How To Prevent Concrete Damage On Your Property
Whether your concrete is brand new or newly raised, you can prevent concrete settling and forming cracks. There are three things you can try to ensure your cement stays level.
Seal Cracks and Joints
The first thing to consider is ensuring that cracks and joints are sealed properly. If you notice any, use concrete caulk to seal them straight away. If the gaps are large, you can use a backer rod to fill in the gap. Then use the caulk on top to seal it up.
Caulking the cracks and joints in your concrete at the earliest opportunity helps to keep out moisture that can cause washout in your concrete slab. Washout is one of the leading causes of your concrete not settling.
Adjust Downspout Location
An easy way to prevent concrete settling is to adjust the location of your downspout. A great tip is to ensure that your downspouts are at least 5 feet away from the sidewalk, driveway or patio.
Pack Surrounding Soil
To avoid water flowing under the cement, you need to ensure that any open sides of your concrete slabs are tightly packed with soil. The soil needs to be well compacted into the sides to avoid any water getting in.
Getting new concrete poured?
One of the best ways to prevent concrete settling starts with when the cement is poured. You need to ensure that there is a tightly compacted base below below the cement which can help combat against the following:
- Soil compression
- Washout below the concrete
- Changes in soil moisture
What if concrete has already settled?
If your concrete has already settled, the best solution is to raise it by using polyurethane foam. While replacing the concrete may be your first thought, raising the concrete is actually less expensive and timely than it would be to replace it.
If you need concrete repair or stabilization call the experts at PolyliftUSA today! 844-765-9872.