Concrete Repair Tips- Foundations, Slabs and Driveways
After some time, a concrete foundation and a slab may get damaged if the under-surface was not prepared well. This may also happen because of water penetration. Another factor to consider is if the soil in the concrete’s sub-surface is not compacted, it will move causing cracks on your floor- this can be small or big. Minor cracks can be handled by the homeowner, but if the cracks become large, professionals like us are the ones who can help. We know how to repair these cracks and make sure that all of them are sealed.
Repairing small cracks
For small cracks, the homeowner can easily fix it. The crack needs to be wet for 24 hours, then the slurry of the cement must be placed in the walls of the crack and them large amount of the slurry must be placed inside the cavity of the crack. The crack must then be covered properly and let it dry for at least 5 days.
Repairing big cracks and uneven slabs
Repairing big cracks require the help of a professional because this will involve the under-surface of the slab that was placed. To fix this, the old slab needs to be removed and then fresh gravel is placed, and then a new slab is installed.
For uneven slabs, professionals make use of the slab jacking method. This method requires the professional to make a hole in the slab that needs to be raised and then the cores are removed and kept because they will still be used after. A thick and wet concrete is then placed using pressure as the slabs are raised. After doing this, an adhesive tape is used to put back the core that was removed before. The good thing about this method is that you can step on the slab after them being repaired, but for heavy foot traffic, a period of at least 3 days must be given to let the cement cure. For straight cracks on the slab, the same method may be used.
Foundation repairs
For foundation repairs, you definitely need the help of a professional. There will be times that the foundation needs to repaired because of unavoidable water washout and settling. This condition is fixed by installing metal ground jacks. In order to do this, deep holes must be made in the surface. The holes must be of 10 to 50 feet, metal pipes are then placed in these holes. Angle-iron plates are then placed in the foundation.
Foundations are then raised with the use of hydraulic jacks. The pipes inserted on the holes must then be cut in an appropriate length and then integrated to the angle-iron correctly. After doing this, unnecessary settling water must then be removed by using drainage trenches.
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