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Yes, it is worth repairing concrete cracks. Concrete cracks are normal, and they can be hard to keep from appearing. However, it is worth repairing cracks in concrete for many reasons. For example, it’s possible to repair concrete to the point where the repair is almost invisible. Also, if the crack is left alone, it can become bigger and more expensive to fix over time.

Concrete shrinkage cracks are very common and should be expected. Even professionals end up with shrinkage cracks on newly poured concrete slabs. Remember that these cracks are not harmful to the slab's strength, though some homeowners do prefer to fill in the cracks for aesthetics. When installing concrete, you can avoid ample concrete shrinkage cracks by avoiding hot, sunny, or windy days.

A concrete overlay on an existing slab can range from 1/4 of an inch to 2 inches thick, though a minimum of 2 inches is often recommended to ensure stability and quality. The ideal thickness depends on the condition of the existing concrete and the depth of any planned designs or imprints. Before applying the overlay, it's important to repair and clean the surface, then apply a primer. For specialized work like a stamped concrete overlay, hiring an experienced contractor is recommended to determine the correct thickness and ensure the new layer isn't too high or heavy. For context, most standard concrete slabs are between 4 and 6 inches thick.

Yes, you can pour new concrete over old concrete, but you need to apply a concrete bonding agent to the existing concrete to ensure the new concrete sticks. Keep in mind that even with a bonding agent, large cracks and other flaws will still come through. If the concrete has heaved, settled, or cracked, pouring new concrete on top won’t address any root structural problems. Removing the existing concrete and rebuilding will be your best solution in that case.