Cementitious materials are ideal for creating modern concrete slabs and foundations that are strong and resistant to heavy loads and inclement weather. If you live in Texas, you have likely seen cracks across a variety of concrete surfaces. First, it’s important to note that not all cracks are bad. However, if the problem worsens and causes issues such as settlement and uneven surfaces, it may be time to reach out to professional floor leveling contractors.
Tilted Concrete Solutions is here to provide complete peace of mind for your settling concrete. Our team specializes in concrete leveling across Houston, relying on our proprietary polyurethane formula to fill gaps and restore the smoothness of your slab. Our company was born after frustrating experiences with local mudjacking specialists.
Today, our polyjacking pros will discuss a couple of questions we often receive regarding cracks amongst new and old slabs. If you’re worried about your sinking concrete, be sure to call us today for assistance!
What Causes Cracks in My Concrete Slab?
To start, it can help to understand what causes the cracks across your slab. The soil materials underneath, site conditions at the time of installation, building history, and other signs can all indicate whether the problem is cosmetic or serious.
- Shrinkage — The amount of moisture in your concrete mixture will play a large role in the curing process. Hot temperatures, improper concrete mixes, and more all lead to inevitable shrinkage, of which proper measures need to be taken to prevent excessive cracking.
- Settlement — Improper soil conditioning (for moisture) and compaction can both result in settlement issues. We commonly see this problem across Texas, as the complex soil profile can be hard to treat effectively before pouring a slab.
- Erosion — Texas is known to go through drought periods, followed by incredibly wet seasons, both of which can cause soil to shrink and loosen up. Over time, this weather cycle can compromise the stability of your subgrade, causing washout and eventually forming voids which leave your slab unsupported.
- Inclusions — A rigid piece of stone amongst softer concrete materials can result in uneven tensile stress, creating the potential for random and sporadic cracks. Voids in the mixture (often due to improper vibration and settlement practices during the pouring process) can also lead to cracks in the surface.
Why Are Expansion Joints Needed?
The high heat common across Texas can cause your concrete slab to expand. In order to relieve the pressure of this natural process and direct the flow of surface cracks, many builders rely on expansion joints. As our previous blog post pointed out, expansion joints are necessary for keeping large concrete slabs safe from cracks and damages.
Consumers can choose from wood, vinyl, polyurethane, and silicone joint fillers to give your concrete space to move while keeping moisture out. Tilted Concrete Solutions is here to deliver ideal joint repairs in addition to our concrete leveling services. Contact us today to learn more about our superior expansion joint materials and methods, and be sure to request your free estimate!
When Are Slab Cracks Serious?
In applications such as your garage floor or driveway, cracks in the slab are often signs that only the slab itself has been damaged. Beyond the tripping hazards associated with this problem, aesthetic concerns can also prove to be a major reason for reaching out to a local concrete leveling company. If the cracks in your concrete are deep enough, runoff water can begin to infiltrate the subgrade beneath, loosening compacted soil and eroding it until future failures occur.
If you notice a crack in your floor slab that continues through its junction point into the foundation wall, professional services may be required to prevent further damage. Tilted Concrete Solutions is here to provide complete support for sinking slabs, and will be able to deliver precise results that are fast, effective, and minimally invasive. In most cases, cracks that are less than ¼ of an inch are not considered serious. If your slab is dealing with cracks larger than this, it’s important to have a professional inspect the surface for signs of trouble.
Can I Avoid Cracks in My Concrete?
In most cases, cracks are unavoidable. The only way to truly benefit from a perfect slab is to ensure that the concrete is unrestrained by any means during and after the curing process. If you notice minor cracks along the surface of your concrete floor, actions can be taken to correct the aesthetic problems.
However, if the cracks in your slab begin to worsen, the use and longevity of your concrete can be at risk. Design defects, improper installations, settlement, and a variety of other factors may be to blame.
Call Today for Service
Tilted Concrete Solutions is here to provide comprehensive concrete leveling services to Houston homes and businesses. For years, our polyjacking pros have deployed our proprietary formula that relies on local materials to create a blend that provides the best results possible.
Contact us today to learn more, and be sure to fill out our form to receive your free estimate. We look forward to helping you achieve amazing results!
