The 12 Best Concrete Crack Fillers of 2023
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Fill in cracks and damaged areas on concrete flooring, foundations, or walls
The Spruce / Kevin Liang
Fact checked by Richard ScherrReviewed by Deane Biermeier
Repairing cracked concrete isn't too difficult of a DIY project as long as you have the right concrete crack filler. While concrete is a very durable building material—after all, there are concrete structures built by the ancient Romans that are still standing and even usable—it does tend to develop cracks over time, as well as flake or peel (also known as spalling). While some minor cracks are merely cosmetically undesirable, extensive cracking or spalling of your concrete walkway, driveway, garage floor, foundation, or concrete walls can lead to water seepage, lifted areas that are tripping hazards, or structural weakness. That's why it's always a good idea to repair and fill any cracks in concrete that are more than hairline fractures.
Deane Biermeier, carpenter and former contractor as well as a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board says, "Concrete crack fillers are one of those, 'You get what you pay for' items. Cheap crack fillers tend to look good at the outset but don't offer many long-term benefits. Look for self-leveling compounds for horizontal surfaces and grouts for vertical ones. Use hydraulic cement compounds in foundation walls and other structural components where the concrete could come into frequent contact with water. "
To help with your next repair project, we evaluated concrete crack fillers based on type, effectiveness, ease of application, cure time, weather and moisture resistance, and overall value.
Best Overall: Sika Sikaflex Pro Select Self-Leveling Sealant
Fill cracks up to 1.5 inches wide with this self-leveling, flexible, paintable sealer that is also waterproof once dry.
What We Like
Self-leveling
Can be painted or stained
Flexible
Waterproof
What We Don't Like
Not for use on vertical surfaces or sloped surfaces
Can take up to 5 days for full cure
If you need to repair a concrete crack that's a minimum of 1/4-inch wide up to a maximum of 1 1/2-inches wide and 1/2-inch deep, then our top recommendation is Sikaflex Pro Self-Leveling Sealant. This polyurethane sealant dries to the touch in just one or two hours but can take three to five days to fully cure. You can use it on freshly poured concrete that has cured for at least 24 hours, and you can even use it on damp concrete as long as the rain or other source of water has been stopped for at least an hour. Once cured, it has excellent adhesion, but remains slightly flexible, making it ideal for use in cracks that are exposed to weather extremes.
You'll need a caulk gun to squeeze the thick substance into the crack; the 10.1-ounce tube fits most caulk guns. Once you've filled the crack, the sealant will self-level to create an even surface, so you won't need to scrape or sand away a rounded or humped-up edge. And it's waterproof and resistant to shrinking or cracking. It dries to a light gray that matches the color of concrete, but you can paint or stain it once it's cured if you prefer another color. You can sand it as well, if necessary.
Note that this is only for sealing cracks on horizontal surfaces, such as garage floors, driveways or walkways, or patios. It is not for use on vertical surfaces, meaning you cannot use it for cracks in walls or stair risers, or for cracks on horizontal surfaces that are sloped. Like other self-leveling sealants, it is fairly runny at first, so go slow and steady while applying it to avoid overfilling the crack. If you have a lot of cracks to fill, you can also buy this sealant in a 29-ounce tube.
Price at time of publish: $9
Size: 10.1 ounces | Cure Time: 3 to 5 days | Application Method: Caulk gun
Best for Foundations: RadonSeal Concrete Foundation Crack Repair Kit
Seal foundation cracks against moisture, insects, and ground gases with this DIY kit.
What We Like
Permanent, waterproof seal
Works on cracks up to 1/2-inch wide
Comprehensive kit
What We Don't Like
Expensive
It's not inexpensive, but this comprehensive kit from RadonSeal lets you fix cracks in your home's foundation or basement walls that are up to 1/2-inch thick; you would pay a lot more to hire someone to do it for you. Seal out moisture—even leaks—as well as dust, insects, mold spores, and harmful gases like radon using this kit that contains everything you need except for a standard caulking gun. Once cured, your repair will be permanent and waterproof, plus just flexible enough to resist cracking, shrinking, or splitting.
