Concrete is known as the most durable material, but it is not immune enough to cracks. Cracks in concrete are a common issue; they occur due to several factors, including environmental stress, rapid drying, and improper mixing. Concrete cracks can become harmful for the foundation and strength of your property; however, taking timely preventive steps can reduce the risk of structural issues.
By understanding the root causes of concrete cracks and effective prevention techniques, homeowners can save their property from long-term structural damage.
This blog is your complete guide to understanding why concrete cracks, what causes them, what prevention techniques you can adopt, and long-term saving tips. Let’s start exploring!
Cracks in concrete are a common issue and can occur due to several factors, including environmental conditions and improper construction techniques. Understanding the causes can help you save your property from structural damage.
Here are the reasons discussed below:
Concrete requires a very little amount of water, but most of the residential projects prefer to use a large amount of water in the mixture for easy application. The excessive water starts evaporating, and as a result, you see shrinkage. The higher the water quantity, the more shrinkage will happen, which ultimately increases the internal stress and leads to cracks.
Concrete slabs can shrink up to 1/2 inch per 100 feet, which creates tension and pulls the material apart.
To prevent rapid cracking, it is essential to avoid excessive water in the water-to-cement ratio.
While proper curing is important for achieving strength and durability, many projects suffer from poor curing processes.
Proper curing helps concrete to achieve strength by keeping the moisture, while rushed, improper curing makes it vulnerable to cracks. The major factor for poor curing is rapid moisture loss; for example, if the concrete dries rapidly due to harsh hot weather, winds or a poor curing process, it becomes vulnerable to shrinking and cracking.
To ensure proper curing, it is essential to keep it moist for a sufficient period of time.
Concrete is a material that expands in hot weather and contracts in cold weather. This continuous process of expansion and contraction makes it vulnerable to getting cracks over time.
In areas where weather conditions are extreme, cracks are more common to occur. Expansion joints are introduced to properties to minimize this issue.
Concrete comes with a specific capacity for load-bearing but when the limits are exceeded, it makes concrete vulnerable to having structural fractures, and as a result, you see cracks over time. Thin slabs, parking heavy vehicles or placing large equipment causes concrete to crack. To avoid such cracks, it is advised to use rebar with concrete, or using higher-strength concrete helps to minimize the heavy loads damage.
Essential moisture in concrete placing is necessary. If the concrete dries too quickly, it loses moisture and makes it vulnerable to damage. As a result, hairline cracks occur that widen with time and weather conditions, which can be harmful for structural integrity. Using plastic sheets in the curing process can save the concrete from rapid drying.
After brand new, freshly poured concrete, you may feel excited and satisfied, but this feeling turns to the opposite when you start seeing cracks; the thought comes into your mind with disappointment: Did something go wrong?
Not at all; Cracks in concrete are a very common issue. Understanding the cause and taking preventive steps on time can save you money and time along with severe structural damages.
Here are the effective steps to prevent cracks:
It is important to know that if the cracks in your concrete are less than 1/8 inch wide, then it doesn’t require any special professional attention, although any pouring of material would make them more visible. However, cracks wider than this indicate a worsening of the issue for the future.
Here are some long-term saving tips discussed below:
Using high-quality material may seem like an expensive investment, but it contributes to long-term maintenance and repairs. Fewer repairs would be required.
It is advised to perform regular maintenance to avoid costly repairs. For example, minor cracks will charge you less than severe cracks, leading to being costly.For example, minor cracks will cost you less than severe cracks, which can be costly.
Water accumulation can lead to cracks; therefore, it is always beneficial to plan for a proper drainage system, which saves concrete from water accumulation.
Hiring unqualified contractors leads to poor workmanship, improper curing, and mixing, which ultimately increases the long-term maintenance and repair costs. While, on the one hand, hiring a local concrete expert, results in proper installation, reduces the likelihood of cracks, and reduces repairing costs for the future.
Cracks in concrete are a common and inevitable issue. But by using high-quality material, proper planning, and taking effective steps for maintenance and prevention, their negative impact can be minimized to save future costs. It also contributes to concrete durability and strength and avoids rapid repairs. By following proactive steps, homeowners and builders ensure the longevity, quality, and durability of concrete that saves you time and money for the future.
