What causes concrete to crack?
Concrete can crack for a variety of reasons. One of the more common cracks are ‘shrinkage cracks’ that occur while the concrete is curing. During the curing process of concrete, moisture is leaving the concrete and causing it to shrink (think of dried mud in the sun). Sometimes, this can create enough stress in the concrete to crack. We try to control this by no being excessive with the quantity of water and by proper placement of control joints. A second reason is heaving and/or improper support under a slab. Either way, the ground under the concrete has/is moving and causes the concrete to flex and crack. We try to limit this by ensuring the ground receiving the concrete is properly preppared.
There are different types of concrete cracks. The most common of these is related to the natural shrinkage of concrete as it cures and dries. Shrinkage cracking can be controlled or hidden by following proper jointing techniques. Different factors and conditions can contribute to each type of cracking. It is important to understand these potential causes and take appropriate action to prevent cracking.