While the process seems a bit complex, it's well within the range of the average DIYer. The company also has helpful videos demonstrating the entire process on their website, although the written instructions will likely be all you'll need. You will use the kit's contents to clean the crack, insert the injection ports, mix the ingredients, and then inject the sealant. Once inside the crack, the polyurethane foam forcefully expands to fill every bit of the crack. Within a couple of hours, the sealer is set enough to repel water and prevent leaks, and it is fully cured within 24 hours. The kit contains enough ingredients to fill up to 10 feet of cracks.
Price at time of publish: $154
Size: 10 feet | Cure Time: 24 hours | Application Method: Caulk gun
Best Epoxy: Rust-Oleum Concrete Patch & Repair
Fill cracks with this epoxy patch that's stronger than concrete and dry in only 8 hours.
What We Like
Extremely durable
Good for surfaces with vehicle traffic
Cures very quickly
Can be painted
What We Don't Like
Requires mixing before use and is only good for up to 30 minutes
Expensive
This 100 percent epoxy concrete repair patch is stronger than concrete once it dries. It bonds completely to the concrete and won't wear down, shrink, or crack over time. It's perfect for repairing tough cracks or holes up to 1/2 inch deep in concrete garage floors, foundations, driveways or walkways, walls, and stairs. It dries fast, too—if applied on a day when the weather is around 70 degrees and 50 percent humidity, it cures in just eight hours to a concrete-gray color. After that, it's ready for you to paint or sand it, if desired. Once dry, it's not affected by weather and is impervious to vehicle traffic. While more expensive than our other options, this is one of the most durable patch products you'll find.
Using the product is a little more complicated than a ready-to-go patch, but the results are worth it. This is a two-part product that you'll need to mix right before use. But don't worry, no chemistry degree is required: Simply follow the directions to mix two parts of the base with one part of the activator until the consistency is similar to putty. Then, use a trowel or putty knife to fill in the damaged area within 30 minutes of mixing the product. If filling in a large crack or hole, you may need two applications, each no more than 1/2-inch thick, but you'll need to wait a couple of hours between applications, meaning that you'll need to mix more product for the second layer. One 24-ounce box covers up to 14 linear feet.
Price at time of publish: $40
Size: 24 ounces | Cure Time: 8 hours | Application Method: Trowel or putty knife
Best Liquid: DAP 37584 Liquid Cement Crack Filler
No need for a caulk gun or putty knife with this easy flowing liquid crack filler.
What We Like
Easy to use
Dries very quickly
Stands up to vehicle traffic
What We Don't Like
Doesn't flow easily if it's cold
Only for horizontal surfaces
If you need to fill cracks that are no more than 1/2-inch thick, and you want a self-leveling product that easily flows right out of the squeeze bottle—no caulk gun or putty knife required—then you'll like this latex-based product from DAP. Shake it very well before use—it will flow even better if you set the bottle in a bath of warm water for 10 minutes before using it—and then fill horizontal cracks on driveways, basement floors, concrete steps, walkways, and other flat surfaces. If properly applied, the crack filler is dry and ready for traffic in just 30 to 45 minutes.
It dries to a concrete gray color but can be painted once it's dry if you'd like. Because it self-levels, this isn't the right product for cracks in vertical surfaces, such as walls or stair risers; used in these situations, it will slump or run. Be careful when snipping off the tip of the squeeze bottle, however, as too big a hole will allow the sealer to flow too quickly, and too small a hole will keep it from flowing smoothly. The 32-ounce bottle will cover roughly 90 linear feet.
Price at time of publish: $14
Size: 32 ounces | Cure Time: 30 minutes | Application Method: Squeeze bottle
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Best Sealant: Bluestar Flexible Concrete Crack Filler
This flexible product is ideal for cracks that are exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures.
What We Like
Tolerates temperature extremes without cracking or displacing
Easy to apply
Paintable
What We Don't Like
Somewhat runny, so can be messy
Not ideal for vertical cracks
Bluestar's Flexible Concrete Crack Filler comes in a squeeze bottle and is easy to apply; just snip off the tip of the bottle and carefully squeeze the product into cracks up to 1 inch in width. For deep cracks, you might need to fill the gap in more than one layer, letting the product cure for at least 24 hours between applications. It remains somewhat flexible even when dry, allowing it to move with the concrete's expansion and contraction during weather changes. And once it's cured, the crack is sealed, meaning that it will resist further damage or cracking from moisture and other weather extremes, as well as damage from foot or vehicle traffic.
