Concrete repairs are an integral part of any building construction project. Without concrete, there would be no foundation and no skyscrapers or apartment buildings. Concrete is one of the most important and versatile materials in the construction industry, and a concrete repair job is a significant commitment from the beginning. Without concrete, there would be nothing to support the weight of the skyscrapers, the bridges, and all of the other major structures that we use concrete for. It is a unique material, so even if something significant happens to it, repairing it should be relatively easy.

Concrete repairs come in all shapes and sizes, but they generally fall into three categories: cosmetic, structural, or emergency. Cosmetic concrete maintenance tends to be minor cosmetic fixes to broken sidewalks or walkways, missing bricks, or cracked pavement tiles. Structural concrete repairs are usually necessary for falling ceilings or falling floors because otherwise, the entire building would come tumbling down. And sometimes, emergency concrete repairs may be needed to restore functionality to a building or fix random cracks in the surface of the building material.

Cosmetic concrete repairs are done primarily to improve the look of a building, and in most cases, they do not require any structural repair. Side strips are the most common decorative concrete fix, replacing deteriorated or cracked pavement tiles with new ones. Pavers can be used to fill in cracks between floorboards or other areas, and cracked laminated boards can be painted to match existing home hardware. When cracks become severe, or when large amounts of concrete need to be replaced, it is time to contact a professional Concrete Services provider. They will take a sample of the concrete damage and while doing so, will also test the soil around the building to determine if further work needs to be done.

There are many things that can cause small cracks on concrete, such as road salt, inclement weather, tree roots, or car tires. In these cases, the best way to deal with them is to seal them up with a sealant and allow them to crack back out over time. In most cases, it is not necessary to replace the entire concrete slab when a small crack appears. Sealants are often applied to fill in small cracks, and once the cracks are sealed up, the concrete repairs can begin. This allows time for the material to cure, and once it has cured properly, the concrete repair will last much longer than if it were to have been repaired with an adhesive patch. Once the repair is complete, the sealant is removed, and the area will resume its use as normal.

When there is a significant amount of repair material still present after repairing the small cracks, or when there is a crack that becomes larger over time, then this is when it comes time to address the problem using shrinkage. Shrinkage occurs when excess concrete is lost when it is poured into the space left by an existing crack. Because of this, the new repair material must be added in order to make up the concrete shortfall. The problem arises from the shrinkage itself. While the materials used to repair the crack may already contain shrinkage agents, the new repair material will add additional shrinkage to compensate for any changes that may occur with the existing materials.

While the above situations are ideal in situations where there is no time to spare before finishing a concrete repairs job, the use of sealants in these instances may be necessary. To determine which type of repair method is best for your project, you must first understand the basis of these different types of concrete repairs. As previously mentioned, the two primary methods are dry cracking and wet-cracking. Each type has its own benefits, so it is important to carefully evaluate each one before deciding which one to use on your next job. Here are the main categories of these repairs, along with a description of the main benefits involved with each:

Concrete cracks that occur in joints are best repaired by complete concrete repairs. These cracks allow enough room for water to escape and lessen the risk of damaging the surrounding area. When these cracks become larger, they can be filled using polyethylene resin, a high-quality product available from a reputable sealant manufacturer. The best concrete repair professional will always begin by checking the surface for cracks or other signs of damage prior to any filling. If a crack in the concrete is located inside of a joint, it is possible to fill it using epoxy resins. This is a very common type of repair for cracks in concrete surfaces, since it provides an almost impossible barrier to moisture.

Concrete damages that occur in or around holes can also be repaired using concrete repairs. A hole that has been created by a vehicle, for example, can often be filled using polyethylene resin, providing a waterproof seal to the area. If the damage is located outside of a joint, then a repair of this type may be the best option. Regardless of the type of concrete repairs that are needed, a qualified concrete repair professional should be able to help.