Common Concrete Repair Situations

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Dallas is a large metropolitan city in north Texas where many American dreams begin and bloom. An economically-rich, income tax-free, and cosmopolitan city, it bustles like an extension of New York. Its array of impressive skylines, framed by glass, steel, and concrete, makes it a truly contemporary world. However, in spite of its economic and social progress, there is little that can stop unsuspecting calamities and other forms of attack to hurt human-made slabs and buildings.

 

Concrete makes up a large part of Dallas, as it is a highly durable material that can withstand elements that wood and stone cannot. Nevertheless, it does not make concrete immortal, and when faced with extreme changes in temperature, chemical makeup, and natural forces, it can shatter. Whether it is your home or local community, traces of broken concrete can be dangerous. A service specializing in concrete repair needs to address the situation immediately. With regard to concrete repair Dallas TX has many options. You may be wondering what can break such a robust material, so here are some common repair situations that can give you a better idea of what causes concrete to crack.

 

Shrinkage

 

Concrete is wet during the mixing process. You are most likely to have seen large vehicles carrying a circling drum – that motion keeps the concrete inside activated and prevents it from drying. Once the concrete dries, it settles but begins to lose moisture over time. That is because the water content in the mixture gradually evaporates, and when it does, the material starts to shrink.

 

The pressure during the natural shrinking process sometimes causes concrete to crack. It will produce a unique crack pattern called a “check crack,” which only appears on the surface of the concrete. Although it is not always necessary to fix, it may still concern you. In that case, consider hiring a contractor to apply an anti-fracture membrane to prevent the crack from spreading, or cover it up completely.

 

Chemical Cracks

 

Chemicals can have detrimental effects on concrete. For one, sulfates are known to weaken the chemical binder in concrete, causing it to crack and break apart. The breakdown of sulfate ions from sources of water is the primary cause of a sulfate attack. If you live in an area close to sources of water, such as the beach or pier, then it is most likely that sulfates cause your concrete slabs to crack. Seawater is especially dangerous as it has corrosive effects on concrete. When a crack forms, further exposure to damaging chemicals can cause the crack to widen or spread.

 

Additionally, water can also cause mold, mildew, and insects to appear – all of which are unpleasant and can cause health issues. As a result, it is pertinent to contact a service for concrete repair immediately. When it comes to concrete repair, Dallas, TX has many specialized experts. They will assess the situation and decide to do a full or partial-depth repair, depending on the damage.

 

Structural Damage

 

One of the most common concrete repair situations is structural damage. Generally, it is caused by problems during the construction process, such as swollen soil or physical damage during casting and de-shuttering. Other foundational damages usually accompany it, but there are also times when the only structural issue is cracked concrete.

 

The expansion and contraction of concrete can also cause structural damage during extreme temperatures. With Dallas’ summers nearly reaching a hundred degrees, this form of cracked concrete is rather common. However, this issue still needs to be addressed immediately, as any foundational damages can cause the building or slab to more easily break apart during natural disasters.

 

Although these situations are the most common culprits that contribute to cracked concrete, there are many other reasons why concrete is not in its best shape. For instance, the earth naturally shifts, so cracks are, at times, unavoidable. Regardless, a concrete repair service will be able to fix your situation whenever necessary.