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Closeup of cracked or separating concrete

Cracked Concrete

Do you have fractures in your concrete driveway, sidewalk, or other structures? Cracks that are spreading throughout your property are most likely due to structural issues, and you should get professional assistance to solve it.

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At Dry Pro Foundation and Crawlspace Specialists, we are equipped with the tools needed to repair cracks along your home’s sidewalk, driveway, and patio. While cracks in your external concrete may not seem like something to worry about, they can alert you to any damage your foundation may have or any stress it may be under. 

What Causes Cracks in Your Concrete

dry and shrinking soil

Drought

When your area is experiencing a drought, this can greatly affect your concrete. When expansive soils dry out, they shrink. This creates cracks throughout the soil, which will ultimately end up causing your home’s concrete to crumble and crack. Dried-out soil can also cause your foundation to shift, which would also affect the concrete inside and around the foundation. If the concrete was poured during a drought, then the end result may be brittle concrete, as the moisture needed for the concrete mixture will evaporate faster than it would in normal atmospheric conditions

expansive clay soil

Expansive Soil

Expansive soils are extremely reactive to moisture, both present and absent. Clay-based soils, such as the type found around the Greater Charlotte area, and soils with significant peat content are examples of expansive soils. When saturated, expansive soils swell substantially, causing a variety of issues for a property, including subsidence and the growth of concrete fissures. This is due to wet soil putting a lot of pressure on your concrete, basement, and foundation. When expansive soils get dry, on the other hand, they can sink and break considerably. Concrete structures around your home may crack, sink, or become uneven. 

water pooling on concrete

Water Damage

When it comes to all types of structural damage in and around a house, water is a common theme. Water can cause a variety of problems, ranging from cosmetic concrete damage such as staining and flaking to health issues such as mold formation and structural issues such as wood rot. Given that concrete is permeable by nature, water damage is rarely the sole cause of concrete cracks. In fact, it is just as likely to be a sign of concealed damage as it is to be a cause of it. However, leaks and pooling water can still be damaging to your concrete.

FAQs

Yes, there are several variations of cracks. Static, hairline cracks are cracks that have already been formed, as well as stabilized. Most are caused by natural settling following construction, including concrete. Static cracks no longer expand and, unless they are huge or deep, pose little damage to your property or concrete. Active cracks are still forming. Their location, direction, and depth can help diagnose problems. Deep cracks and gaps in concrete slabs resemble active, spreading cracks, yet they cut through concrete. They, too, cause significant movement and unevenness in the concrete due to shifting and unstable soil. 

While it may seem like the easier option to fix the cracked concrete on your own, it is not something that we recommend. In order to save money, many homeowners prefer to repair their own properties. However, the harm caused by an amateur can often be more costly than the repair done by a professional. At Dry Pro, we can easily repair your cracked concrete by using PolyRenewal™, a polyurethane injection. This product is injected into the concrete where it will expand and cure within 15 minutes. This will lift the concrete, filling in cracks and gaps.  

Many homeowners wait too long to address their concrete crack problems. This is usually because it appears to be a minor issue, and other times because the repairs appear to be excessively costly or time-consuming. Waiting too long is a mistake since it will only make the problem worse and the solution more expensive.  

However, there are advantages to not waiting too long and responding once you detect that the fractures are a concern. The most obvious benefit is that the repair will be completed faster and at a lower cost. Acting early also eliminates the need for more difficult repairs, such as concrete replacement. 

Call Us for A Free Inspection 

At Dry Pro, we are used to hot, humid summers and cold, rainy winters, as well as North Carolina’s wide clay and clay loam soils. As a result, you can rest assured that we are experienced in dealing with concrete difficulties in Charlotte and Hickory area properties, such as cracked concrete. If you find cracks in the concrete around your home, you should contact us immediately before the problem worsens. We offer free inspections with no strings attached, so you can be sure there is a problem before any work is done or money is spent. 

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Charlotte, NC

130 Performance Dr
Belmont, NC 28012

Matthews, NC

1312 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.
Matthews, NC 28105