Someone once told me that there is only two types of concrete in this world….the type that has cracks in it and the type that is GOING to have cracks in it. That always stuck with me. Today I want to share a quick tip on how to fill those cracks for good.
Our garage has several cracks in the floor and it definitely needed some repair before we could use the epoxy coating on top.
Now I want to throw a time-out in the mix right now to disclaim something because I think there has been some confusion to a few select people. A few folks have emailed me and expressed a concern and I would like to address it here and now. Some people think that because I tell you the brand of something that it means that they were sponsoring that post…with no disclosure. That’s just simply not true. I would be a very wealthy woman if I was paid a fee every time I named names. In fact, I would just randomly name names JUST TO GET PAID. Yes, that would be amazing and I would buy you all drinks at the bar if I saw you and then invite you on my private yacht but only after you got a personal makeover. But the truth is….if you don’t see that disclaimer at the top of a DIY post…it’s not sponsored. I also have a strict policy of “You can’t tell me what to write” to brands. I have not sold my blog soul to earn a buck. And the fact is…even if a blog post was arranged and the product sucked (sorry mom for the ‘s’ word)….I would NEVER post about it and lie about the validity of that product. I am just not that person. When someone approaches me about a sponsored post and we try it out and it didn’t work out, you as a reader would never even know. We send our formal review sheet back to the company and tell them our thoughts and how we appreciate them allowing us to try the product but we can’t accept any fee and will not be writing about it. AND THEN…we pay taxes on something that failed. Yup. It’s true….everything you receive as a blogger, you pay taxes on. That is why we are VERY careful about our vetting process when it comes to products we get for “free” and make sure we do our due diligence to make sure it is the best solution….because whether we pay full price or just taxes, it is still money out of our pocket. And money coming out the pocket BURNS.
I wanted to clarify that for some folks…because I LOVE being a blogger. But I don’t like being accused of doing something shady. We as bloggers also have responsibilities….like producing new content all the time, making sure projects are fun and fresh, and teaching people that new products and services are out every single day…as well as being honest in our posts and fair to our readers. Over 75% of my content is not sponsored in any way….and the posts that are, I am proud to produce because I believe it is valuable in introducing people to new concepts, projects, services and products AND because I believe I deserve to be paid AND because it helps me sock away money for my kids. And that my friends is called the American dream. Mic drop.
OK so drama and clarification aside….back to cement cracks.
My garage is all banged up and to get it ready for the epoxy finish, I needed those cracks to disappear. If you are looking to do a simple repair like this, it is really inexpensive and there are different products for the size of the crack you have. Make sure you know what size crack you have!
We used Rust-Oleum’s Concrete Patch & Repair.
It is a super fast and super easy process. It has two parts that you mix together to get a crack filler. Basically you use one ‘serving’ of Part A and two ‘servings’ of Part B and mix them together on a piece of cardboard.
I eyeballed it and did a serving about the size of a tablespoon. I simply wiped and swirled and mixed till the mixture looked shiny and then made sure the cracks were clear of dust and any debri.
Using a drywall knife, you simply push the mixture into the crack and scrape off any excess. It’s super simple.
I also discovered some low areas in our floor and some divots that needed a tiny bit of filler and so I just kept on making sure the entire floor was really smooth. This particular product is shiny and stays shiny even when it is dry so that is something to keep in mind. It may not look dry but if you waited the full time….it most likely is rock solid.
Bada boom bada bang. Easy peasy. About four hours later, ours was ready to go. If you are looking for a nap time project – this is a really, really easy one. We have used other cement fillers so I am eager to see how this one holds up! I am also hoping that no future cracks pop up. But if they did, we still have PLENTY left over in this container. In fact, we used about 1/4 of the container and it covered a LOT of cracks….so one package goes a long way.
So there you have it people. Another crack project. I think I have posted about a dozen different posts with crack in the title…so be sure to check those out 🙂 I have a big painting post for you tomorrow about how we finished the floor!
Looks great! AND I love the sneak peek at the wall colour! Looking fab-u-lous! Also, the ‘mic drop’ comment made me laugh and also made me think of a particularly funny “Grace and Frankie” episode. Have you seen that show? Hilarious! Thought you may like it if you haven’t seen/heard of it already. Random comment yes. Anyway, fun following along on the Pimp-my-garage project(s).
This looks so easy! How do you think this would do on concrete walls? We have some large cracks in our basement. The source of the cracks has been taken care of structurally (major piering work done), but the cracks still remain and are quite an eye sore. We would also like to have them sealed for peace of mind that no water can get in. Think this product would work well for that too? Thanks for all that you do!
I see blue walls! 🙂 Can’t wait until the floor reveal tomorrow…
Dang, that stinks that you’re getting shade for sharing what brands/products you use and love. 🙁 For the record, it’s always been really easy for me to tell which posts are sponsored and which are not. And seriously, if you don’t share those details about what brand/type a product is within a post, then you get tons of questions about it in the comments! Keep up the good work Katie and Jeremy!
