Concrete repair means dealing with concrete surfaces that have been compromised by weathering, environmental exposure, or physical damage. Concrete repair with Concrete involves restoring a damaged, cracked, or chipped surface back to its original structural strength. It can also mean revamping an area, so it matches its new appearance. In all cases, concrete repair ensures the durability of a structure and long-term effectiveness.
Concrete repair generally occurs on a crack or other exposed surface and involves injecting a sealant into the crack or small section of the surface. The sealant is usually a binder-type compound that cures into the cracks and surrounding area. When a structure is not in use, it is generally sealed to prevent further deterioration. Sealing also prevents water from penetrating the cracks and making them worse, especially in areas where there is heavy groundwater movement.
Before any concrete repair can take place, it must first be prepared to receive the concrete sealer. This is done after cracks have been identified and then repaired by hand or with a machine if possible. The most common methods of concrete repair include concrete replacement, which is a very convenient and effective method when cracks are microscopic, epoxy injection, which is a more appropriate method when cracks are greater; and concrete levels, which is a very convenient method when cracks are located in areas where leveling is impossible, such as those found at grade changes.
Once the concrete repair has started, it is important to repair the problem areas before repairing the surface’s rest. In cases where cracks are large or near major utilities, it is necessary to remove the debris and bring the area under control before filling in the area. Before any concrete repair can begin, the affected area must also be allowed to dry. Any loose materials that the concrete repair company cannot firmly fix will undoubtedly cause additional problems later. In the case of large cracks, or ones that have spread across an entire width of the concrete surface, these should all be repaired before beginning any concrete repair work.
One of the most common types of repair jobs performed by contractors is concrete toppling. This occurs when excess pressure causes concrete to crumble, which leaves an exposed aggregate layer on the surface of the damaged area. If left alone, this will cause the cracked area to expand outward, which will often result in an unrepairable crack. For this reason, toppling is frequently used to repair an expanding crack. The contractor will pour epoxy into the crack until it becomes stable, then slowly push it outward until it no longer protrudes.
Some homeowners wonder if they can save money by doing their own concrete repair instead of hiring a professional. In actuality, if the damage is minor, it may be cheaper to repair the area on your own rather than waiting for the contractor to arrive. Homeowners should be aware that while repairing cracks is cheaper initially, repairing large or randomly distributed concrete damage can actually be more expensive. For this reason, it is often best to repair a small crack on your own rather than wait to see if it enlarges before calling a concrete repair service.
Many homeowners wonder whether they should attempt to repair or replace concrete cracks themselves. In general, homeowners should try to repair minor cracks in order to prevent larger ones from occurring. For example, homeowners should take care when walking over a sidewalk or parking lot because small cracks can expand and widen into larger cracks if walked upon. In the same way, it is often better to repair small cracks in a driveway or porch before replacing them. Small cracks are easier to repair and often less expensive to repair than larger cracks.
One concrete repair technique that homeowners may choose to perform on their own is to apply what is known as an entry port coating. An entry port coating is simply a thin layer of building paper or epoxy applied to a crack to seal the area and prevent further expansion or cracking. Applying a coating is usually very easy to do and does not require special equipment. Also, most of these coatings are quite affordable, especially compared with other methods of repairing cracks. Regardless of whether you choose to repair a larger or smaller crack on your own, it is important to remember that it will take time, patience, and skill to ensure that the job is done correctly.