Why Concrete Cracks

Why Concrete Cracks
ConcreteNetwork.com- I know so many people who ask why their newly poured concrete has begun to crack. You can see cracks hours after it has been poured and sometimes it can take years before you see anything. Some might think it’s from shoddy work that was done on purpose, but there may be other factors to consider. Here are three possible reasons to think about.

No One Likes Cracks

There could be too much water added to the mix. Concrete does not require much water to achieve its maximum strength. But a wide majority of concrete used in residential work has too much water added to the concrete on the job site. It’s typically added to help install the concrete easier. But with that, the excess water weakens its strength. Shrinkage is the main cause of cracking. The concrete shrinks as it hardens and dries. This happens when the excess water evaporates, so the soupier the mix, the greater the shrinkage will be. The bottom line is a low water to cement ratio is the number one issue affecting concrete quality- and excess water reduces this ratio.
While we’re on the drying subject, rapid drying can also cause cracks in the foundation. The chemical reaction, which causes concrete to go from the liquid or plastic state to a solid state, requires water. This chemical reaction continues to occur for days and weeks after you pour the concrete.
Concrete is available in many different strengths. Verify what strength the concrete you are pouring should be poured at. You can consult with the Ready Mix Concrete Association in your area to be sure you are using the proper strength for the job.
The lack of proper control joints can cause concrete to crack. The joints should be of the depth of the slab and no more than 2-3 times (in feet) of the thickness of the concrete (in inches). So 4" concrete should have joints 8-12' apart.
A few other reasons could be if the concrete was poured on frozen ground, the ground upon which the concrete will be placed isn’t compacted properly, or the subgrade wasn’t prepared according to the soil conditions.

You Need the Right Equipment

Just like any construction work, whether it is residential or commercial, the right equipment is always needed. At United Rentals, you can find any rental equipment to get the job done right. We rent daily, weekly, and monthly with prices to do your wallet right. Stop by to see us for your concrete rentals in Abilene or visit our website at www.unitedrentals.com for a virtual tour of all our equipment.

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