How to fix concrete cracks near garage foundation
Fixing foundation cracks requires clearing away debris and filling the gaps with a concrete patch. However, the root problem is poor water drainage, so you must also clear downspouts and ensure the ground slopes away from the house to stop future damage.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 19.2× more often in r/HomeMaintenance than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Using concrete filler caulk or concrete patch to fill the cracksDid this help you?
- 2Installing a gutter extension or white flex-a-spout to move water away from the foundationDid this help you?
- 3Digging a trench to bury drainage and grading the ground to slope away from the houseDid this help you?
- 4watching YouTube videosDid this help you?
- 5digging out loose material and patching with matching materialDid this help you?
- 6addressing outside issues like gutters and drains before plugging the interior holeDid this help you?
- 7replacing the materialDid this help you?
- 8hiring a professionalDid this help you?
- 9patching gaps with masonryDid this help you?
- 10removing loose bricks and filling empty space under the concrete pad with crushed rockDid this help you?
- 11Asking concrete professionals instead of plumbersDid this help you?
- 12Backfilling with sand, settling with water, and adding drainage rock before pouring concreteDid this help you?
- 13Using backer rod and self-leveling sealantDid this help you?
- 14Packing sand into larger gaps before applying sealantDid this help you?
- 15Using a tube of concrete crack filler, keeping in mind that it dries darker than when wetDid this help you?
- 16Using gray colored body filler like Bondo to fill small cracks and holes quicklyDid this help you?
- 17painting over it with foundation paintDid this help you?
- 18sealing the concrete before covering itDid this help you?
- 19keeping water off as best as possibleDid this help you?
- 20Putting towels down and changing them to manage the water seepage.Did this help you?
- 21Filling the crack with a polyurethane crack injection kit.Did this help you?
- 22Extending downspouts at least 3 feet away from the foundation.Did this help you?
- 23inspecting for water freeze damageDid this help you?
- 24checking for impact damage from yard toolsDid this help you?
- 25Using Sikaflex or a polyurethane concrete sealantDid this help you?
- 26Using sand to block the flow if the crack has no bottomDid this help you?
- 27Using Sikaflex self-leveling sealant with a caulking gunDid this help you?
- 28Leaving small cracks unsealedDid this help you?
- 29Calling local companies for professional helpDid this help you?
- 30Trying to divert water away from the foundation with a tarp temporarilyDid this help you?
- 31Getting a professional structural inspectionDid this help you?
- 32Marking the cracks and monitoring them over time with photos and measurementsDid this help you?
- 33leaving it alone if it hasn't movedDid this help you?
- 34patching with hydraulic cementDid this help you?
- 35repainting every few yearsDid this help you?
- 36Calling a mason to get an expert opinion or hire them to do the jobDid this help you?
- 37Scraping off loose material, letting it dry, applying a bonding agent, and applying a new parge mix as a DIY projectDid this help you?
- 38burying the corner with more wash stone or river rockDid this help you?
- 39using spray foam to fill gaps inside and cement to edge the corners, then texturing stuccoDid this help you?
- 40hiring a stucco contractor to add onto the bottomDid this help you?
- 41stuffing backer rod and filling without grindingDid this help you?
- 42taking out loose bits and pressure washing the grit and sealDid this help you?
- 43Kicking mulch over the damaged area to hide the degradationDid this help you?
- 44Clean the gap, insert a foam backer rod, and cover it with a self-leveling sealant like Sikaflex.Did this help you?
- 45Fill tight gaps with a flexible urethane caulk made specifically for concrete joints.Did this help you?
