Concrete Damage Causes
Damage to your concrete can occur due to various causes, meaning you should be aware of how to keep your concrete safe by being knowledgeable of what causes such damage.
Get Your Free EstimateYour home’s concrete is one of the first things visitors notice about your property. If your concrete is cracked, sunken, or uneven, your home does not appear its best. At Foundation Recovery Systems, we are equipped with the tools and knowledge to make your concrete look like it has been freshly poured. Concrete damage may not seem like a big problem, but it can quickly become one, possibly affecting other aspects of your home’s foundation.
Common Concrete Damage Causes
When it comes to the causes of concrete damage, there are several things that can be at play. Concrete’s inability to stretch makes it extremely susceptible to cracking, while soil washout can cause uneven or sunken concrete slabs.
Inability to Stretch
One of the oldest construction materials, concrete may be durable; however, it does not stretch. This makes it more likely to crack, letting in elements like air and water. Once these elements are inside your concrete, they start to break it down. Water can seep into your concrete, where it has the potential to seep into other parts of your foundation, like your basement or crawl space. Freeze and thaw cycles also greatly affect the concrete, since it is unable to shrink and grow based on the cycles.
Washout Soil and Erosion
Your concrete is only as stable as the soil it sits upon; therefore, any issues with your soil spells trouble for your concrete. Washout soil occurs when the soil around your concrete is washed away during period or heavy rainfall, runoff water, and even flooding. Erosion occurs when storms and strong winds blow the soil away. Regardless of the method, both can cause your concrete to shift and become unstable.
Soil Shrinkage, Compaction, and Settling
All three of these causes can greatly affect the concrete around your home. Soil shrinkage happens when the soil – such as clay – expands when wet and shrinks when dry, causing concrete cracks. Compaction happens when the air trapped in your soil shifts under the weight of a heavy object. This compacts the soil, and makes for an unstable foundation. Soil settling is similar to shrinkage, as it will cause the soil – and the concrete upon it – to settle.
Don’t Suffer from Damaged Concrete Any Longer. We Can Help!
At Foundation Recovery Systems, we pride ourselves in being knowledgeable about the soil and weather conditions in our area. Most of the soil in the area is clay or silty-clay, while the climate is humid in the summer and very cold in the winter. Whether you live in Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, or Decatur you can trust we’ll do the job the right way. If you notice that your concrete is cracked, uneven, or sunken into the soil, contact us as soon as possible. Our technicians will perform a free inspection at no obligation to you, so you can be certain there is a problem with the concrete around your home.
Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Foundation Recovery Systems does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.
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Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
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Bloomington, IL 61705
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Kansas City, MO 64153
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Lee's Summit, MO 64082
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Moberly, MO 65270
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3020 N. Martin Ave.
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 612-8286
1625 Larkin Williams rd.
Fenton, MO 63026
(314) 207-9995