Concrete is a popular material in the construction of residential structures, commercial building, driveways and pavements. This can be mainly attributed to the resilience and durability of the building material. It can withstand adverse climate conditions, mechanical impact and heavy usage without extensive maintenance. Regrettably, concrete structures and surfaces are not infallible. The material can fail due to factors such as freeze-thaw cycles, poor installation and ground movement. Fortunately, you do not need to rebuild your concrete structure unless the damage is extensive. Here are some ideal concrete repair techniques for different types of damages.
Filling Cracks
Cracks are relatively common in concrete structures, particularly in areas which are exposed to the environment. This is because the material is subjected to constant expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature. Eventually, the stress breaks the concrete, resulting in unsightly cracks. You can repair this type of minor damage without the assistance of a contractor. The best technique to consider using is injection of epoxy or polyurethane resins. These are patching compounds which are capable of creating strong welds between the separated materials. Moreover, these compounds are flexible, so they will allow future expansion and contraction without negative ramifications. If the cracks are thin, you can purchase a masonry crack filler to seal the faults.
Slabjacking
If the concrete slabs in your property are sinking, they were probably installed on a surface with poorly compacted soil. The underlying issue can also be sub-surface erosion as well as general shrinking of the soil. Reinstallation of the affected slabs can be time-consuming, inconvenient and expensive. Therefore, if you have this problem, you should hire concrete contractor like Liquid Rock Constructions Pty Ltd for slabjacking services. This is a repair technique that allows the slabs to be floated and repositioned properly without removing the existing concrete. Basically, a hose is connected to a pump filled with a special mixture of cement, sand and synthetic building additives. The hose is placed under the sunken concrete and the material is pumped, lifting the slab.
Concrete Resurfacing
Your concrete surfaces will age over time, and they will lose the original visual appeal. You can perform concrete resurfacing to restore the original allure. This method is economical because it is cheap compared to reinstalling features such as driveways, patios and sidewalks. The resurfacing technique involves applying an overlay of fresh concrete to cover the unattractive material. As long as the surface is stripped and clean, the new layer will bond perfectly. Additionally, you can choose to use coloured, stamped or acid-stained concrete for an interesting visual impact.
Share9 October 2015
If you have broken concrete around your property, you need to be creative about how you deal with it. You can tear it out, you can fix it or you can reuse the concrete in another area. Hi, my name is Betty, and I am a firm advocate of reducing waste and reusing things. I take this attitude to every part of my life, including my concrete. I own a business and a home, and I have concrete around both of them. Over the years, I have hired contractors to do repairs and a number of other things. I have also done a lot of research. Want ideas? Check out my posts. Cheers!