One of the most frustrating things as a homeowner is to find cracks in newly poured concrete. Whether you tried to tackle the concrete leveling project on your own or hired a concrete contractor, a shoddy job just winds up wasting time and money. It’s no secret that properly installed concrete is one of the most durable and long-lasting products used around the house. However, it’s imperative to be skilled and detailed in the placement of concrete. In this blog post, we will get to the bottom of why concrete cracks and the importance of trusting a professional concrete contractor for concrete repair.
- Excess water in the mix – Contrary to popular belief, concrete doesn’t require much water to achieve maximum strength. Unfortunately, homeowners tend to use too much water while performing their own concrete services. Though water may make the concrete easier to install, it also significantly reduces its strength. Over time, excess water can lead to shrinkage, the main cause of cracking. You’ll find that the wetter or soupier the concrete mix, the greater the shrinkage will be. The concrete slabs will literally be pulled apart as a result of the shrinkage. What can you do to ensure that you don’t have excess water in the mix? It never hurts to know the allowable water for the mix you’re pouring. At the very least, be sure to choose the most reputable concrete contractor you can find.
- Rapid drying of the concrete – The possibility of concrete cracking also increases with the rapid drying of the concrete slab itself. You probably know that the chemical reaction causing concrete to go from its liquid to solid state requires water. This “hydration” process continues to take place for days and weeks following the pouring. To prevent the rapid drying of the concrete, make certain that the necessary water is available by adequately curing the concrete slab.
- Improper strength concrete poured on the job – Did you know that concrete is available in different strengths? The level of strength needed for one job site could differ greatly for another. Again, we advise that you consult your concrete contractor to verify the strength that will be poured.
- Lack of control joints – The purpose of control joints is to help concrete crack in more desirable spots. It’s best practice for the joints to be of the slab’s depth and no more than three times (in feet) of the concrete’s thickness (in inches).
Turn to Concrete Leveling Technologies for Your Project
For years, Concrete Leveling Technologies has provided concrete services for homeowners and businesses throughout central Texas. We realize that concrete repairs and concrete leveling in the past were messy, expensive, and time-consuming. That’s why our concrete repair team uses foam to repair settled concrete. Instead of using an invasive, short-term method such as mudjacking, our concrete leveling team turns to the innovative, long-lasting solutions of our foam. Not to mention, the foam doesn’t break down over time or release harmful chemicals into the soil, making it a more environmentally responsible option as well.
The professionals at Concrete Leveling Technologies in Austin know how to level concrete in the most effective way possible. From concrete stabilization to expansion joints and caulking, it’s easy to see why we’re the go-to concrete contractor in the area.
Give us a call today for your free estimate.
