![]() ![]() The perceived wisdom out there is to look at a crack in a concrete path or drive and try to force some kind of cement-based mortar or concrete into the existing crack. Repairing concrete is not as easy as one might think. With this in mind also ensure that any professionals that carry out the work are fully insured. If it’s not done correctly and subsequently fails again and causes significantly more damage then there is a good chance that this will also void your home insurance. If it turns out that the cracks you are repairing are structural in nature then these should only be repaired by a professional that knows exactly what they are doing, to ensure that it’s done correctly. ![]() Non-Structural: With non-structural cracks, these can simply be repaired by using a proprietary epoxy mortar or similar repair mortar used to fill the crack in full and then smoothed off over the top.Once cured the crack can then be filled and repaired correctly Structural: Structural engineer pinpoints the cause of the issue and a fix is put in place to stop any further subsidence and cracking.In terms of how a concrete crack is repaired will ultimately depend on what’s causing it in the first place: ![]() The above scenario is for a crack that is fairly innocent so you can imagine what would happen if a serious structural crack is left! Ultimately this can mean complete failure and collapse, so with this in mind, get any cracks sorted as soon as possible! Methods for Repairing Concrete Cracks So with this in mind, you can see that if left, a small simple crack that poses no threat can become a major issue. This is known as the freeze-thaw effect.Īs this happens over and over again the crack will get bigger and bigger, allowing in more water that in itself can then cause subsidence, damp and a whole host of other issues. When water freezes it expands and through this will force the crack open even more. If you have cracks in concrete surfaces it’s essential that you get them repaired as soon as possible.Īlthough a given crack may not be the result of any structural failings and pose the immediate threat of failure, if it’s left it will certainly get worse and potentially cause a whole host of other issues.Įven a very slight hairline crack will allow quite a bit of water in and during colder months if this is allowed to happen, any water sitting in the crack will freeze. Other reasons for failure can come from chemical damage to the concrete and also where any steel reinforcement in the concrete fails due to corrosion.Īs a general rule of thumb, narrow hairline cracks that don’t change over time can be repaired using a crack repair mortar of some kind, however if a crack is continuing to get bigger then it’s essential that you get a professional structural engineer to take a look asap! Why Repair Cracks in Concrete? has failed or the fact that the concrete mix that has been used to create the object isn’t strong enough and is now failing. is sinking, the foundation supporting the given structure, path etc. Structural issues can come in quite a range and include things like the fact the ground supporting the foundation, path, slab etc. However, if they continue to increase in size over time then this can be the sign of something much more serious such as structural issues. There can be a variety of causes for cracks appearing in concrete surfaces but by far the most common cause is due to settlement or simply shrinkage due to curing.īoth of these are fairly natural and once settled or fully dried should then stop. In this guide we look at the causes of concrete cracks and how to repair them properly so they don’t occur again, read on to find out more. Cracks in concrete, whether it’s a pathway, driveway, set of steps or concrete pad not only look visually unappealing but can be the sign of something more serious going on. ![]()
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