You can use this for cracks on driveways, walkways, garage floors, or other horizontal surfaces. Because it is somewhat runny, it's not ideal for use on vertical surfaces. It's fairly self-leveling, thanks to its consistency, so you won't need to do a lot of sanding or smoothing as long as you don't apply too much. If the results aren't level enough, use a putty knife to smooth the filler before it fully cures. It dries to a gray color that matches concrete well, but you can paint it once it's dry if you'd like.
Price at time of publish: $17
Size: 16 ounces | Cure Time: 24 hours | Application Method: Squeeze bottle
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Best for Large Cracks: Sika Sikacryl Pro Select Ready-Mix Concrete Patch
Fill in large cracks or areas of damage on concrete or masonry with this easy-to-use patch product.
If you have large cracks or areas of spalling—peeling or flaking of concrete—on concrete or masonry, then this easy-to-use acrylic-based patch makes it easy to fix them. It's ready to go; no need for mixing or stirring. Just apply with a trowel until you've filled the gap. Note that for cracks deeper than 1/4 inch, you will need to apply the product in multiple layers, each no more than 1/4 inch, waiting for the full cure time of 24 hours between each layer. It dries to a slightly textured finish that blends in very well with concrete or mortar between bricks. Once cured, it can be painted if desired.
While you can use this to patch both vertical and horizontal cracks and holes in masonry and concrete both indoors and outside, it is not for use on areas that are driven on by vehicles, such as driveways or garage floors. It's ideal for fixing cracked concrete stairs, walls, sidewalks, masonry walls, and similar surfaces, though. It cleans up with water, as long as you act quickly before it sets, and it won't shrink or crack once dry. While it holds up very well to normal weather conditions, it is not waterproof, however. A 1-quart container will cover up to 20 square feet and a 1-gallon container can cover up to 80 square feet.
Price at time of publish: $13
Size: 1 quart | Cure Time: 24 hours | Application Method: Trowel or putty knife
Best Waterproof: DAP Concrete Siliconized Filler & Sealant
Use this waterproof sealer to fix cracks in concrete that's often exposed to rain or snow.
What We Like
Reasonable price
Adheres to many construction materials
Waterproof, flexible seal
What We Don't Like
Long cure time
The silicone in this sealant dries to a slightly flexible, waterproof seal that keeps out rain, ice, and humidity to prevent moisture damage or crack expansion in concrete that's often exposed to water. Note, however, that it is not for continuous submersed use, such as filling cracks in a swimming pool or at the bottom of a bird bath. You'll need a caulk gun to apply it to cracks up to 1/2-inch wide in concrete floors, walls, foundations, walkways, and other concrete structures. Because it has excellent adhesion to most other construction materials, including stucco, wood, mortar, brick, and stone, it's also a good choice for filling in small gaps between concrete flooring and nearby structures, such as stucco walls.
You can use this to fill both vertical and horizontal cracks. Once dry, its watertight seal even resists stains and damage from gasoline, oil, grease, or salt, and it won't crack or bubble. It can be painted after a 2-hour drying time, but should be allowed to cure for a full day before direct exposure to water. It can take up to two weeks for a full cure, however. After applying it, use a damp putty knife or trowel to smooth over the surface of sealer for an even finish. The sealant dries to a very light gray. It's a very inexpensive crack filler, as well.
Price at time of publish: $6
Size: 10.1 ounces | Cure Time: Up to two weeks | Application Method: Caulk gun
Best for Driveways: Latex-Ite Pli-Stix Driveway Crack & Joint Filler
Use heat to melt this permanent crack filler on concrete or asphalt driveways.
What We Like
Creates a watertight, permanent seal
Ready to drive on in just 20 minutes
Good for asphalt as well as concrete
What We Don't Like
Only available in black
Requires torch or heat gun
Relatively expensive
This unique, contractor-grade product is basically a "rope" made of thermoplastic rubber that you pack into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch wide cracks in your asphalt or concrete driveway and then blast with a heat gun or propane torch. The Pli-Stix melts within the crack, creating a watertight seal that's self-leveling, permanent, and flexible enough to slightly give with temperature-caused expansion and contraction of the concrete. It bonds very tightly to the concrete, so you can expect it to last for years. That justifies its price, which is higher than many other crack-repair products.
