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6 types of concrete cracks and reasons behind those cracks

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6 types of concrete cracks and reasons behind those cracks

1. Plastic shrinkage concrete cracks

Wet concrete [plastic] has high volume of water. While draining water leaves empty passage between solid particles and create cracks. These cracks are very common and called as plastic shrinkage concrete crack. These cracks are hardly visible due to their tiny size. But these types of cracks get formed on surface as well as in inner part of concrete.

2. Expansion concrete cracks

Similar to balloons the effect of heat on concrete causes it to expand. As concrete expands it presses against any object in its path (a brick structure or an adjacent slab, for instance). If neither is able to stretch and expand, the force could cause cracks in concrete.

Expansion joints serve to create a line to create a isolation (or isolation) between static surfaces. Most often, they are made of an elastic material such as rubber, asphalt or even lumber, these joints are shock absorbers to ease the strain that expansion places on concrete, and to prevent cracking.

3. Heaving concrete cracks

When the ground freezes it could lift several inches before it thaws and settles back to its original level. The ground movement caused through the freezing/thawing process is an important factor that contributes to cracking in concrete. If the slab isn’t in a position to move freely in the earth and the slab is not free to move with the ground, it will crack.

Large tree roots could cause the same damage to the slab. When a tree’s roots are situated close enough to a slab, its roots could lift and break in the slab’s surface. Be aware of this when you lay the slab.

4. Settling concrete cracks

Setting cracks are typically seen when a void is created beneath the surface of concrete. Consider the time when a huge trees is cut down the area and the roots begin disintegrate and when the utility firm creates a trench for pipes, lines or other equipment. and doesn’t make sure to compact the soil as they fill the trench. These are just a few examples in which cracks that settle are likely to occur.

  1. Concrete cracks caused by overloading the slab

Concrete is a sturdy construction material, it has its limitations. The weight of too much on the concrete slab may cause cracking. If you are told that a concrete mix is strong as 2000 or 3000, 4000 or more than 5000 PSI, this is talking about the number of weight per square inch that it will need to crush that concrete slab.

In the case of concrete slabs that are used for residential purposes overloaded of the slab itself isn’t the time common. What is more likely to happen is excessive load on the ground below the slab.

After a rainstorm or snowmelt, if the soil below is wet and soft heavy load on the slab could cause the concrete to sink and cause cracks. Homeowners who have huge dumpsters or recreational vehicles in their drives are much more likely witness this kind of cracking.

  1. Concrete cracks caused by premature drying

Crazing cracks are very small cracks on the surface that resemble spider webs or broken glass. When the top layer of the concrete slab is dehydrated fast enough the possibility of crazing cracks is likely to be visible. Although they are ugly, crazing cracks aren’t structurally problematic.

Cracks that crack during crusting typically occur when concrete stamping is performed that is a method to add texture or patterns on concrete surface. On days with a lot of sunshine or wind when the top of the slab drys out faster than the bottom and the top layer of the concrete surface may be scalding. If the stamped stamp gets embedded it causes the concrete to break close to the joints that are stamped and can cause small cracks on the borders that form”stones” “stones”. Although they do not look good, the crusting cracks aren’t structural issues to think about.

It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a crack. A properly prepared site along with a high-quality mix and a good method of finishing can help in minimising the appearance of cracks and creating a more aesthetically pleasing concrete construction.

We cannot stress enough the importance of having a good mix design for concrete crack prevention. Take a look at the concrete checklist: Find the best mix for your Project that will help both you and the concrete provider to create the perfect mix for your concrete project.

Methods to repair concrete cracks

Epoxy Injections

Epoxy injections can be used to fill in cracks as small as 0.05 millimeters. With this technique, cracked surfaces that are exposed are closed by injecting epoxy beneath the concrete. It is crucial to determine and repair the cause of cracks prior to injecting the epoxy in the cracks, otherwise cracks will continue to appear over and over. Issues like leaks and silt contamination can affect the effectiveness of epoxy, so it is advised to correct these issues prior to injecting the epoxy to ensure that it lasts longer. Repairing cracks requires an enormous amount of tact and skilled execution. You must ensure that the person performing the repair is knowledgeable about his job.

Routing and Sealing

Sealing and routing cracks is much more frequent and more straightforward method to repair cracks. However, it should be utilized only in instances when only repair to the crack is needed and structural repairs aren’t required. The method is simply widening the cracks in the surface before sealing and filling it by using joint sealants. It is crucial to consider the width-to-depth aspect ratio when sealing the joint to ensure that there is sufficient space for motion.

Stitching the Cracks

The stitching technique is a straightforward and durable method of repair of damaged structures. In this method holes are made in order for entrance and exit points on the damaged surface. A variety of U-shaped metal staples are then inserted into the holes and are firmly anchored to the holes using grout or epoxy-based system.

Drilling and Plugging

If you have to fix vertical cracks running in straight lines it is a great solution that is cost-effective and quicker process. In this technique vertical holes are made into the cracks, and a key is made through the passage of a grout. The grout key assists in preventing leaks and subsequent loss of soil from the walls.

There are several alternative concrete repair techniques, including Gravity Filling Dry Packing overlay, surface treatments as well. It is possible to choose any of these options based on the type of crack and whether they require structural or remedial repair.

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