Concrete cracks are a fact of life for Evansville homeowners. Our clay-heavy soil expands and contracts with moisture changes, winter freeze-thaw cycles stress slabs, and many homes in neighborhoods like Jacobsville, Stringtown, and near downtown have driveways and foundations that are decades old. But not every crack is cause for alarm — and knowing which ones you can fix yourself versus which ones need a professional can save you thousands.
Hairline Cracks: DIY-Friendly
Hairline cracks are less than 1/8 inch wide and are the most common type in Evansville. They typically appear as concrete cures and shrinks, or as soil settles slightly under slabs. They're cosmetic and don't indicate structural problems.
DIY fix: Clean the crack with a wire brush and shop vacuum. Apply a concrete crack filler — polyurethane or epoxy-based — available at Evansville hardware stores for $8–$15 per tube. Press it into the crack with a putty knife and smooth the surface. These products remain flexible, which is important given our freeze-thaw cycles.
Wider Cracks (1/8 to 1/4 Inch): Likely DIY
Cracks in this range often result from soil settlement or minor frost heave. If the crack is in a driveway, patio, or walkway and both sides of the crack are level (no vertical displacement), you can usually handle this yourself.
DIY fix: Widen the crack slightly with a chisel to create a V-shape — this gives the repair material more surface area to bond. Clean thoroughly, then fill with a concrete patch compound or polymer-modified mortar. For cracks in driveways, a flexible polyurea filler handles the expansion and contraction from Evansville's temperature swings better than rigid concrete patch.
Cracks With Vertical Displacement: Call a Pro
If one side of the crack is higher than the other — even by a quarter inch — this indicates soil movement or settlement beneath the slab. This is especially common in older Evansville neighborhoods where clay soil can shift significantly with seasonal moisture changes. The slab is literally being lifted on one side and dropping on the other.
Why a pro: Filling the crack won't fix the underlying soil problem. A professional concrete contractor will assess whether the slab needs mudjacking (polyurethane foam injection to level it) or whether the soil issue needs to be addressed first. If you just fill the crack, it'll reopen within a year as the soil continues to move.
Foundation Wall Cracks: Call a Pro
Cracks in your foundation walls are a different matter entirely. Here's what to watch for:
- Horizontal cracks — These indicate hydrostatic pressure from water-saturated soil pushing against the wall. This is a structural concern that needs professional evaluation immediately, especially in low-lying areas near the river.
- Stair-step cracks in block foundations — Common in Evansville, these can indicate settlement. If the cracks are narrow and haven't changed in years, they may be stable. But if they're widening or if blocks are shifting, call a foundation specialist.
- Diagonal cracks in poured concrete walls — Often caused by settlement. If the crack is wider at the top than the bottom, the foundation is actively moving.
A professional can determine whether these cracks need epoxy injection (which restores structural integrity), wall bracing, or more extensive foundation repair. This is not a DIY situation.
Driveway or Patio With Multiple Cracks and Sinking: Call a Pro
If your concrete slab has a network of cracks and is sinking — common in areas of Evansville with poor drainage or where fill material wasn't properly compacted during construction — the slab needs to be either mudjacked or replaced. Attempting to fill multiple cracks in a failing slab is like putting band-aids on a broken arm.
Quick Decision Guide
- Crack under 1/8 inch, both sides level: DIY with crack filler
- Crack 1/8–1/4 inch, both sides level: DIY with concrete patch compound
- Any crack with height difference between sides: Call a pro
- Any foundation wall crack: Call a pro for assessment
- Multiple cracks with sinking slab: Call a pro for mudjacking or replacement
When in doubt, get a free assessment from a local Evansville concrete contractor. Most offer no-cost inspections, and catching a structural issue early is always cheaper than repairing major foundation damage later.