Concrete Crack Repairs: Understanding Concrete Joints and Concrete Repair Methods
Concrete cracks can be an eyesore, and it's only natural that you would want to repair these cracks immediately. However, you should note that some cracks are meant to occur. For instance, when concrete is being poured, control joints are either cut or wet formed to allow cracking at designated areas to allow for expansion and contraction of this concrete. So, when would concrete crack repairs be necessary? Well, read on to get answers to you concrete repairs questions:
Types of joints
It's important to understand the types of concrete joints, so that you are able to identify a useful joint from a damaging crack. Concrete slabs usually have two types of joints namely, expansion joints and control crack joints. Expansion joints are cut during the initial stages of concrete installation, to allow for easy contraction and expansion of the concrete. On the other hand, crack joints are usually designed to occur in a controlled area, as the concrete settles with time.
A concrete slab that does not have one of these types of joints, will eventually start to crack randomly thus ruining the overall look of the concrete. These cracks can also allow water intrusion, which will reduce the lifespan of the concrete, hence the need for concrete crack repairs. Concrete cracks can also cause a slab to lose its stability such that when you step on it, it lifts on one side.
Different Concrete repair methods
The type of joint or crack on a concrete surface will determine the material and method to use when doing repairs. Here is a look at the different concrete repairs methods:
Using a sealant: Sealants are great for concrete crack repairs, which occur at control joints. This is because sealants are soft and are made from materials that are able to accommodate concrete expansion and contraction. A sealant can also be used for concrete joint sealing, in expansion joints. This helps prevent dirt and water from getting into the joint, and to also improve the appearance of these joints on slabs and floors.
Using a filler: A filler is great for repairing deep concrete cracks, but not those that compromise the structural integrity of the concrete. Examples of concrete fillers include injectable forms of epoxy resin or polyurethane, or even expandable foam.
Knowing the different types of concrete cracks will help you identify suitable concrete repair methods. However, concrete crack repairs should not be conducted if you suspect that a crack can compromise the integrity of a concrete wall or slab.
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