Before applying the product, be sure to thoroughly clear any loose debris, dirt, or bits of concrete out of the crack, and only use the Pli-Stix when the ground is dry. You might need to use a screwdriver or other object to wedge it into the crack. If the crack is very thin, you can cut the filler to fit as necessary. Once in place, apply direct heat from a propane torch or heat gun to the Pli-Stix until it completely liquefies, which usually takes only 20 to 30 seconds. It sets very quickly; you can usually drive over it within 20 minutes, as long as the weather isn't too humid. On the downside, it's only available in black, so the repaired crack will show on gray concrete. One roll of the product can repair up to 60 feet of cracks.
Price at time of publish: $28
Size: 60 feet | Cure Time: 20 minutes | Application Method: Torch or heat gun
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Best Self-Leveling: Loctite PL Self-Leveling Concrete Sealer
There's no need to smooth out your results when you fill cracks with this self-leveling sealer.
What We Like
Good for foot or vehicle traffic
Seals cracks up to 1.5 inches wide
Paintable
What We Don't Like
Long cure time
Not for cracks on slopes or vertical surfaces
Self-leveling sealers apply thin enough to spread out in the crack evenly, thus removing the need for you to smooth the filler out yourself with a putty knife. That makes your job easier and faster. This polyurethane sealer from Loctite fills in cracks up to 1 1/2 inches wide on any horizontal, flat surface, including driveways, garage floors, walkways, patios, and stoops. Like other self-leveling products, it should not be used on a sloped or vertical surface, as it will run or slump under those circumstances. It's ideal for driveways or other areas that receive a lot of vehicle or foot traffic, and remains just flexible enough once cured to resist cracking or shrinking due to temperature extremes. While weather-resistant, it is not waterproof.
You apply this sealer with a caulk gun. Be sure the crack is dry and free from debris and dirt before filling it. If the crack is deep, you might need to use two applications to fill it, waiting at least 24 hours between applications. Once applied, the sealer begins to set within a few hours. However, it is not fully cured for up to seven days, depending on the weather and the size of the filled crack. It dries to a concrete gray color, but can be painted once fully cured if desired. It's available in either 10-ounce or 28-ounce tubes.
Price at time of publish: $17
Size: 18 ounces | Cure Time: 7 days | Application Method: Caulk gun
Best Flexible: Sashco 16210 Slab Concrete Crack Repair Sealant
This highly flexible crack sealant is ideal for driveways or other areas exposed to temperature extremes.
What We Like
Good for cracks with vehicle traffic
Very flexible
For cracks up to 3 inches wide
What We Don't Like
Not self-leveling
Long cure time
Cracked concrete that's exposed to extreme weather conditions can be difficult to repair, as the concrete will slightly expand during high temperatures and slightly contract during cold weather. This tends to crack or displace crack fillers that dry very hard. The solution for these areas is a crack repair product that remains just a bit flexible once dry, thus allowing the filler to expand and contract along with the concrete to improve its durability. And Slab definitely remains flexible; in fact, this water-based product can stretch up to 300 percent of the crack's size without shrinking, cracking, pulling loose, or lifting. It even remains stable through freeze/thaw cycles.
You can use this to fill cracks up to 3 inches in width on horizontal surfaces, including those that receive vehicle traffic. While the sealant dries without slumping, it is not truly self-leveling, so you might need to do a bit of smoothing with a putty knife after applying it. It's fairly easy to apply with a caulk gun, as long as you don't try and go too fast. While the sealant is dry to the touch within a few hours, you should not walk or drive over the repaired crack for at least a full day. It can take up to a week or more to fully cure, though. Once cured, you can paint over the gray color if desired.
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 10.5 ounces | Cure Time: 1 week | Application Method: Caulk gun
Best for Thin Cracks: Bluestar Flexible Concrete Hairline Crack Filler
Fill in hairline cracks with this flexible, easily applied sealant.
