I just had it layed a couple weeks ago along the side of the house. The crack just appeared over the last day. A big long one.
2006-10-26 13:48:59 · 16 answers · asked by KQ 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The cracking is caused by uneven settling.
It may have been poured too thin or on an improperly prepared base. If the ground underneath had been filled in or was loose it will compress and cause stress in the concrete above it. It also should have been scored with joints to contain any cracking. In addition to all this, and very important, it may not have been allowed to cure properly, it should have been kept wet and not allowed to dry out for at least a week.
Sounds like whoever did this did not know what they were doing. The only fix for this is to rip it all out and start over. The crack is NOT the problem; the crack is an INDICATION of a problem. Don't let anyone tell you they can fix it by filling the crack. That will not fix the real problem and it will just get worse. It all has to be ripped up. Bad job.
2006-10-26 13:55:16 · answer #1 · answered by Kokopelli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to settling, concrete naturally expands/contracts with temperature. If there is too large of a surface, in one or two directions, it is likely too crack. It needs joints, deliberate separations, every 10 - 20' depending on its use in the concrete to help prevent it from cracking. A wire fabric laid inside the concrete pour will also help prevent cracking as it limits the expansion/cracking, but that will cost more.
2006-10-26 14:06:39 · answer #2 · answered by volleyjacket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was going to say that tree roots come and push the concrete from under ground but that happens over a long period of time.
I would say bad concrete people if it was only a few weeks ago I would ask the company to fix it for free.
2006-10-26 14:04:40 · answer #3 · answered by camohuntergirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was laid it on disturbed soil no doubt. You backfilled an area to save concrete? Now it settled and cracked. A lesson for the future. Building codes are very strict about footings on undisturbed soil.
2006-10-29 15:01:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All concrete crack due to the contraction and drying of the cement... Just put epoxy or dry enamel before painting and it'll be gone....
2006-10-26 13:55:56 · answer #5 · answered by Rochelle5969 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Natural shrinkage cracking, poor soil preparation under the slab, water infiltration/wash out under the slab, or load applied to the slab the was more then the strength of the slab.
2006-10-26 13:55:45 · answer #6 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well could be several things:
1. Insufficient footing or poorly compacted foundations
2. Mixture not in the correct proportions
3. 'Dried out' too quickly - concrete needs to be kept wet in order to maintain the chemical process which makes it hard.
Get the 'cowboys' back to sort it out.
2006-10-26 13:53:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it happened to our patio too. it is probably a mistake made by the person who laid your concrete. our company is fixing it for free. try calling them.
2006-10-26 13:57:22 · answer #8 · answered by jess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depending on where you live when it gets colder concrete is likey to crack or shift.
2006-10-26 13:50:36 · answer #9 · answered by angie068345 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Settled to much too fast or not curd properly.
2006-10-26 13:52:54 · answer #10 · answered by Johnnysbar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