Concrete is a very common building material that is used in a lot of construction projects. If you are a homeowner, you will have a concrete slab as this is a readily available material that is easy and affordable to work with. But concrete comes with its own share of challenges so it is important that you select professionals that have good experience and expertise with the material.
A common problem you may come across is a cracked concrete slab but you don’t need to worry as there are many companies that specialize in repairing them. There are many reasons why you would have a crack in the slab. This will go back to the time when the slab has been placed. When concrete dries, it has a tendency to shrink and this can cause cracks. But the degree of shrinkage that occurs depends on the ratio of cement to ratio, proportions of the mix, environmental conditions and the curing process.
This is why you need to have a good contractor from the beginning to carry out the construction work. Much of the issues that come afterwards can be mitigated by selecting an experienced contractor that follows the right procedure of work. There are certain quality control and assurance procedures that have to be carried out. If there is more water in the mix that is poured, it will lead to increase shrinkage and this will also increase the process of drying.
If you don’t choose the right contractor from the beginning
They will not follow the right construction practices and this can lead to cracking. They may not compact the concrete properly or the reinforcement may not be done properly. Sometimes the concrete will not be cured sufficiently. All of these malpractices can lead to poor quality concrete that is prone to cracks. Settlement also leads to cracks in the concrete. When the ground that is below the slab moves or compresses, the slab will settle unevenly and you will see cracks in these areas. To prevent this, you need to have proper reinforcement. When there are weak spots in the concrete, it makes the slab more prone to cracking.
Certain chemicals can weaken the integrity of concrete causing it to crack.
This can be acids, salts, alkalis etc. This can happen if the concrete is not properly sealed. The concrete slab will be designed to support a certain amount of weight. This will be decided by the structural engineer taking into account your brief, occupants of the house and any future plans you have for the hose. But when the slab is overloaded, this can give rise to cracks.
If heavy vehicles are parked on the slab or heavy machinery is operated on it, the slab may not be able to support the weight. With changes in temperature, the concrete slab will contract and expand. When there are quick changes in temperature going from extreme heat to extreme cold or vice versa, this contraction and expansion process will happen very quickly leading to cracking.
