Which cracks can be repaired as part of a restoration?
Surface cracks in a slab that is otherwise stable. Hairline cracks, shrinkage cracks, small chips, holes and old patches can all be cleaned out and filled before the surface is recoated. In our own photos, a long crack in a stamped concrete drive is filled with grey repair material, the brick edging beside it is taped, and the coating is then applied over the whole surface.
The crack and small defect repair page describes the filling step in more detail, and concrete painting covers the recoating of plain concrete afterwards. If the slab is stamped concrete, the stamped concrete restoration page explains how the texture is preserved.
Which cracks are a warning sign rather than a repair job?
Cracks that show the slab is moving. A filled crack will reopen if the ground under it keeps shifting, so we look for the following before quoting a restoration in Torrox or anywhere else.
- One side of the crack sits higher than the other (a step)
- The crack is wide enough to fit a coin and is still widening
- Cracks radiate from a manhole, drain or tree
- The slab sounds hollow or water disappears into the crack
- Repairs you made before have already reopened
In those cases the base needs attention, and our sister site's page on diagnosing the cause of subsidence is the place to start. We would rather tell you that plainly at the photo stage than paint over a problem and see it return.
Will the repaired cracks still be visible after coating?
Much less, but often not invisible. After filling and two coats of tinted resin, a repaired crack generally blends into the surface at normal viewing distance. Close up, especially on stamped concrete where the filler does not carry the pattern, you may still be able to trace the line. We would rather set that expectation now; our photos of filled cracks show what the stage looks like before coating.
The guide on surface preparation explains why cracks are opened and cleaned before filling, and why the filler must cure before the coating goes on.
If appearance matters most to you, bear in mind that the tint you choose changes how filled lines read on the finished surface. We can apply a small trial patch over a repaired crack so you judge for yourself before the whole surface is coated, and you can see it in a photo if you are away.
Which parts of Torrox do we cover, and what about paperwork?
The whole municipality, including Torrox Costa, El Morche, El Peñoncillo, Torrox Park and Castillo Bajo-Conejito. Torrox is in the Axarquía comarca, covered on the sister site's Axarquía hub, and our areas page lists all other municipalities. Torrox town hall fixes the procedure for outdoor paving work in its current ordinance, so it is worth asking before work starts. Send us a photo and the approximate m² – free, no-obligation quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fill the cracks without recoating the whole drive?
Yes, but filled cracks then stand out as lighter or darker lines on the old surface. That is why crack repair is usually followed by a coating over the whole area. If you only want the cracks sealed for now, we can do that and coat later.
What do you fill cracks with?
With an acrylic filler or a repair mortar, depending on the width and location of the crack. The crack is cleaned and, where needed, opened slightly first so the filler has something to grip. The choice is explained in the written quote.
One side of the crack is higher than the other. Can you fix that?
Not with restoration. A step across a crack means the slab has moved, and filling it would leave the step and probably reopen. The cause needs to be found first; our sister site for sunken paving and subsidence diagnosis covers that.
Do you work in El Morche and Torrox Park?
Yes. El Morche, Torrox Park, Torrox Costa, El Peñoncillo, Castillo Bajo-Conejito and the rest of Torrox are inside our area. Send the address or a map pin with photos of the cracks and of the whole surface.
How should I photograph the cracks?
Take one wide photo showing where the cracks are on the whole surface, then close-ups with a coin or a tape measure next to the widest ones for scale. A low-angle photo across a crack shows whether one side is higher.
Will my repaired cracks come back?
If the slab is stable, a filled and coated crack usually stays closed. If the ground is still moving, any crack can reopen, which is why we look for signs of movement before quoting. We do not offer promises about how long a repair will last.
My terrace has cracks around the drain. Is it the same job?
Usually yes, if the area around the drain has not dropped. Cracks are cleaned, filled and coated over. If water runs away from the drain or collects beside it, the fall may have changed, and that needs checking first.
Can you repair chips on the edges of steps?
Small chips and holes on concrete steps and edges can be filled as part of the preparation before coating. Broken or loose edge pieces are a different matter and may need rebuilding, which is outside restoration.
Does the coating hide old patch repairs?
It evens out the colour, so old patches stop standing out as different shades. If a patch is loose or hollow, it is removed and refilled during preparation, otherwise the new coat would sit on a weak spot.
Do I need permission from Torrox town hall?
Possibly. Andalusian law puts minor works without a project under a responsible declaration, but which procedure applies to your restoration in Torrox is set by the ordinance, and the town hall can tell you. We do not prepare permits; the owner checks with the town hall.