Hello,

I will be hiring a concrete contractor to install drain tile around the inside edge of my basement to control a water problem. To do this they will remove about 2 feet of concrete around the edge and then patch with new concrete.

I know that concrete shrinks a bit when it cures. I don't want there to be a crack or gap along the edges of the patch or it may leak again. Some people say that a sawed edge is too smooth and will separate after the concrete shrinks so a rough edge (jackhammer) makes a better cut. Others say that steel rods are sufficient along a cut edge to join the old concrete to the patch. Will that last? Is there an expanding concrete that should be used instead of regular concrete?

I want this to be a permanent solution that won't need repair again down the road. Any concrete people out there that can suggest what specifications I should require for this job?

Thanks.

I have seen this type of job done for many years and not seen any real problems with the cut edge. I am sure a broken edge from a jack hammer does have a better bond but this stuff isn't going anywhere. I appreciate you thinking this issue through but you might be over thinking about a crack.

Thanks for the advice.

The main question I have is the best way to get a good bond between old and new concrete. I've seen some vinyl cement treatments to use on the old edge prior to pouring the new patch. Does that stuff really work?

Cracks will leak. I'd like to do everything I can to get a good seal that will last. If it works I'd like to finish off this space sometime in the future.

The crack should not leak if the new curtain drain tile is working. What does your concrete contractor have to say?