Concrete Cracks: What causes them and How to Prevent them

Concrete lasts longer compared to other building materials, such as gravel, as it is weatherproof and resistant to erosion. It might develop cracks, scaling or pitting because of the method of curing as well as various environmental factors. Cracks can make your concrete structures appear unattractive and that’s where the importance of commercial concrete repairs comes into the picture.

Cedar Hill Paving Ltd. has been providing concrete paving services to clients in the residential, institutional, commercial and industrial sectors for more than 40 years. Our technicians provide quality finished products every single time.

In this blog post, we discuss concrete cracks and how to prevent them.
Cracks are common in almost all forms of concrete surfaces. There are several causes, which includes:

• Excess water 

Concrete doesn’t need much water to achieve maximum strength. Too much water may be added to concrete on many job sites to make it easier to install. This can greatly reduce its strength.

Concrete shrinks as it hardens and dries. This is mainly due to the evaporation of the excess water in the mix. The shrinkage can force the concrete to pull apart resulting in the formation of cracks.

Know the amount of water that is to be poured for the mix. Ensure you have selected a reputable contractor, who has the experience to make a proper mix.

• Rapid drying

Rapid drying of concrete significantly increases the chances of cracking. Ensure that the required amount of water is used during construction to avoid rapid drying.

• Poor sub-grade preparation

Sub-grade preparation is very important to provide a good base for the new concrete. Sub-grade should be uniform and free from frost. Without proper support concrete can settle and crack.

A smooth sub-grade can prevent any restraint when the concrete shrinks and reducethe chances of cracking.

• Improper curing

Proper curing is very important to prevent early cracking of concrete. This process helps to maintain concrete moisture.

If the concrete surface loses moisture quickly, it will lead to a condition called map cracking. This condition does not affect the concrete’s structural integrity. In certain cases, a lack of curing can result in more severe cracking.
It is recommended to actively cure concrete to improve the overall integrity and prevent surface defects.

• Lack of control joints

Control joints are kept in concrete slabs to prevent random cracking. They can control where and how a crack appears. They also allow thermal contraction or expansion, without any damage to the concrete.

The joints placed should be equal to the slab’s depth and not more than two-three feet of the concrete’s thickness. 

Let Cedar Hill Paving Ltd. Help
You can count on us for the successful completion of your project.

Read our blog post - 7 Simple Tips to Protect Your Freshly Paved Driveway - to know how to protect your paved driveway.

Call us to learn more about our commercial concrete repair services.