Concrete is a popular construction material because of its durability and longevity. However, it is also susceptible to cracking. If this starts to happen to your concrete pavement, it’s best to call on a flooring contractor to fix the issue before it worsens beyond repair. To help you keep your concrete smooth and functional, here’s a closer look at how it can develop cracks.

Why Does Concrete Crack?

1. Premature Drying

Rapid drying of concrete can lead to fine surface cracks, which are not a structural issue but can diminish the slab’s appearance. As such, make sure the concrete maintains adequate levels of hydration throughout the curing process. If the concrete is losing moisture too fast, you might need to lightly spray it with water. 

2. Excessive Water

Along with aggregate, cement, and sand, water is an essential ingredient in concrete. As concrete
cures, however, it loses moisture and begins shrinking. A concrete mixture that had exessive water might shrink too much, adding tension to the slab, which could cause it to crack.

Before making a concrete mix, determine the amount of water you will need. For example, if you want a strong foundation for your home, a mix of 1 part cement, 2.5 parts sand, 3.5 parts aggregates, and 0.5 parts water works well.

3. Overloading

While generally strong, concrete still has different load limits. Using the wrong type of mix for the required compressive strength can cause the concrete slab to crack under excessive pressure. Have a flooring contractor patch the cracks and try to reduce the slab’s load.

4. No Control Joints

Control joints are grooves impressed on fresh concrete. They serve as spots for the concrete to crack while shrinking, instead of randomly breaking on the slab. Ideally, control joints should be a quarter deep of the slab’s thickness and spaced on the surface.   

5. Loose Ground

Often, concrete cracks due to the loose soil underneath. Settling soil happens for many reasons, but it likely occurs because it was not compact enough. It causes the concrete slab to break as it loses purchase with the moving soil. Fix any issues with the substrate first before stabilizing the cracks. 

At the first signs of cracks on your concrete, turn to Tri-State Coatings & Repair in West Chester, OH. Proudly serving homes and businesses in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, they can repair damaged concrete and apply top-notch floor coatings and concrete sealer for added protection. Get in touch with one of their flooring contractors at (513) 777-1234 or learn more through their website.