Getting the Job Done with Construction Contractors

Answering Some Quick Questions About Concrete Repair and Installation

28 February 2018 by Audrey Ramos

If you're a homeowner, or if you own any type of commercial property, you probably need to know a little bit about concrete repair and installation, as it's typically the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that all driveways, walkways, and other such areas are in good repair and safe for cars and pedestrians. If you've never had to get concrete on your property repaired before, note some questions you might have about this material, so you know what to expect by way of repairs and know how to ensure your property's concrete is always in good condition.

Why does concrete flake or spall?

If the concrete on your property consistently flakes or spalls, this may mean that there was too much water in the original mixture, and the concrete was not dense enough for the weight it supports. Concrete also needs to be dense enough to withstand surrounding weather conditions, including high humidity and bitter cold, both of which can cause concrete to break down.

If you're getting new concrete poured, be sure that the water levels are adjusted so that the concrete can become very dense and will resist damage to its top layer. There are also coatings you can have added to concrete that keep it stronger and more resistant to flaking in colder weather.

Why does concrete heave and crack?

Concrete will almost always eventually crack, however, if a section of concrete seems to heave, meaning that it juts upwards, this may mean that there aren't enough expansion joints in the concrete. These joints are the trenches you see between sections of concrete, and they are purposely created to give concrete room to expand when it absorbs moisture. Without enough of these joints, sections of concrete will push against each other as they expand, so that the middle of the section may then start to lift from the ground, and crack.

Is there a difference between interior and exterior concrete?

Concrete batches are individually made, so the concrete you need for your intended surface will be made according to surrounding weather, the weight the concrete will support, whether or not you want aggregates added, and so on. Interior concrete floors typically won't need to support as much weight as a driveway and may need to hold a paint or stain, so the mixture might not be very dense and may have more pores that hold paint. An exterior walkway may also be less dense and thick than a driveway, so even batches of exterior concrete will then be different, according to their use.

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