Concrete Failure Causes

Why does concrete crack and sink in New York?

Cracked concrete is an eyesore, but may not be cause for concern.

Concrete is an incredible material. It has the ability to be poured, shaped, and turned into just about anything you like. However, it is still susceptible to damage over time. There are many reasons concrete may crack, sink, peel, fade, or stain.

On the bright side, our experienced concrete contractors at Adirondack Basement Systems can seamlessly repair damaged concrete. We have the appropriate materials, equipment, and knowledge required to restore your concrete.

Contact us today at 1-518-348-5767 or simply click below to schedule a free concrete repair estimate in Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and the surrounding areas!

What's underneath your concrete?

• 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.

Why concrete pits, flakes & stains

When the top layer flakes away, the concrete surface is left patchy and pitted.

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.

Watch out for 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.

Schedule your free concrete repair estimate today!

Whatever the cause of your concrete problem, we have an effective solution. Adirondack Basement Systems offers concrete repair for settlement, sinking, and cracks. We will assess your property and recommend the best solution for your driveway, patio, or any concrete slab that needs repair. Call us today at 1-518-348-5767 or contact us online for a free estimate in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Cohoes, Colonie, Clifton Park, Guilderland, Latham, Queensbury and the nearby areas.

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.