Concrete cracks are quite common. We see them mostly on an everyday basis on the streets; in sidewalks and slabs. And although sometimes initially these might only pose an aesthetic problem, allowing a larger time window for them to be fixed, there are certain areas where these pesky cracks must be fixed with no time to lose: your home.
Most of the times when you think about your house the image that comes into your mind is that of the visible structure. After all, that IS the house; the space that you and your family inhabit. However the house as a whole is, in a certain way, like a pyramid.
At the very base of the pyramid we have the footing, which for all intents and purposes, is the bedrock of a building. Footings are typically made of concrete, with rebar reinforcements, poured into an excavated trench. Their main function is to distribute the weight of the structure, supporting the foundation, ensuring stability and resistance to prevent settling/sinking and against external pressures. Footings in general are very important, but more so in areas with troublesome soils like in our beloved state.
Then, after the footing comes the foundation, before finally the house itself. One thing that you have to remember is that a home is only as solid as its foundation, just like a foundation is only as good as its footer. The function of concrete is to provide support for the footer and foundation, so when there is a crack or more in either of these areas then it has to be addressed immediately as the entire home could sustain damage. Below we will talk about some of the causes of cracked concrete.
If the footer begins to break apart the foundation will start to settle and crack too. Issues with cracks in the footing is usually the result of concrete poured too thin, in wet areas or with insufficient steel reinforcement (something that unfortunately we’ve encountered all too often when inspecting/repairing foundations). Now, a good quality concrete repair work will stabilize the footer and also permit to repair the foundation.
A very common reason for cracked concrete is an inadequate reinforcement. Concrete is a very strong material in terms of weight bearing. It performs amazingly well with huge amounts of weight; just take a look at those roads, bridges and buildings all around us. The problem with concrete is that it is less effective in resisting twisting, shearing motions. That is why rebars exist. These are steel reinforcement bars that are used inside the concrete to provide extra strength.
Unfortunately, as we mentioned earlier, it is not uncommon to find concrete footings or foundations with little to no rebar. And what happens when there isn't enough rebar? Well, any shifting or twisting of the building will cause the concrete to crack, which will in turn lead to needing foundation repairs.
Another reason for concrete cracks could be that the footers are not deep enough, specially in shifting soils. When dug deep and pour on solid soil it will ensure that the shifting of the upper layers of soil won’t cause damage. A footer, now matter how well built will not resist constant motion of topsoil and that it is why it has to be poured on more solid ground, bedrock preferably. This will obviously require more digging during the construction phase.
A harsh reality is that many less-reputable contractors don’t take the extra effort of doing this, as they know that the foundation will hold together long enough for them to finish the job and bail with the customer’s money.
And now we go back to homeowner’s number one enemy in our state. Moisture.
We just mentioned that a strong footer and foundation has to have solid soil beneath it. Topsoil absorbs water with each rainfall give that it is too porous, causing it to settle and shift. Topsoil will never be able to provide a solid base of support and its moisture will remain as one of the most problematic causes of concrete cracks.
Wet soil however, can go even deeper than topsoil. For instance if there is an underground water source like a well nearby. So whatever plans to improve the condition of cracked concrete due to moisture, it needs to include definitive actions to remove the excess water. Diverting water away on the surface might be one method, or constructing a drainage system to carry the water away before it cases settling might be another.
Always keep in mid that one of the biggest streets to structural stability of your home is cracked concrete. If the footer or foundation begins to break apart, it will only be a matter of time before things go south, and you start noticing problems above the ground. Bricks can crack and fall away, windows and doors will not close properly and drywall may begin to split.
In order to minimize the damage and the dangers of cracked concrete, immediate action needs to be taken. So at the first sign of these, don’t postpone calling us. We will gladly help you evaluate, determine the cause of the problem and work to repair and stabilize your concrete, conducting whatever repairs and/or additional services needed to ensure the stability of your home and the safety of your family.
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