- 46Avoid paver sand because it does not flex and will crack during winter freezes.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Dug up the bathroom pipes for a repipe. When done, how would you recommend i fill the hole.”source ↗
“How do i tie into the old mesh wire ? Drilling rebars in or just new mesh wire?”source ↗
“How do I prevent voids?”source ↗
“Would you recommend i make the edges square with a 7 inch masonry blade or just send it ?”source ↗
“I want to seal the crack between the foundation wall and ashpalt. Is this the correct sealant / caulking?”source ↗
“the ashphalt slope is very very shallow so i want to keep as much water as possible from getting into the wall.”source ↗
“Our 112yo home has a small hole/void in the foundation, and I’m looking for advice on the best way to patch it.”source ↗
“I started redoing the insulation in the crawl space and found this crack. Since I've lived here I've had water come in once during a really heavy rain storm.”source ↗
“How bad is this? Can I go ahead and use a polyurethane crack injection kit?”source ↗
“I recently bought a new home in Cincinnati Ohio with cracks here in the concrete (I think that is what this is) on the bottom left of the garage. How do I go about making this right?”source ↗
“Cracked concrete around wood post... now sure what I should do... I know nothing about this, please help.”source ↗
“So I’m seeing this around the house. Slab foundation? Anyone know what it is and how to repair it?”source ↗
“In the walkway between 2 concrete slabs there was a joint that which looked like PT 1x4 lumber that exposed to water, rotted, and insects got to it, I removed it, not sure that a new 1x4 may fit since the slabs shifted it a bit, the slabs are not cracked and I want to keep them that way, what would be the best repair solution?”source ↗
“I had similar thing in my garage corner last year first clear all that debris so downspout can actually direct water away from house then you can fill those cracks with concrete patch but the real fix is making sure ground slopes away from foundation”source ↗
“Determining whether to use cement or mortar or similar”source ↗
“First-time homeowner here, and I’m definitely not very handy, so I could use some advice.”source ↗
“We had a flood about two weeks ago, and during the heavy rain, water was coming in through the bottom of this crack.”source ↗
“What would be the proper way to repair this? Should I seal it from the inside, outside, or both? And what type of product/material would you recommend?”source ↗
“I want to make sure I fix the actual problem and not just cover it up temporarily.”source ↗
“do i need a backer rod in this case? or to thin for htat”source ↗
“Would a backer rod be to thick for this case?”source ↗
“What do I need to do about this foundation chipping?”source ↗
“Not entirely sure what if anything needs to be done, if I can just fill the gap?”source ↗
“Mostly just worried if it will keep chipping away and get worse, the corner is eroded with about an inch deep chunk on the right side of the picture”source ↗
“I'm happy to DIY but the stone foundation is making me a little nervous. I was planning to call a mason to get their opinion but thought I'd check here and see if there's any strong reactions on way or another on the DIY approach.”source ↗
“A mason would have it done in an afternoon but there's no reason you can't handle it yourself.”source ↗
“I was walking around the house after a storm the other day and noticed this gap in the corner. I was poking the concrete with a screwdriver to make sure nothing else would fall off/crumbles. The yellowish piece is foam. Is this something I could fix on my own or who should I call?”source ↗
“Should I take the angle grinder and clean up the joints to be uniform or just stuff the backer rod and fill?”source ↗
“This is my first home, and I'm not sure what my options are to control the seeping of a foundation repair while trying to get a hold of the company that did the work.”source ↗
“Is there anything I can put over the seepage to slow or stop it that won't void my warranty, or do I just have to keep putting towels down and changing them?”source ↗
“Vertical crack with active leak noticed after rainstorm. First time dealing with this and could use an adult.”source ↗
“We used to have two trees on each side of the steps. We removed them last year and noticed the issue with the concrete. I am trying to see what are some ways to address this?”source ↗
“Two large cracks in concrete basement entrance – what would be the proper way to repair these?”source ↗
“What would be the proper way to deal with these two concrete cracks if they are no longer actively moving? Epoxy injection, polyurethane injection, patching, or something else?”source ↗
“Should I get this fixed, or can I paint over it with foundation paint?”source ↗
“Looking for recommendation on the best way to approach filling these small holes in my concrete walkway/steps. Any recommendations for something that will match closely color wise or at least not stand out too much? And any technique suggestions?”source ↗
“I tried filling a slightly larger crack. But do the rest of these actually need to be filled?”source ↗
“These cracks are very very small so it was pretty hard to use the caulking gun to get it in precisely.”source ↗
“I'm wondering is there attachments that can make the caulk come out in a thinner or smaller amount? Because they are very small cracks and will overflow”source ↗
“Some cracking in the exterior of my house has led to a big chunk falling away to expose what I assume is a support beam behind the foundation. What can I use to patch it? Or do I need a professional?”source ↗
“i noticed when water runs down into that crack where the bricks meet that it just disappears and i don't see it exit at the base - also we have had a bug issue in the house so it made me wonder if this could be a source inside there.”source ↗
“You do need to seal the gaps but depending on how long this has been going on the fill under that concrete may have been displaced in some areas.”source ↗
“I was repairing a window screen when I noticed some crumbling concrete around my basement hopper window.”source ↗
“Especially in the corner where I'm worried it could find its way around the vinyl window frame.”source ↗
“Is this DIY friendly or would a professional be better?”source ↗
“Water on the surface goes into the large cracks in concrete by the brick edge and I have no idea where it goes.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5Painted concrete basement floor keeps dusting and crumbling
- 12How to fix a loose concrete step
- 7Concrete slab sloped toward the house
- 2Can you fix a settling foundation yourself on a tight budget?
- 2Will concrete in the backyard crack and look bad over time?
- 10How to fix a hole or deep channel in a driveway