How Do I Avoid Cracking My Concrete?

Concrete cracks can make some areas of your property look dated and poorly taken care of. To avoid this problem, you’ll need to prevent concrete cracks as much as possible, though there are some things that can’t be prevented.  

• Things That Can’t Be Prevented 

The slabs that crack due to a poor production process are structurally weak and will crack no matter how well you take care of them. You can tell when a weak slab will crack excessively; it starts to pit, which is when the concrete develops small holes in the surface. The pitting only debilitates the structure and makes it easier for the concrete to crack. 

The same can be said for any slabs around a pool deck. Due to the way pool decks are constructed, the clay bowl effect causes rapid soil erosion and concrete settling. This can be avoided if the slabs in that area have minimal exposure to water, but because it’s near the pool, this is nearly impossible to achieve. 

• Things That Can Be Prevented  

Concrete settling can’t be completely prevented because soil will find a way to get displaced one way or another. Still, you can slow down the settling process and prevent concrete cracks by protecting the soil under your slabs. This can be done with proper yard drainage and a positive yard grade. The less water that accumulates around your property, the less structural damage you’ll see. 

This might mean extending your downspouts and altering them to point away from any slabs. You also might want to cover your driveway, at least for the winter, so that it gets snowed on as little as possible. If you do notice some signs of settling but the slab hasn’t cracked yet, then avoid putting weight on it until experts are able to repair the slab.