Why Concrete Fails in OH, MI, and IN & Nearby

What causes sunken or cracked concrete in Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan & Northeast Indiana

Concrete is pretty amazing stuff. It can be poured, shaped, and made into just about anything you like. But even though it’s incredibly strong, it’s not indestructible. So, when you see cracked concrete, sinking driveways, a stained patio, or walkways with pitting or flaking, there are reasons why these things happen.

The good news is the experienced professionals at FoamWorks Concrete Leveling can repair cracked concrete and other damage. You can rely on our proven materials, reliable equipment, and lasting solutions for residential and commercial applications. We find the cause of damage to ensure lasting, durable results.

To learn more about our concrete crack repair, concrete sealing, concrete caulking, and concrete leveling systems, call 419-304-6512 or click below for a free concrete repair estimate. We serve Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan & Northeast Indiana, and the nearby areas.

Concrete Repair

What Lies Beneath

Poorly compacted soil

When your home was built, the movement of soil around the building site results in poor compaction. Even when the replaced soil is compacted well, it’s never as stable as the original soil. Over time, this can cause voids to form and slabs to settle.

Dry soil

Another cause of soil failure is drought. During dry conditions or even just during periods of warm weather and low precipitation, the soil under your concrete will dry out and shrink, creating voids. The concrete above eventually cracks and sinks into these empty spaces; especially if any weight is placed on it.

Flooding

When the rains return, the water has an even easier pathway under the slab due to cracks and crevices left over from the dry period. And this wet, soft soil is just too weak to support the concrete above it. In the worst case, the soil erodes and washes away completely, leaving behind large voids that cannot support the weight of the concrete above.

Pitting, Flaking and Staining

Cracked concrete is unsightly, but not all cracks are cause for concern.

Moisture is concrete’s strongest enemy. It seeps into the pores of untreated concrete, and when temperatures drop, especially during freeze-thaw cycles, that trapped moisture expands as it turns to ice. This expansion destroys the pores and weakens the concrete. This results in concrete slabs that can pit and flake. Concrete’s porous nature also makes it susceptible to staining when left untreated.

Street Creep

As a homeowner, you don’t just have to worry about your own concrete slabs; you should be concerned with the slabs that make up the street that goes past your house.

During colder months, your street’s slabs contract, opening up the joints between them. Those joints then become filled with pebbles and other debris. Then, when the warm weather returns, the slabs expand again – only the joints that were designed to absorb this expansion are now filled with material that won’t compress. This leaves the expansion pressure nowhere to go except up your driveway. This “street creep,” as it is known, exerts incredible pressure on your home and can cause all sorts of problems.

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Contact us today for a concrete repair estimate

From concrete cracks in a driveway to a sinking patio or concrete sealing for lasting protection with your pool deck, we have effective solutions for these concrete problems and much more. FoamWorks Concrete Leveling offers concrete repair services, including cracked concrete repair, concrete sealing, concrete caulking, and concrete leveling. We will assess your property and recommend the best solution for your driveway, patio, or any concrete slab that needs fixing.

Get a Free Estimate 419-304-6512