Concrete Contractor Tips For Avoiding Slab Cracks
Correctly poured concrete slabs are very long-lasting and durable. They should not crack or show any signs of wear for many years into the future.
If you are preparing to pour a concrete slab for a foundation, driveway, or patio, then following each of these concrete contractor tips will ensure a crack-free result:
Tip: A Solid Substrate Foundation is Mandatory
Just as a home without a solid foundation will crack and crumble, so too will a concrete slab that hasn't been poured on a solid substrate.
Before you start building forms and ordering ready mix, first the site needs to be completely cleared of any debris, leveled, and compacted. Concrete poured over loose soil will result in cracks when the ground below shifts from the weather.
In addition, you should avoid pouring concrete onto a substrate that is wet or frozen. Wait for a warm dry day so the resulting slab will be free of cracking.
Tip: Pour the Slab with a Low a Water-to-Cement Mixture
When cement is mixed, water is added to it. The amount of water you add has a lot to do with the strength of the final concrete.
For example, if you mix a lot of water into the cement mix, then it will distribute the cement particles and aggregate more. In the end, this results in "softer" concrete and one more prone to cracking while all the water dries out.
Alternatively, if you mix less water into the cement mix, then the concrete will be stronger and much too dense to crack while drying.
Tip: Don't Forget to Cut Control Joints into the Concrete Slab
The ground below all large concrete slabs will eventually shift and this can cause them to crack. Since you can anticipate the cracking, the problem can be averted by simply cutting control joints.
As their name implies, control joints are used to direct concrete-cracking forces to the joints where they won't damage the rest of the slab.
Tip: Allow a Month for Your New Concrete Slab to Fully Cure
Lastly, it's important to note that concrete takes about a month to fully dry and cure. How you treat the slab during this first month will dictate its future longevity and durability.
To prevent cracks, make sure you regularly spray the surface of the concrete at least once each day during the first week. After that time, you can let the slab dry on its own but should avoid driving on it.
For more information, contact a concrete contractor near you.