What We Like
Runny enough to fill very thin cracks
Squeeze-bottle application
Seals cracks
What We Don't Like
Not self-leveling
Can be messy
For very thin cracks no more than 1/8-inch wide, this flexible product from Bluestar is the answer. Squeeze it carefully into the crack; the thin spout of the squeeze bottle lets you get right in there, and the fairly thin consistency of the sealant allows it to run down into the gap easily. It's not self-leveling, so you might need to smooth off the surface with a putty knife to give the best-finished appearance. The filler seals the crack once dry, so moisture can't continue to enlarge it, and it's flexible enough to give slightly with ground movement or expansion/contraction of the concrete to resist splitting, lifting, or cracking.
The cure time is 24 hours in good weather, longer if it is very humid or cold. It should be applied to dry concrete, and on horizontal cracks only. The thinness of this product makes it unsuitable for cracks on walls or other vertical surfaces, or for use on slopes where it's likely to run. It can be used on driveways or garage floors with vehicle traffic after it's fully cured. You can also paint it if you don't like its gray color.
Price at time of publish: $13
Size: 8 ounces | Cure Time: 24 hours | Application Method: Squeeze bottle
Best Cure Time: Drylok Fast Plug Hydraulic Cement
This hydraulic cement holds back leaks and sets in just three to five minutes.
What We Like
Applies even over actively leaking holes or cracks
Can be used on submerged cracks
Extremely durable once set
What We Don't Like
Must be mixed immediately before use
Not for very thin cracks
Not only does this hydraulic cement start to cure in just three to five minutes, but it also can seal even active leaks, or be used to repair submerged cracks in swimming pools or birdbaths. You can use it to patch cracks and holes in concrete, mortar, or masonry surfaces both horizontal and vertical. You do need to work quickly, however, due to the fast cure time. You'll also need to mix this product yourself in a ratio of three parts Fast Plug to one part water. Be sure to mix it immediately before you plan to use it, and don't mix more than you will use within three minutes. Once mixed, work the product into cracks or holes with a trowel or putty knife. Smooth it over as you work for an even finish.
While the hydraulic cement will be dry enough to hold back leaks within minutes, you'll need to wait up to an hour before walking on it, and at least a full day before driving over it. It's very hard and durable once it's cured. While it dries to a concrete gray, you can paint over it with a waterproofing latex paint once it's fully set. Note that Fast Plug is best for cracks and holes that are fairly large, not for hairline cracks.
Price at time of publish: $11
Size: 4 pounds | Cure Time: 3 to 5 minutes | Application Method: Trowel or putty knife
Final Verdict
If you want an easy-to-use crack filler that self-levels, is very durable and weather-resistant, dries to a waterproof finish, can be painted, and works to fill cracks up to 1.5 inches wide, then our top recommendation, Sika Sikaflex Pro Select Self-Leveling Sealant, is the product for you. But if you need to patch a crack or hole that’s actively leaking water, or need to fix a crack in a swimming pool or other submerged area, then we recommend Drylok Fast Plug Hydraulic Cement, which sets in only a few minutes.
What to Look For In a Concrete Crack Filler
Type
Knowing the different types of products that can be used to repair cracked concrete helps you narrow down your options to the crack filler that’s best for your particular situation.
Concrete caulk or filler is best for cracks no wider than 1/2 inch. This thick material is injected into the crack with a caulk gun or by directly squeezing it out of the tube. You can use concrete caulk on both vertical or horizontal cracks. Our top pick is Sikaflex Pro Select Self-Leveling Sealant.
Self-leveling caulks flatten out as they dry, so you don’t have to smooth them out yourself. But these are best for cracks on the ground, not cracks in walls or other vertical surfaces. Loctite PL Self-Leveling Concrete Sealer is especially good for cracks that receive a lot of vehicle traffic.
Concrete sealer is similar to concrete caulk, but is only for use on thin horizontal cracks, not on vertical cracks in walls. Concrete sealer both fills the crack and works to prevent moisture from seeping into the concrete. Bluestar Flexible Concrete Crack Filler seals and fills cracks in driveways and other horizontal surfaces.
