Cracks in slab foundations are a common problem for many homeowners, especially in areas with expansive soils. These cracks can occur when moisture from the surface evaporates too quickly, usually during hot or windy weather. Synthetic fiber additives can help reduce these types of cracks, but they do little once the concrete has cured. This happens when moisture comes out of the concrete after the slab has hardened.
You can expect shrinkage and cracks in the base of the slab, and these are very common. Although these cracks generally do not compromise the structural integrity of the home, they can cause other issues. For instance, due to moisture, hardwood floors, moldings, and wooden frames can shrink and acclimate to lower indoor humidity. Similarly, with temperature changes, expansion and contraction can occur daily and seasonally. Concrete is highly dependent on proper and careful installation to make it as strong and durable as possible. Sometimes cracks occur because the concrete was not mixed correctly or was laid in weather conditions that did not allow it to set evenly.
Poor fit of joints and other supports can cause concrete to shift and crack. Many of these breaks aren't detrimental to the safety of your home, but it's worth having a professional's evaluation to be safe. Other things that can cause cracks in the foundations of concrete slabs are the lack of adequate reinforcement and poor quality concrete mix. The type of reinforcement used when preparing the base (reinforcing bars or post-tensioning cables), as well as the spacing of the bar or wires, can affect the strength of the base. The composition of the concrete mix used when preparing the slab is also a concern.
Often, foundations fail and break because they were poorly prepared or placed in poorly compacted soil. Many Dallas, Fort Worth homes have been damaged by this. Cracks in foundations are repaired using various methods, including shoring with thrust pillars, helical pillars, perforated concrete pillars or slab pillars. Whenever you call a foundation repair expert when you begin to notice problems with your slab foundation, they can spot early warning signs, recommend ways to repair existing damage, and suggest ways to preserve the foundation in the future. It is an important consideration because the weather can affect the strength of concrete at the base of the slab. If you have enough weight pressing against the base, you can end up with cracks in the base of the slab and cracks in the walls of the base. The only way you can actively repair slab foundation cracks is to make sure you are getting help from a foundation repair expert.
The good news is that slab foundation cracks are a problem that most foundation repair experts are well aware of. Many homeowners in Dallas-Fort Worth have found that poor construction, soil conditions, excessive moisture, pipe leaks, and improper grading are common causes of foundation cracks in concrete slabs. A single thick concrete slab is often used as a base for large buildings, called “above grade slab foundations”, which rest on compacted subsoil and ensure that the building remains level. Foundation shoring using pillars holding a foundation means anchoring it to ground that can support it. Fixing the base of the slab will prevent cracks from enlarging and will cause the base to become vertical and level. Perforated concrete pillars stop lateral movement of foundations and stabilize dwellings built on slopes that experience problems due to soil creep.
Expansive soil problems can also lead to cracks in the slab foundation if you have expansive soils around the base of the slab. With cracks, the foundation slab will tend to be more prone to problems with movement and settlement because it is no longer an uninterrupted piece of concrete. The good news is that Edens Structural Solutions is Tulsa's trusted concrete foundation expert with over 34 years of home protection experience and gives you peace of mind. Regardless of what foundation problems you are dealing with - from cracks in slab foundations to washing soil - it is always best to address them as soon as possible. If you notice any deterioration in your foundation, it is better to contact a contractor to repair concrete slab foundations in cracks when they are still small.
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