Concrete cracks for many reasons. It starts with the installation process. If the contractor didn’t mix the right amount of water and aggregate, the imbalance can lead to cracking. This installation mistake is usually due to a lack of contractor experience, but the homeowner pays the price.
Cracking can also happen when the contractor doesn’t create the right number of expansion joints in the material. In extreme heat, the slab is under pressure and expands. If it doesn’t have enough space, the buildup can create fractures in the surface.
The freeze/thaw cycle during Utah’s cold winters also contributes to cracking. The concrete absorbs melting ice and snow, which then re-freezes and applies pressure from the inside out.
Regardless of the reason for your slab’s damage, the fact remains: Ignoring the problem is not the best way to handle the issue.
Slabjacking Fixes Major Damage, But You Still Need Crack Repair
Concrete cracks become more noticeable when they grow long and wide. Typically, this happens when one portion of the slab begins to sink. When the result is that your driveway, patio or walkway starts to become uneven, that’s where slabjacking comes in.
Slabjacking is a fast, convenient way to bring your concrete back up to its original level without tearing it all out. We drill a hole in the sunken portion of the slab and pump grout underneath. Once the void is filled, the slab will slowly return to its normal position. The grout hardens quickly, providing a stable foundation for your newly even concrete.
But even when your slab looks as good as new again, you still need to have those concrete cracks filled, caulked and sealed.
Water Infiltration: The Real Problem
One of the main reasons your concrete started to sink in the first place was probably because of soil erosion. Water washes away the compacted soil underneath your concrete, which leads to sinking. When you seal the cracks, you’re keeping water out and stopping the erosion process in its tracks.
Also, keeping water out can help reduce the effects of the freeze/thaw cycle. Limit the amount of water absorbed by the concrete, and you will see a reduction in cracks that otherwise spread during winter.
It’s Easy on the Eyes
Also, filling and sealing concrete cracks leaves your slab looking clean, smooth and beautiful. It’s a definite positive that can enhance your curb appeal rather than detract from your home’s beauty.
Talk to Lift-Up Concrete when you have concrete cracks, sinking slabs or any other issue with your sidewalk, patio or other structure. We can help.
