. In fact the description says "Not for use as a construction adhesive". The sand filler will prevent close contact between the broken faces of the slab, which would be desirable if you were going to stick it together.

That said, I wouldn't bother trying to stick it together and don't think you will find a satisfactory method of doing so. Moving the slab to an unobtrusive location as you have sounds like the best approach.

Whoops - guess I didn't read that line about not being a contact adhesive - thanks!

ColinFishwick wrote: »

I very much doubt you could ever repair this. This is totally different item to a concrete pot. The first step on the slab will break it. Go and get a new slab

I'd love to get a new slab but it doesn't seem to be a size commonly stocked - the nearest stockist I can find is a good 4 - 5hr round trip. We didn't landscape the garden so I have no idea where the people who did sourced the slabs from.

Sounds like sticking it at the furthest point of the path where it's less noticeable is the way forward - many thanks.

Furts

kerri_gt wrote: »

Whoops - guess I didn't read that line about not being a contact adhesive - thanks!



I'd love to get a new slab but it doesn't seem to be a size commonly stocked - the nearest stockist I can find is a good 4 - 5hr round trip. We didn't landscape the garden so I have no idea where the people who did sourced the slabs from.

Sounds like sticking it at the furthest point of the path where it's less noticeable is the way forward - many thanks.

The slab can be glued using traditional Gripfill - not the water based adhesive, but the common green tube costing around £2.30 at Toolstation and Screwfix. This will be indestructable, provided you bed the slab down properly.

I have repaired countless roof tiles with Gripfill and they have all lasted the test of time - at least I am not aware of any failing! So I have confidence to use it on a paving slab.

kerri_gt

Furts wrote: »

The slab can be glued using traditional Gripfill - not the water based adhesive, but the common green tube costing around £2.30 at Toolstation and Screwfix. This will be indestructable, provided you bed the slab down properly.

I have repaired countless roof tiles with Gripfill and they have all lasted the test of time - at least I am not aware of any failing! So I have confidence to use it on a paving slab.

Ohhh, I looked at that last night - many thanks, thankfully it's not so obvious where I've moved it to which is good.