Most Common Types Of Broken Concrete And How You Could Fix It

Concrete is one of the most rigid construction materials and is used for a variety of applications. You can see it in commercial and residential construction projects due to its durability, strength, and versatility. It's also used in sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and home installation such as concrete floors.

As it provides so much support and handles so much weight on top of it, concrete can break sometimes. These are usually in the form of cracks, which may be due to structural issues and temperature changes. Concrete may break if a lot of force gets built up inside it. Broken concrete is difficult to handle, and it might require commercial concrete contractors to fix it.

Let's learn more about the various types of broken concrete and their fixes.

Types Of Broken Concrete

When you first notice a crack or broken concrete, you might think something hasn't been appropriately done during construction. No matter if you're a resident or a construction worker, the sight isn't pretty. Thus, it's important to know the types and causes of these concrete cracks in the first place.

In this section, we'll look at the types of broken concrete.

Plastic Shrinkage Cracks

These can occur anywhere in walls or a concrete slab, but you'll find them usually on corners that point to the slab. You can also find these breakages near-circular areas in a slab, such as pipes, utility holes, and plumbing fixtures. Suck cracks hamper the appearance of your walls and the entire property.

Why does this happen? Before concrete hardens, it stays in a plastic state and has a lot of water content. When this water dries up and the concrete is set, empty spaces are left behind. These voids make the slab weaker. So, when some pressure is applied to the concrete, it breaks.

As concrete doesn't shrink around corners, the pressure or stress will cause the concrete to break from that area near the corner.

Overloading Breakages

Even though concrete is very heavy-duty and reliable, it isn't unbreakable. It can hand a specific amount of pressure until crushed. You might have heard that a concrete mix has a strength of 3000 or 5000 PSI, after which it won't be in the same shape.

No matter how high-quality the construction is, cracks may show if the concrete is subjected to excessive pressure. It can happen to polished concrete floors and stained concrete. When heavy materials such as metallic equipment, heavy trucks, or crates are put on sidewalks, the underlying smooth concrete may get damaged.

Another reason for these types of damages is rain or snowing, which causes the ground below to be wet. As the ground is soft, too, overloading the concrete will crack it.

Expansion Cracks

These types of breakages occur in sidewalks, residential projects, and even on parking lots. You might have seen an enormous crack running from one side of the pavement to another. It occurs as the concrete has stretched or expanded a bit.

Expansion cracks are created due to heat. When a smooth surface of the concrete is exposed to too much heat, the surface expands. When this happens, the concrete pushes against a slab or walls which are near it. Soon, due to lack of space, cracks appear on the surface, and it gets damaged.

Such cases must always be handled by commercial concrete contractors who have years of experience.

Settling Breakages

A surface of concrete can break when the soil below it isn't strong enough. Suppose a large tree is uprooted near a concrete surface. It will leave behind roots which will eventually decay, creating a space or void within the soil. On top of that, if a company conducts power line installation or pipe installation services in this soil, it will further get damaged.

As the company won't necessarily compact the soil again after finishing their work, the concrete on top of it will not get enough support. Soon, settling cracks will show, and the concrete will break away slowly, even if no pressure is applied.

Settling cracks can be seen in home concrete areas or on any commercial property. If you face such a situation, you'll get assistance from a concrete contractor in Nashville TN.

Cracks Due To Premature Drying

A concrete surface may be tough, but it can crack open if it gets too dry. Premature drying can cause two common types of concrete breakages - crusting and crazing cracks. Drying might occur on polished concrete or stained concrete.

Such a cracked surface will be difficult to use, as you'll probably think twice before putting something on it. You'll see these cracks in local residences and surrounding areas.

Crusting Cracks

Crusting cracks are created during concrete stamping, where a type of texture or pattern is applied on the surface. After it's done, the top of the concrete slab may dry out on a typical windy or sunny day. As it dries out way quicker than the bottom concrete, the upper layer becomes crusty.

So, when the masons embed the stamp on it, the surface might be pulled apart and damaged. These cracks may also appear on the external edges of the stamped concrete. They don't look nice and diminish the appearance of the entire surface.

Crazing Cracks

These cracks are very fine and look like cobwebs and broken glass. It happens when the top layer of concrete loses moisture very quickly. Although they don't look pretty, you will need a professional concrete contractor company to repair them.

Heaving Cracks

These types of cracks are also formed because of harsh climatic conditions. If a driveway or a patio is constantly exposed to extreme cold and snowfall, the surface condenses. After the cold is gone, the slab might expand to regain its normal shape. However, these sudden changes of shape don't work well with the concrete, and it breaks.

