How Do You Fix Cracks In Concrete Floors

Concrete Floor Crack Repair Products
Fixing Cracks In Concrete Slab
How To Fix Cracks In Concrete Floor Basement
How Do I Repair Cracks In Concrete Floor

Are you startled at the sight of cracks in your basement floor? You’re probably asking yourself “What do cracks in my basement wall mean?”

Clean the crack of all debris — dirt, particles of concrete, or pebbles. Use a vacuum cleaner or soft brush after you’ve cleaned out larger particles with a wire brush. About the Book Author Gary and Peg Hedstrom are self-taught repair masters with experience in carpentry, plumbing, appliance repair, and more. How to fix you're cracked concrete floor IMPORTANT: The inside of the crack must be clean and dry! Vacuum out the crack to remove any dirt, debris, and loose concrete. Inject the CrackWeld resin into the crack to 'prime' the crack and wet the inside edges of the crack.

There are several reasons why your basement concrete slab will crack. Chances are the cracks are not an indication of a bigger problem as the basement floor does not hold the weight of the house, your foundation walls do all the heavy lifting. We will outline the different types of cracks below; ranging from cosmetic damage that you can repair yourself to the rare occasion where the damage is pointing to a much larger issue, where we suggest you seek professional basement waterproofing services. Let’s be clear no matter of the reason the crack appeared you should always seal the damaged area, even if it is just considered preventative maintenance.

The most common cracks found in your basement slab are the hairline cracks, the shape or pattern of the crack is irrelevant. A spider web crack versus a straight hairline crack makes it no more dangerous. These cracks generally occur due to surface shrinkage as the concrete dries. You will begin to notice hairline cracks within 12 months of the basement floor being poured. Many professionals advise that these types of hairline cracks are just superficial and do not require repairs as there is a slim chance of them expanding further or for moisture to seep through. However, sealing these cracks even further reduces the risk of moisture seeping in. You can seal these cracks yourself by using an elastomeric caulking sealant made for use on interior concrete surfaces (available at your local home improvement store).

The shrinking concrete can lead to cracks ranging in 1/8” wide or bigger. Just like the hairline crack these do not represent any structural issues to your house. These cracks should be sealed using the same method as the hairline cracks to ensure moisture does not seep through in the future.

Concrete Floor Crack Repair Products

If the contractor didn’t sufficiently compact the ground below your basement floor you may experience patches of sunken concrete. Settling of the soil beneath the house causes the concrete to fall under the pressure of its own weight. Even though sunken concrete is more severe than the cracks notedabove, it is still not a cause for alarm. Repairing sunken sections of concrete in your basement is a fairly easy process, as all you need to do is pour self-leveling cement (available at most home repair centers) over the lowered section. If you can hold off on the repair, we suggest you do. A new house will normally finish settling within 24 months and if you fill the sunken concrete prior to the house finishing you may find yourself repeating the process as the filled section begins to sink as well.

If you find sections of concrete pushed upwards, this is when you have a major issue. Soil that is rich with clay will expand as it absorbs water. Your concrete basement floor eventually cracks and lifts due to the pressure of the expanding soil underneath. Action should be taken immediately if you notice concrete in your basement lifting. This scenario calls for you to look for professional basement waterproofing services, as you will need to not only fix the current issue but take measures to ensure this doesn’t occur again.

Fixing Cracks In Concrete Slab

No matter the type of crack on your basement floor you should always take measures to seal the damaged area before it potentially becomes a larger issue. The cost to repair these damages ranges from a couple dozen to tens of thousands of dollars. If you do not feel comfortable diagnosing or repairing your cracked basement slab, reach out to a professional for their advice. Looking after these cracks today, can prevent a larger headache and costs in the future.

Related Article: How to Prevent Basement Leaks

About Draintony

We are a locally owned and operated plumbing company, providing residential and commercial owner plumbing services. We specialize in Drain Repair, Drain Cleaning,Basement Waterproofing, Sump Pump Installation, Clogged Toilets and more. Our team at Draintony is dedicated to providing you premier plumbing quality and premier plumbing services.

With proper cleaning and maintenance, polished concrete flooring is designed to last at least 20 years. Part of your ongoing maintenance is addressing cracks as soon as they form. This will keep your flooring looking its best, but will also reduce trip hazards and keep your facility clean and sanitary—as bacteria will quickly find its way into the cracks. Here is what to do if you spot cracks in polished concrete floors.

Identify The Source Of The Crack

How To Fix Cracks In Concrete Floor Basement

For starters, you want to identify what caused the crack. Sometimes it will be apparent, such as a heavy piece of machinery that fell over resulting in damage. While durable, there are some types of collisions that even concrete can’t stand up to. However, cracks may also be a sign that there are interior or exterior problems with your foundation or underlayment. If this is the case, you must repair the foundation first, then address the crack.

Ensure It Is A Crack

Concrete floors can crack, chip, or spall—and each needs to be addressed in an appropriate manner. Cracking should look like an uneven line or split, that is initially fairly seamless. If left unaddressed, the crack can spread in length and is prone to further separation. Chipping often occurs at the origin of a crack. For example, where the corner of a heavy metal object was dropped. If left unaddressed, even a small chip can widen and create additional cracks. Spalling is sometimes mistaken as a crack, but looks less like a cracked egg and more like a series of widening flakes. Spalling occurs when your concrete is exposed to too much moisture or abrasive chemicals that have been allowed to pool for long periods of time. Just as with a crack, you must identify the cause of the spalling before you move forward with a repair. Cracks, chips, and spalls may not initially be a fall risk, but can create uneven flooring. They are also unsealed areas of your concrete in which bacteria and allergens can accumulate. Depending on the type of business you operate, this may create a sanitation compliance violations.

Call In A Professional Concrete Repair Team

Even if your in-house maintenance team has worked with concrete, you want your polished concrete repair to look seamless. For example, you can use a grinder to smooth and polyurethane to seal a fine crack—but the repaired area is likely to be discolored. Turn to a professional concrete repair team and they will both assess the cause of the damage, and the best approach to a seamless repair and restain.

What To Do If You Spot Cracks In Polished Concrete Floors? Call Novus Polishing Systems!

Novus Polishing Systems doesn’t just install commercial flooring, but we can repair both your standard and polished concrete too! Call us today to schedule a consultation for your Vancouver area concrete cracks.