Avoid Irreversible Damage and Get Your Concrete Crack Repair Done

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Concrete is a versatile construction material that has served a vital role in creating solid, long-standing buildings for homeowners and businesses across the world. While the substance enables large scale and high-quality construction projects, concrete is not without its weaknesses. When there is a problem with concrete, it can be hidden in the most important part of a structure. A crack in the foundation, no matter the size, is a serious issue for any building and needs to be addressed immediately by a concrete crack repair specialist.

What Causes a Cracked Foundation?

Concrete can incur damage in a number of different ways; bubbles can form, large swathes of the surface can flake away, and the familiar cracks can form due to anything from too much weight to the weather shifting too rapidly. Cracks can be made intentionally by contractors as a way to prevent other cracks from appearing in less desirable, more widespread locations.

One of the worst types of cracks are caused by the shrinking process that concrete suffers when being placed. Because concrete is formed from an aggregate of minerals combined with water, it first has to undergo a drying and settling process before taking on its final form. As the liquid evaporates, the gaps once filled with water become empty. If the holes are too big due to a high quantity of water in the mix, the concrete will crack as the internal structure collapses. Cracks caused in this way tend to run through the entirety of the concrete slab, making early identification and repair essential.

How Does a Crack in the Foundation Effect a Building?

The first symptoms of a sagging foundation due to untreated cracks will include minor misalignments in the doors and windows, making it harder to open and close them. Eventually the floors will begin to sag and openings will form gaps that reduce energy efficiency, and create additional creaks.

As the crack expands, other vital components of the building begin to suffer from the unwanted movement. The shifting surfaces can cause the relatively rigid structure of a plumbing system to become dislodged, causing leaks in the pipes. The water loss can exacerbate the cracking and make it occur more quickly and spread more rapidly.

If the concrete crack repair is left undone for too long, the crack can turn the building into an unusable and unsafe environment that can no longer be repaired without drastic renovation, leading to the condemnation of the building.

Should You Diagnose and Repair the Crack Yourself?

Nothing replaces a professional eye and diagnostic procedures for determining what the potential risk of a crack can be. The most responsible action to take is calling in a concrete crack repair expert that has the specialty needed to do the right repairs to the right locations for the right cost. Make the effort to seek professional help in case of new cracks, and be sure to ask about regular checkups for foundation damage to catch any issues before your family or business suffer. To speak to someone about potential cracks in your concrete foundation, contact our experts at A Marco Plumbing!