If your concrete was damaged, would you even know? Not many of us go to great lengths to check every inch of our concrete garages, walkways, porches or sidewalks. It’s easy to neglect or forget, so most of us do. Unless you’ve built your home and poured your concrete yourself within the last few years, chances are you have some concrete damage on your property. Even if you take excellent care of your pre-owned or rented home, you cannot vouch for the previous owners. Hopefully your concrete was laid by professionals and has been well-preserved. But even if it was, erosion and natural wear and tear can take its toll. Damaged concrete is common, and repairing it is a critical, but simple step to ensure future preservation.
A crack in your concrete means the concrete slab is experiencing tension. This can be due to a variety of reasons. The concrete could be improperly laid. A corner of the concrete could be at an angle, putting pressure on the main area of the concrete slab. If heavy traffic is constantly pressing on a weak area in the concrete, it can compound tension to cause a crack.
Steel reinforcement bars inside the concrete can react with chemicals to corrode, causing torsion and cracking. Concrete cement is porous, meaning water can get into the concrete and then expand when it freezes. If the amount is significant, or it happens repeatedly over time it can crack and damage your concrete.
Concrete that has been improperly mixed or laid can crack due to too much moisture, air bubbles or blisters forming when the cement dries. The damage can be minimal, or it can cause serious problems for your future. Make sure you are very careful when laying concrete, or even better – get a professional to do it for you.
Let’s say you HAVE checked every inch of your concrete and have found a problem. The first step is to diagnose the problem. Is it just surface concrete damage? Is it a crack in the concrete? If so, how deep is the crack? Is the damage widespread or structural? What is causing the problem? Is your concrete bearing continuous heavy loads? Is exposure to the elements running your concrete into the ground? If you don’t fix the ultimate problem, then a quick concrete patch will not solve your problems.
For surface concrete damage and basic cracks, you can easily repair your concrete at a reasonable cost. Damaged concrete can be patched or filled to give a smooth, safe finish to your cement. Your concrete can then be coated with an epoxy coating or even an acid stain for a better visual effect. An epoxy coating can protect your concrete from weather and erosion, as well as providing another layer of protection against normal wear and tear.
If you have serious structural damage, crumbling or dangerous cement pads it may be a smarter option for you to replace your concrete with newer, safer, better concrete.
If you call concrete professionals like Hard Rock Concrete Coatings, they can assess, remove and replace your concrete for a reasonable, affordable price. Take a look at your concrete and contact us today!