Heaving cracks can lift the concrete surface to a few inches above the ground surface. It will settle down again, but by then, the cracks would have been developed. It happens as the concrete slab area doesn't move freely along with the ground. It can happen even if the slab has never cracked before and is of high quality.

Another important reason for heaving cracks is tree roots. If a large tree is located near a concrete slab, its roots can lift the concrete surface above the ground. So, while building your patio or redecorating your driveway, always keep in mind where you place the concrete slab.

If possible, ask your concrete patio contractor to avoid laying it near a large tree to prevent heaving cracks.

How To Fix These Concrete Cracks?

Cracks are a nuisance to any construction, be it on stamped concrete, commercial property, or a home driveway! As most of you will not be skilled enough to resolve these issues, you have to let a concrete repair company handle the project. Fortunately, modern masonry has effective options to get the job done.

Now we'll look at the common ways to repair these concrete cracks.

Plastic Shrinkage Repair

The first step to fix shrinkage cracks is to reduce the amount of water in the concrete mix. It's important as when there's too much water in the mix, the shrinkages will increase.

When the concrete is in a plastic state, surface vibrators must rework the surface and close any cracks. The work will be completed after surface finishing. It is important that the timing of the vibrator is managed correctly so that the cracks re-liquefy and are covered up. Only re-trowelling will not be enough to fix these cracks, so ensure the vibrator is put to good use.

Most professional concrete contractors in Nashville TN use an evaporation retardant and the concrete crack filler that helps to cure these cracks.

Overloading Crack Repair

This repair process is more of a prevention method. As overloading concrete cracks in any construction or commercial city project is improper unloading on the concrete area, it must be checked. So, keep an eye out for what you're placing on the concrete and its weight. It is important for pre-cast concrete as well, as excessive weights can ruin its foundation and crack it.

In case you have to place a lot of weight on the concrete on your driveway, patios, or any other surface in your home, it's best to use professional lifting services in Nashville TN.

This will help in spreading the weight all over the concrete area and prevent overloading. Furthermore, also monitor the equipment and materials used on the concrete during construction.

Expansion Crack Repair

Many concrete contractors and builders use expansion joints in concrete to support its movement when the temperature changes. Sidewalks and walls can have expansion joints too. While these are a great way to prevent expansion cracks, they must be maintained to keep everything together.

You can start by cleaning the joints and keeping dirt or debris away. Then remove most of the water collected here, as it can seep in and cause more damage to the concrete.

Along with this, if you see any weeds or plants in the concrete or expansion joints, remove them immediately. Their roots can damage your concrete flooring and its foundation, so cut them off.

If you observe that the expansion joints are damaged and the cracks are too much to handle, you have to repair them or get new ones. No matter what you do, call professional concrete contractors Nashville TN.

Settling Crack Repair

These are difficult to handle and need some hard work. You can try out some home DIY methods like sanding the concrete surface and cleaning the area by removing the bits of drywall mud. Then, you can fill the cracks with a new drywall compound and apply wall tape to the broken area.

To get back to the normal surface of concrete, you need to apply two or three layers of drywall compound on the tape and sand every coat. After a coating dries, apply the next coat.

As you might understand, the process is a little tricky, and you might need assistance. Even after that, you might not get it right. You'll find many local masonry businesses who can help you here.

Premature Drying Crack Repair

The main reason behind drying cracks is a reduction in moisture levels, so the best condition for preventing these is a humidity level of around 100%. It might seem almost impossible to achieve, so you have to make sure that the concrete on your patios, floors, walls, or driveways can retain moisture. So, you can try sealing the concrete with a sealant which will also control the shrinkage.

You can also install contraction joints in the concrete with a suitable space between them. In some cases, some steel detailing processes might also help. However, in most cases, a suitable protective coating does the job.

Heaving Crack Repair

As heaving cracks appear due to temperature fluctuations and changes, you can start fixing them by implementing the acid staining process. Acid-stained concrete and polished concrete floors might keep away heaving cracks. You can also cover the floors with a layer of protective paint.

If the affected concrete is outside your house, you can place shades or roofs on top of it to protect it from cold and heat. You then have to figure out the sources of moisture, such as small plants and weeds. Remove them if they are near the concrete, as they can potentially damage stamped concrete or decorative concrete.

If you see a huge tree growing near your home, it will be best if you can get it removed. Contact tree removal services in your city for doing the work. The last method to keep heaving cracks away from your concrete walls is to reconstruct the house with a more robust footing system.

Why Hire Professional Services?