This is a super general question but how do you chose one product over another? Are there certain buzzwords you look for on the packaging? Do you tend to stick with certain brands? Do you research products before heading to the store or just check them out once you are there? I was shopping at Home Depot the other day and was super overwhelmed by all of the options so any advice on how to pick a product would be super helpful. Thanks.
I’m honest to God just curious, so please don’t take this as a dig. I am wondering why you don’t post about the products you don’t love. It seems like that might add to the perception that you are only doing sponsored posts for the big bucks. Like you’ll say that anything is amazing just because you’re getting paid. Plus, I think it’s often just as valuable to read negative reviews so that you can choose to stay away from the product. Again, I’m not hating at all. I’m honestly just curious. Thoughts?
Love your transparency! Beautiful job as always!
I just wanted to take the time to comment after reading your past two posts… I LOVE your blog. That’s coming from someone who will never do 90% of the projects you post, too. And I mean that in the best way. It’s not that I wouldn’t love to be as amazing at DIY as the Bowers, but I’m more of a “talk about hiring someone for five years” before taking the plunge kind of person . So, the way y’all delve into projects, fit them in while raising your precious boys, and work as a team is very admirable. All that to say, that I enjoy reading all of your posts because you are relatable, funny, and genuine. I am impressed with your ability to explain your processes and make it interesting, even to those of us who won’t take on the same projects. I think you’re very forthright about your endeavors and sponsors, and that is appreciated. In case you are only getting emails from people worried about your kickbacks, I just want you to know that a daily dose of Bower Power brings information and enjoyment to me. Thank you for working hard for your readers!
I love your blog and don’t mind sponsored posts. You are always up-front with your content.
Out of curiosity, on your blog and others, there are embedded adds that look like additional photos in the post. The adds appear to be random, unrelated to the post content and they disappear when viewing content in read mode. (I read blogs on my old smartphone.) I don’t know if this is something you can control, if it is something I could block with phone settings, or if I just need a new phone, but it would be great to block them somehow. Sorry if I am just being a dinosaur. Just thought I’d ask since you were talking about adds and this is sort of in the same area.
I’m looking forward to your floor reveal. My garage floor was painted years ago with floor paint that ended up being slippery when wet. Not a good feature in a garage. Enough has chipped off over the years that it is no longer a hazard, but it is ugly and I’ve been wanting to overhaul it without making it slippery again, so your project is timely for me.
Totally agree with you, Shannon!
So most ads these days are driven by ad networks. All my ads are delivered through an ad network…and that network has a program that bases the ad content on what your searching and your viewing history. SOooo through the power of the internet and the internet magicians, if you shopping for a new car and your looking at the details of mid sized sedans….when you click over to Bower Power, you might see ads for Accords. Does that make sense? So that is how the content is determined. The location of the ad within the post is determined also by the ad network who knows what spots make the most money (aka view ability). They seem random but that is like squishing a side bar into the post…and they think it works better for the ads than making everything super small. At least that is my understanding of it.
xo – kb
Thank you Michelle. It is so nice to hear the supportive comments too. I definitely blog for myself but hearing that it is helpful or entertaining is the best encouragement.
xo – kb
Hi Katie,
Actually that is a good question – and I have even answered it before from someone else! It’s because in general, negative reviews are only helpful to someone that is already looking at that specific product to use. Also – I have posted negative reviews of things in the past (maybe not sponsored but in general when something failed us) and readers do not respond to it. It’s kinda a moot point to them. So it’s actually MORE helpful if I write an honest review in a store review section (like on HomeDepot.com or Amazon or Target)….those negative reviews also are more for product development – so telling the company directly is a big deal and for me, if it’s not being entertaining, helpful or interesting – it doesn’t qualify as fun content for Bower Power.
xo – kb
I do appreciate certain brands because I know what guidelines that they work with but in general, I do a lot of research first and then go to the store to see what they have available. I love looking up things that work on blogs because I do feel like they give more tips and I also search forums and reviews.
xo – kb
Why do people get so worked up about sponsored vs not? I couldn’t care less about it. I don’t want blogs I read to become one big ad all the time, but I certainly think people should make money for the work they put into their blogs. Plus, if a product is featured, it typically introduces me to a product I didn’t know existed but it’s still on me to research it myself to make sure it’s the best to use in my project. Keep doing you, Katie!
Did people really accuse you of that? That’s ridiculous, I can only think they must be new readers or something. I’m sure there are bloggers out there who show sponsored content without disclosing it, but that’s so dishonest and NOT AT ALL the vibe your blog puts off.
Can’t wait to see what happens next with the garage, I’m dying from the suspense. Seeing you tackle your garage is inspiring me to do the same with mine. Our garage is in dire need of some major makeover and at the very least, I now have some ideas as to what should be on my to-do list!
