Patios can crack due to poor cement mixture and settling over time.
Nothing can be more disconcerting than spending a lot of money on a concrete patio, only to have it crack within a year. You may wonder what could have caused the concrete to crack so soon, and how can you prevent it from happening again? The answer lies in the preparation of the area, the concrete mix, control joints and curing.
Concrete Mix
Although concrete is indeed made of cement such as Portland cement, it is also mixed with other products such as sand, natural crushed stone and even ash or slag cement. When concrete powder is mixed with water, air bubbles and other chemical additives, it must be mixed thoroughly to ensure the cement mixture is even. According to the Concrete Network, excess water in the concrete mix is the number one reason why concrete cracks. It weakens the bond in the elements by allowing for more shrinkage as the concrete is curing.
Subfloor Issues
Concrete must be poured on an even surface for it to level flat and have even pressure points. The subfloor must be graded and compacted for this to occur. If there are pockets of air left uncompacted, concrete may settle into the empty spaces, allowing for cracks to occur as the concrete cures and the weather changes.
Surface Blistering
Sometimes when an epoxy sealant is applied to new cement, blistering can occur. According to the Daily Journal of Commerce, blistering occurs when a semi-permeable membrane like a sealant is present, a water-soluble material like Portland cement is used and excess water is present in the cement as it cures. It is not always known when blistering will occur in cement, but having an evenly mixed epoxy sealant, proper curing time and minimal soluble salts in the Portland cement mix can help minimize the chance of blistering.
Water Problems
If your outdoor patio is unevenly situated, runoff water from rain or outdoor watering can drift back toward your home’s foundation, causing leak issues in your basement. Look at the structure of your home and if you are missing rain gutters, install or replace old gutters to help shunt excess water away from your patio.
Sunken Concrete
When concrete sinks, the cement can break into jagged cracks as the pressure tears the cement apart. To save the concrete, a slabjacking company can help raise the sunken concrete back to level. According to Bob Vila, small holes are drilled in the sunken concrete, which are then pumped with special grout that helps to raise the cement back in place. Once the grout dries, it becomes a permanent support for the cement.
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