As you might have understood by now that all the above methods to protect your concrete are difficult to carry out on your own. If you try to experiment too much, you might do more harm than good to the concrete, which is already cracked.

So, you have to contact a commercial concrete business company that offers concrete repair services. If you live in the Nashville TN, area and are in search of a reliable construction company, then Nashville Concrete Experts are the best you'll find in the city. We have done plenty of masonry and construction work in the Nashville TN, region and built an excellent reputation among the other companies.

Our company has been in the construction-related business for quite some time now and has handled many types of projects - from decorative concrete and custom concrete profiling to personalized designs - our team can deliver it all. The Nashville TN team has years of experience and can deliver you quality services to get your cracks repaired. Just call us to place a service request or get a free quote.

Concrete Driveway Repair

Our team can efficiently work on cracked driveways and get them fixed. Driveways are prone to overload or expansion cracks as they're exposed to heavy loads and climate changes. So, our team uses concrete joints to protect your driveway and to strengthen them. This will be extremely important if you live in colder regions, where more cracks occur.

We use modern tools and equipment to create joints on cracked driveways in and around Nashville TN. Grooving tools are used in cold weather and a saw in hotter climates. These joints enhance the foundation of your driveway and will remove the cracks soon. Our business offers many joint patterns to select from. An expert professional will guide and show you all available options.

Sometimes, driveways may bleed water after they're finished. To fix this, we use a screed to level the finish and full bloat to stop water bleeding. Then, stamped or decorative concrete can be added to improve the finish. You might add a stain if you like.

Driveway Covering

To make the driveway durable and prevent cracks, our company adds a compound solution and covers the driveway using a curing blanket or a plastic sheet. This added layer of protection keeps the concrete safe from extreme weather conditions. It's these specialties that make us one of the best Nashville TN concrete companies.

Concrete Crack Repair

Our top-quality crack repair services include sealing and restoration. Sealing will make your concrete more durable and also enhance its protection. Our sealants will add an extra layer of protection to your concrete and prevent climatic conditions from damaging it. Doing this will also guard it against heavy loads kept on it, such as cars or bulky furniture.

Sealing is important for all customers, especially if you live in the colder areas or where winters are longer. It's because concrete is porous and easily absorbs water from melted snow or hail. It seeps in and slowly damages the surface. Over time, this can crack open the concrete on local projects such as patios and decorative flooring. It also weakens the slab's foundation.

To prevent all these hassles, you have to give us a call on our company phone number. We have been operating our businesses for many years and can provide you a free quote about the masonry work.

Sealing For Decorative Concrete

To preserve the design and color of the decorative concrete, our team uses sealing to guard it. That's why this sealant is different from the one used in fixing driveways. You need to apply this sealant more frequently than other types of sealants. It's because it might face the effects of heat, cold, rain showers, and other natural phenomena. All these can damage the appearance of the concrete.

Our masonry professionals at Nashville TN will take care of it with ease. We will apply the best quality sealant in the market to shield your decorative surface. Our fast services will get the job done in under 24 hours with the finest finish. It will also save you a lot of money spent on repairs.

An Investment For The Future

It's okay to do your housework business on your own, including fixing cracks. But not all of us have the time or patience to get the job done. Moreover, you might not do the job properly and may cause further damage to the concrete.

All you have to do is trust our repair services and sealant application process. It is an investment that will save you the costs of complete concrete replacements and repairs. So, call us today and work quote for free too! We'll offer you the best service you'll locally find in Nashville TN.

Tips To Prevent Concrete Cracking

Here are some tips to prevent cracks and ensure the longevity of your concrete -

• Avoid overloading the surface with heavy objects like trash cans and heavy machinery
• Cover new concrete with an insulating blanket to protect it from harsh weather conditions
• Add control joints early on to prevent damages. If they develop cracks, use a sealant on them
• Never add too much water to the concrete mix. Make sure the wet concrete is not watery but properly saturated
• Use gravel to compact the base before creating slabs for pavements or patios
• Steel reinforcements are used in many projects to strengthen the concrete

Wrap Up

Whether residential projects or public properties - cracks are not welcome anywhere. They weaken the concrete's surface and ruin the appearance. It's also unsafe to carry out daily activities like walking or parking your car on such a broken surface. Thus, it's recommended that you take care of cracks as soon as you see them, if possible.

There are many construction companies in Nashville, Tennessee, which you can call for masonry or crack repair work. If you want top-class services, we at Nashville Concrete Experts will handle all your issues related to concrete. We are a reliable, locally famous, and experienced company that will take care of any cracks and get the job done at the most competitive prices in the market.