Concrete Crack Repairs!
Contractors are frequently called in to repair or camouflage concrete cracks. A homeowner with a concrete driveway, walk or patio may decide that the cracks are unsightly and need to be fixed. Cracks in basement or garage floors often need attention.
by Susan Brimo-Cox
are cracks inevitable? Technically, if every aspect of the original pour was done perfectly, perhaps not. But in the real world, it's a pretty safe bet that cracks are going to occur. Concrete cracks are caused by improper sub grade preparation, a bad mix design, poor thickness control, improper curing, poorly placed control joints, temperature changes, stress loads, ground or building movement, and a variety of other reasons — singly or in combination.
Contractors are frequently called in to repair or camouflage concrete cracks. A homeowner with a concrete driveway, walk or patio may decide that the cracks are unsightly and need to be fixed. Cracks in basement or garage floors often need attention. Darryl Manuel, president of Vexcon Chemicals Inc. in Philadelphia, observes a trend in turning older buildings — often featuring concrete floors with lots of cracks — into lofts and retail spaces. And in new retail and commercial spaces, concrete floors are often specified for their durability and longevity, cracks not withstanding.
When it comes to crack repair and the decorative treatment of the concrete surface, a dozen contractors have as many recommendations. Different kinds of cracks, it seems, require different repair techniques.
"The first thing about concrete cracks is that just about every crack is different and how you repair a crack depends on what your coating is going to be," explains A. Ray Anderson, owner of Only Under Pressure in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
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