Cement Contractors Near Me

Concrete contractors can help homeowners with a variety of jobs, including concrete slab repair. Whether it’s a garage floor, basement or driveway, these projects are typically too big for homeowner DIY.

As with any contractor, homeowners should meet with several potential contractors before making a decision. There are certain questions to ask that will help them feel confident with their choice.

Plastic Shrinkage Cracks

Hairline cracks that appear in freshly placed concrete due to the rapid depletion of moisture within the concrete while still plastic. These cracks are generally very shallow and hardly noticeable in most situations. However, they do raise aesthetic and durability concerns as they can act as a passageway for water and deicing chemicals to enter the concrete and cause damage.

This type of cracking is primarily caused by the conditions surrounding concreting (such as high air or concrete temperature and low humidity). To help avoid this type of cracking, ensure that the concrete is adequately protected from direct sunlight and wind during the initial stages of curing. Also, use a release agent to prevent the concrete surface from adhering to stamping mats or texturing skins during finishing. This helps control the rate at which bleed water evaporates from the concrete surface and thereby reduce the incidence of plastic shrinkage cracking. Long-term drying shrinkage cracking is less predictable and may be the result of a variety of factors, such as the composition of the concrete mix, aggregate size and cement-to-aggregate ratio, reinforcement spacing, temperature variations, humidity and inefficient joints.

Buckling or Heaving

Concrete is a very strong material but heaving or buckling can be a big problem. This is a serious issue that requires professional help and can be quite dangerous. This problem happens when soil moisture gets trapped under a basement slab, and it can push the entire structure upwards. Heaving can damage the interior framed walls, drywall can crack and doors become harder to open.

Heaving is best fixed by removing the parts that have moved and then pouring new concrete. This is a big job but it can be done and once it has been repaired the concrete is as strong as ever. Alternatively, a concrete chipping machine can be used to break up the high points of heaving and create a flat surface for a smooth finish. This is a very fast way to repair heaving but it isn’t as strong as just pouring new concrete. If you’re building something that needs to be as strong as possible then it is a good idea to use relief cuts and the right aggregate when making the concrete.

Large Cracks

Concrete is very strong, but it still has limits. Its durability depends on the stability of the ground underneath it; on the makeup of the concrete mixture and its workmanship; on water and weather conditions.

While surface cracks that change the appearance of concrete can displease homeowners, they usually don’t indicate structural problems. However, it’s important to have cracks evaluated promptly to ensure that they aren’t getting worse and causing other damage.

Large cracks that widen and move over time may be a sign of structural failure. These types of cracks are a good reason to call a concrete contractor for an evaluation. If the concrete was laid on a soft or loose foundation, it’s especially likely to develop these kinds of cracks. They can also happen if there is too much water in the mix, resulting in shrinkage and a lack of strength. This type of issue is easy for an experienced contractor to detect and fix.

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