Are there broken concrete structures around your property? Are your concrete steps cracked, or has your rear patio become uneven due to emerging tree roots?
When you have broken concrete, it’s vital to get it fixed right away. You might not be aware of all the issues that need addressing, however. Some essential concrete repairs aren’t obvious.
For example, cold joints might resemble a harmless crack. Neither is desirable, but cold joints should be fixed immediately. Both cracks and joints will invite water inside and could eventually endanger the entire structure.
Confirma, a company that performs concrete repairs in Brisbane, explains that “cold joints are potential weak spots in concrete structures that are formed when there is a delay between different concrete pours.” This delay creates a physical joint between the two pours, and that joint ought to be fixed.
Whether you’re dealing with cold joints, cracks, or bad concrete jobs, here are four reasons to repair your concrete right away.
1. Personal injury lawsuits are expensive
You are responsible for the safety and well-being of anyone who comes onto your property or inside your home, whether they’re welcome visitors or uninvited guests.
You have a duty to inform visitors about known hazards, but if they hurt themselves anyway, you could still be held legally liable for their medical bills. You could even be held liable for injuries sustained by intruders.
Although your own safety should be your priority, fixing broken concrete will avoid costly personal injury lawsuits.
2. Maintain your curb appeal
Fix your broken concrete to maintain your home’s curb appeal. Nobody’s impressed by an uplifted driveway taken over by tree roots when they drive through an otherwise beautiful neighborhood.
If your cracked or broken concrete looks ugly, and it can be seen by the public, it’s time to fix it immediately. If you plan on trying to sell your property, you’ll need to fix it before you list your home.
Failure to repair even small issues can dramatically reduce the perceived value of your home, and that means you’ll get lower offers. New homeowners don’t want to deal with repairs if they can avoid it, so it makes sense to fix broken concrete before you put your home on the market.
3. Damage can become progressive
Any time you avoid tackling the root of a problem, it will typically get bigger. This applies to just about everything in life: Any problem left to fester will gain size and intensity, and that includes concrete flaws.
Although not all cracks have to be fixed, large ones that could pose a threat to the integrity of your building should be mended. You can repair small cracks yourself, but it’s always better to hire a pro.
Concrete cracks are caused by several factors:
· Shrinkage. As concrete cures, it starts to dry out and shrink. This process may create cracks and lead to rusty rebar. When concrete is heated and cooled, the process of shrinking and expanding also causes cracks.
· Settling. As concrete settles with natural ground movements, it can crack. This type of crack may cause severe damage.
· Heavy loads. Concrete isn’t indestructible, and heavy loads can crack it.
· Corrosion. Steel rebar can expand up to four times its diameter when it corrodes inside of concrete. Expansion causes cracks.
· Restraint. If concrete is restrained by a structure to the point where it can’t move when it expands, it will crack. These cracks can be worse than the cracks that would have been caused by expansion without the presence of restraints.
4. Water damage can ruin a structure
Although temperatures and loads can cause concrete to crack, the greatest concern is water. When water finds its way into concrete structures through cracks, your entire structure could be damaged before you know it.
Everything from concrete floors to ceilings and walls can become at risk for water damage. If you see any signs of cracking or crumbling in areas that support a structure or bear weight, have them checked by a professional to make sure your building is still safe.
If you encounter an unsafe situation with cracked or crumbled concrete, have it repaired right away. If you discover cracks a quarter-inch wide or more, it’s a job for a professional.
Don’t put off concrete repairs – it’s not worth the cost
Between the potential for injury lawsuits and worsening structural damage, it’s best to take care of concrete repairs immediately. You don’t want to let small problems become larger when repairs are just a phone call away.
