Concrete Slab Repair should be undertaken only after a determination has been made as to the cause. The worst thing a repair company can do is to make a repair that fails at a later date. The concrete slab, also called slab on grade, should be carefully examined to establish the cause. Only then can a repair company make a qualified suggestion for repair and stabilization.
Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, sand, and small stones or gravel. When all of the dry ingredients are mixed with water a chemical reaction occurs and the mixture begins to harden. After a period of time the wet concrete will harden into a stone like material that is very strong and durable. It is also very cost effective and it is the most widely used building material in the world. However, concrete is not flexible and when it is subjected to certain forces it can crack and break. Unfortunately, most concrete slabs were not built to withstand the many forces they experience. And that has created the need for experts who can perform Concrete Slab Repair for residential and commercial structures.
The primary purpose of a concrete slab is to transfer the weight of a structure to the ground. It is the foundation upon which everything rests. The slab should be poured level and the entire building structure is firmly attached to the slab. The slab must be constructed properly to prevent a number of concrete slab repair problems. Most important is the compacting and preparation of the soil that will rest directly underneath the slab. If the soil has not been compacted then it will “settle” over time and leave a gap between the top of the soil and the bottom of the slab. If the gap is too large and the forces too great then the slab can crack and “cave in” or sink.
The reason most concrete slabs experience failure is the movement of the soil underneath. Expansive soils that swell when they absorb water, and shrink when they lose water, are the number one enemy of concrete slabs. And expansive soils with a high clay content are the worst and often lead to expensive concrete slab repair. In addition, repairs may not be limited to the foundation but may include roof damage, brickwork damage, tile floor damage, plumbing damage, and other structural damages.
There are a number of warning signs that can indicate the need for concrete slab repair. It is far better to address these warning signs early because the damage to the home or structure can get progressively worse. These signs will include cracks in the sheetrock, cracked tiles on the floor, windows that do not open or close properly, and doors that do not open or close properly in the interior of the structure. Other warning signs will be found on the exterior of the structure and can include cracks in the brick, cracks near the corners of windows and doors, separation of trim from its attached area, and obvious cracks in the concrete slab. Also, if the structure has a dip in the roofline then that is a serious warning sign of foundation and/or structural problems.
There is virtually no home or building insurance available for progressive damage experienced by concrete slabs. The insurance companies are well aware of the problematic nature of concrete slabs and the cost of concrete slab repair. They know that expansive soils will move up and down as well as side to side. This movement is stronger than the standard reinforced concrete slab built for the last seventy years. They simply have chosen to exclude from insurance coverage almost all foundation damage of a home or building because the concrete slab foundation was not built to withstand the forces of nature.
Author Resource:
Martin Dawson is the co-founder (1984) of Dawson Foundation Repair. He is a leading authority in Texas and other southern states on repairing failed commercial and home foundations using the thoroughly researched drilled Bell Bottom Pier method. http://www.DawsonFoundationRepair.com/
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