Epoxy sealers like Rust-Oleum Concrete Patch & Repair are waterproof products that are extremely strong and durable. These are good for cracks in foundation or basement walls, as well as horizontal cracks on concrete pavement or driveways. However, as epoxy sealers dry very quickly, they can be tricky for DIY use. Epoxy sealers are only for very thin cracks.
Quick-setting cement or cement patching compounds like Sikacryl Pro Select Ready-Mix Concrete Patch are best for large cracks up to 1 inch wide. These products are available in premixed solutions as well as powders that you have to mix yourself.
Hydraulic cement is usually a powder that you mix yourself, but there are some brands with premixed products. Hydraulic cement is used to fill cracks in foundations, fountains, swimming pools, or other areas where it’s imperative to keep moisture out. We especially like Drylok Fast Plug Hydraulic Cement, which starts to set in minutes.
Cure Time
Concrete crack-filling products generally have both a set time, which is how long it takes for the filler to be dry to the touch, and a cure time, which is how long it takes for the product to be completely dry and able to withstand traffic, either foot or motor vehicle.
Most concrete crack fillers are set within an hour or two, but can take several hours, or even a few days, before they are fully cured. You’ll usually find the cure time listed on the product packaging. Many factors influence the cure time, including the size of the crack, the air temperature, the humidity, the amount of water in the filler, and the amount of filler squeezed into the crack. If you are repairing a crack on a driveway or other area that received heavy traffic, never drive over the repaired crack until letting it cure for the full time frame recommended by the manufacturer. Latex-Ite Pli-Stix Driveway Crack & Joint Filler is ready for drive-over traffic in less than half an hour.
Weather Resistance
Just about any concrete repair product has at least some resistance to weather conditions, as it’s often weather itself that caused the crack to begin with. Generally, any filler will resist moisture from rain or snow. However, if you live in an area with extreme winters or summers with very high or very low temperatures, or you live in an area with significant rainfall, then look for a flexible sealer like Sashco Slab Concrete Crack Repair Sealant. These include ingredients that can slightly expand or contract with temperature extremes, thus preventing further expansion of the repaired crack.
Crack Width
The width of the crack determines which type of repair product will work best.
As a general rule, hairline cracks should be filled with liquid fillers or thin caulks that can seep down into the crack. Bluestar Flexible Concrete Hairline Crack Filler is specially formulated for the thinnest cracks.
Thin cracks up to 1/2-inch wide are best repaired with a concrete caulk or sealant.
Larger cracks, gouges, or holes in the concrete, or spalling, which is pitting or flaking of the concrete, are best filled with patching compounds or quick-setting cement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does concrete crack filler last?
There’s no definite answer to the question of how long concrete crack filler lasts, as it depends greatly on the type of repair product used, the size of the crack, exposure to weather and moisture, and the “activity” of the crack, meaning whether or not ground motion, settling of the concrete structure, or traffic continue to encourage the crack to enlarge. But as a rough guideline, your repair should last at least a year or two, and potentially up to a decade or more.
What is the best product for concrete cracks?
The best product for repairing concrete cracks depends on the size of the crack, the cracked area’s exposure to weather extremes and moisture, and the cause of the crack. Generally, you should use a concrete caulk or filler for small cracks that are less than 1/2-inch in width, and concrete patching compounds or quick-setting cement for larger cracks.
When should I call a professional to fix concrete cracks?
Generally, you can repair a small, simple concrete crack yourself. However, some cracks call for a professional’s expertise, including very large cracks or holes, cracks caused by drainage issues, or cracks that compromise the integrity of a building’s foundation, floors, or walls. You’ll also need a professional to tackle repairs to concrete that has buckled or lifted due to ground motion, frost heaving, or tree roots underneath the surface.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Michelle Ullman, who is a writer specializing in home and garden products. She has been a commerce writer for The Spruce since 2020, covering a wide range of home improvement products including power and hand tools, painting supplies, landscaping tools, and tool organizers. To choose the best concrete crack fillers for this article, she consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews, as well as websites specializing in driveway repairs and concrete use.
She evaluated concrete repair products based on type, effectiveness, cure time, versatility, durability, and overall value. She also received input from Deane Biermeier, carpenter and former contractor as well as a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
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