We use concrete for just about everything.
If you’re like most homeowners, you may have a concrete driveway, garage, and patio.
One thing to bear in mind is that while concrete is very tough it is constantly exposed to the elements, particularly external concrete. This means that over time it does tend to wear down.
In order to ensure that the concrete used at your home is sound and stable, you need to be aware of the signs of wear. If you do notice any of the common signs associated with concrete damage and wear, you can then make arrangements for expert concrete repair services to take a look. This means that any issues can be sorted out quickly and efficiently, minimizing the risk of the damage becoming any worse. Severe concrete damage can affect the safety, stability, appearance and even the value of your home.
When Your Concrete Needs Repair
There are a number of key signs that may indicate that it is time to call concrete repairing services. By familiarizing yourself with these signs, you will find it easier to ensure that the concrete areas of your home remain sound and stable. Keeping an eye on your concrete areas should form part of your home maintenance checklist. Some of the main signs that you should look out for include:
- Cracks appearing in the concrete: One sign that your concrete may need repair work is the appearance of cracks. Cracks in concrete can be caused by the soil underneath expanding and contracting due to weather conditions. Changing weather conditions can affect not only the condition of your health but also your home. If you have a lot of rain followed by long periods of hot, dry weather, this causes the soil to expand and contract. Cracks can appear in concrete on the ground as well as concrete walls. Seeking advice from concrete repair experts will enable you to determine whether the concrete just needs to be touched up or whether more in-depth work is necessary.
- An uneven appearance: Another sign that concrete repair work is necessary is if your concrete floors, external areas or walls seem uneven. This could be down to a number of reasons, such as weather conditions or sub-standard foundation work. If you fail to take action when you notice your concrete areas are no longer even, you could end up with a serious issue. This includes crumbling and breaking, which not only causes instability but could also lead to injury. Therefore, if you do notice that your concrete floors or walls are no longer even you should take action as early as possible.
- Pooling of water on concrete structures: If you notice that water is collecting and pooling on concrete areas following a bout of rain, you should also take action. This problem is often caused by water being unable to drain away naturally. If you do not sort this out quickly, it will lead to increased wear and damage on your concrete areas. When concrete is laid it should have a waterproof coating for protection. However, this coating does wear thin due to exposure to the elements. It may need to be repaired and recoated to prevent further damage.
- Obvious signs of aging: Like everything else, concrete does wear and age over time. All of the above signs can indicate that your concrete is worn due to age. A combination of cracks, pooling water, potholes, and unevenness all point towards damage caused by aging. The concrete will probably look shabby and worn as well. This is the time to get your concrete professionally evaluated to determine what action needs to be taken.
Additional Signs
You also need to remember that concrete is used to create your home’s foundation. It is vital that the foundation of your home is properly maintained and that any concrete repairs are carried out in a timely manner. In addition to the above indicators, some additional signs of concrete foundation damage include:
- Sticking doors and windows: One of the signs of concrete foundation damage is if your doors and windows start to stick when you try to open or close them
- Exterior and interior wall cracks: Cracks appearing in exterior brick walls and interior dry walls can indicate concrete foundation damage and settling
- Floors that are sinking: If you notice floors sinking close to the foundation, you need to get expert advice as soon as possible
- Problems with wallpaper: Foundation shifts caused by damage can lead to signs such as your wallpaper creasing or tearing for no apparent reason
- Sloping floors: Another problem that can be caused by damaged concrete foundation is floor sloping. If the floors slope more than an inch every 15-20 feet, your foundation may need to be looked at
All of these signs can indicate that your concrete foundation needs to be looked at by experts so that they can determine what needs to be done.
Selecting A Dependable Company
If you do find yourself in need of a repair service to offer advice or carry out works on your concrete constructions, there are a number of factors that you should bear in mind. This will help you to find the right provider. Some of the factors to consider when making your choice include:
- Experience and expertise: Finding a company with plenty of experience and expertise when it comes to concrete repair will provide you with valuable peace of mind.
- A solid reputation: Make sure you look for a repair company that has a solid reputation amongst other consumers. This will give you an idea of the standards you can expect as well as the level of service you will receive.
- Cost considerations: Another key factor you need to consider is the cost of the work, as you need to stay within budget. You should find a company that offers competitive pricing but make sure you do not compromise on quality and reputation.
The one thing you should always remember is that some of these signs can indicate serious issues. This is why you need to act quickly if you notice concrete damage at your home.
