The expansion and contraction caused by variations in temperature as well as erosive factors such as frost and ice will sooner or later cause concrete to crack or break. Repair and maintenance is inevitable, but easy. 
 

Small Repairs

If all goes well there should be no need for repairs.  However, if repairs are necessary there are several adhesive compounds that work well for cement.  One compound is latex cement.  Latex cement has two ingredients including powdered cement and latex liquid.  These two components are mixed for a quick hardening concrete repair.  Another compound, vinyl patching cement, only needs to be mixed with water.  Its strength is greater than ordinary portland cement and it is resistant to variations in temperature. 

For small repairs, another compound, epoxy cement, works extremely well although it is very expensive.  First you mix the resin and hardener and then add the cement.  Epoxy cement has the greatest bonding qualities and will bond to almost anything, including steel.  Always wear appropriate safety gear when working with any of these compounds.  No matter what the repair, approach preparation the same way.  The surface to be patched must be very clean.  Scrape away any loose or broken concrete.  Brush away any dust or debris.  Hammer a few masonry nails into the opening to act as anchors.  If you are using one of the newer compounds, follow the directions supplied by the manufacturer.  If using a portland cement patching compound, be sure the surface you wish to adhere to is thoroughly wet before placing the mixture.  After a patch has set up it can be smoothed off with a finishing trowel.

Large Repairs

For big jobs, chemical patching compounds are too expensive and difficult to deal with in large quantity.  Unless you are repairing a simple crack or chipped corner, use ready mixed concrete.  If additional strength is required one of the previously mentioned compounds can be added.  Again, preparation is the key to success.  Make sure that the area is clean before starting the repair and dampen the area to be repaired before beginning. 

Filling Gaps In Concrete

If the instructions in this manual are followed carefully the only gaps that should remain in the park are the few expansion joints resulting from the various pours.  Whether they are significant enough to worry about is a judgment call that you will have to make.  If you decide to fill the expansion joints there is a variety of non-sagging, self leveling fillers that will work fine and can be purchased at masonry supply stores.  Most of these materials are applied similar to caulk.  If a filler is used, the area to be filled must be completely dry and free of any dirt or debris.  Follow the manufacturers directions for application and safety guidelines. 

Grinding Down Concrete

Great pains should be taken to avoid high spots during the placing and finishing of the concrete.  Once the concrete has set it will be hard as a rock and only expensive technology can fix it.  If you find that you have been left with a few high spots there are two choices.  Live with it and allow it to become one of the eccentricities of the park or grind it down.  To grind concrete you can use a concrete grinding wheel on an angle grinder or a diamond grinding wheel.  Both of these tools can be purchased at masonry supply stores.  Be sure to wear a proper respirator when grinding.  To avoid doing any of this, find the high spots during the placement and finishing of the concrete and fix the problem at that time.

Raising Low Spots in Concrete

Low spots (sometimes called bird baths) create problems, because the water does not run off the slab, but pools in spots.  This excess water will take longer to dry or must be removed with a squeegee.  To level off a low spot, mortar must be added and feathered into the surrounding area.  First roughen up the area to be repaired with a cold chisel and hand hammer.  Be sure to wear safety goggles.  Then completely wet the area with water.  Mix epoxy patching compound and a bonding agent to putty consistency.  For a small shallow spot use a square trowel to spread the compound level with the rest of the concrete surface.  If the spot is wide and deep, apply the compound in layers.  Allow the previous layer to cure completely before applying and leveling the next layer.  Finish the patching compound to match the existing surface.  Follow the manufactures instructions for curing.

Scaling or Spalled Concrete

Scaling is the flaking or peeling away of the surface of hardened concrete.  This may expose the aggregate and lead to loss.  Spalls are circular fragments of concrete that have been detached from the area by changes in the weather or a heavy blow.  To repair areas like this requires a feathered patch of mortar or patching compound.  Prepare the area by brushing away any loose material or dirt and then keeping the area saturated with water.  Trowel on a thin layer of epoxy patching compound.  Finish in the same manner as a low spot.

Fixing Broken Ends or EdgeS

Because of the inherent rough treatment that skateparks receive, ends and edges without coping are especially susceptible to breakage.  Because of the likelihood of an area being damaged again after repair you must decide if it is really worth patching.  If repair is required, begin by chipping away the edge until you have a groove.  Be sure to remove all of the damaged concrete.  Hammer in a few masonry nails to act as anchors.  Sweep away any loose concrete and saturate the area to be patched with water.  For a form, use a board the same height as the area to be repaired.  Hold the board in place with wooden stakes or bricks depending on where the damaged area is located.  Apply a brush coat of runny patching compound into the groove.  Before that compound dries fill in the groove with a firmer mix of patching compound.  Remove the form board as soon as the patching compound has set and smooth the patch with a square trowel or an edging tool.  Follow manufacturer instructions for curing.  Be aware that the patched area will not have the structural integrity of the original structure and will certainly chip again.

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