As a highway engineer, I can say that yes, concrete cracks. The trick is to control where those cracks appear. That’s why sidewalks have joints/manufactured cracks every 4-5 feet. A three-car garage is really too large of an area to not put any joints in the concrete. And every engineer’s pet peeve: cement is the powdery stuff that goes into concrete, but the finished product is not called cement. My PSA for the day. Carry on…
“AND because I believe I deserve to be paid”
Amen. Frankly I think it’s sexist to argue that a mom with a DIY/shelter blog should be working for free. How is this not a real job? Because it’s a woman writing about domestic things? GAH!
You work hard and are very talented, Katie. I hope you get paid a lot.
Katie I love your sponspored posts- i want to thank you for introducing me to Blue Apron (love it) and I just used legacy box- both things I never would have come across accept for your blog. So thanks! I trust your words and experience!
I could care less whether a post is sponsored or not as long as it’s a good, meaty post. I’m perfectly capable of letting my eyes gloss over the disclaimers and legal mumbo jumbo and focusing on the pictures, tutorials, and content. I know you need that there so you can make money, and I can keep being entertained! Mutual benefit. You do you, boo boo.
People certainly get very worked up about how you earn a living. So bizarre.
Agreed!
Thank you Keely. I try REALLY hard to make sure that I am always upfront!
xo – kb
Hooray Flora! To be honest – isn’t the garage just so intimidating?! I think it’s hard to tackle because it has a stigma of being a man space!
xo – kb
OOOOOhhh…goood to know! I will have to remember that tidbit. So concrete is the hardened version? Is that correct?
xo – kb
Right? A man writes a website about financial advice and he gets paid. Why can’t I? I believe as long as it is fully disclosed – everyone can write what they want!
xo – kb
Thanks girlfriend!
xo – kb
Thank you Jasmin. I never want to lose that trust!
xo – kb
Those are really good questions and I honestly don’t know. We had cracks in our cinderblock walls in our old house and used a hydraulic cement compound to fill those…but that would not be as smooth as what we needed for our floor….so two very different products for two different needs. I can pass the questions along to the some of the research folks at Rust-Oleum – those guys love this kinda issue and they could recommend something if you want! They are totally those scientific types that test products and develop new things all the times to solve problems and they geek out over stuff like this!
xo – kb
This may be a silly question but does it then need to sanded before painting like a wall would?
So if there is any repairs that need to be made or the paint is oil based, it may need sanded. It’s hard for me to say exactly because I don’t know your particular situation. Usually the degreaser is enough with a good primer but there are cases where you need to sand for extra adhesion.
xo – kb
So cool to see your garage studio coming together!! My hubs is contemplating putting his office in our next garage, so I’ll be using you as inspiration for that project 🙂 random, I actually used the concrete subfloor in our playroom as a temporary flooring solution, and filled all our cracks and divots with regular drywall filler! It’s held up great the last year and a half, but this is an indoor space and was also just a ‘temporary’ solution. It’s not an approved method for concrete floors though, so try at your own risk lol!!
Also, love and appreciate your integrity!! I always feel like you are very upfront on your blog, and love that you took the time to address this and stand up for yourself! You are such a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for the diy community, and it’s a shame to see people questioning your character in the midst of that. Keep being amazing guys!!!
Thank you Robyn! I really LOVE the fact that I get to be a small tiny part of this DIY blogging community – I would hate to ever shame it!
xo – kb
I’m curious about future cracks once you put the new metallic product down. Will you be able to seal a crack with this product and resurface with the metallic fairly easily?
I don’t usually comment but I read all the time. I think your blog is a model for how sponsored posts should be done, because not only are you SO up-front about sponsorship but also you always seem to add “value” to sponsored posts. Like, I’m never going to get a fancy and expensive photo printer, but in your posts about stuff you can do with the photo printer, you’ve given me some fun and creative ideas. You seem to think about how you can showcase a product (essentially an ad, and I have no problem with that!) while still giving your reader something interesting, creative, and fresh. You also do a ton of non-sponsored posts, so there’s a great balance! It’s funny that people thought any product mention was sponsored, though I can see why they might wonder… I’ve always thought you made the difference very clear.
Love the mic drop! ha!
Well my fingers are crossed that I don’t have future cracks! ha! I can seal a crack with this product if one comes up and I know I can do another layer of the paint if its within a certain time frame….I just don’t know about after that. I will have to see!
xo – kb
My name is Dawn I lost my daughter and counceling and thing medications ect have not worked for my deopression. Im reaching myself to blog. NOT FOR MONEY IT IS FOR HEALING. IF U HAVE ANY ADVICE. ID B GREATFUL constructive criticism is.
Kindest Regards
Dawn
dmqjerms@Gmail dot-com
I am so sorry Dawn! My heart is broken for you! Please seek out someone to talk to….I know that depression is real and dangerous and you should talk to someone professional to start.
xo – kb