What to Know About Concrete and Its Repair
Many construction materials have proven very useful for the human race, from metals such as iron and bronze to concrete, wood, rubber, and more. Among these, concrete is perhaps the most universal, and it dates back to the days of the ancient Egyptians. With its durability and ease of use, concrete has been used around the globe from ancient days to today, and now, many companies can not only pour concrete but also modify or repair it. Concrete services can not only lay a sidewalk or a patio, but slab jacking or concrete lifting can repair this material, should it become cracked or start sagging. While this material is indeed tough and durable, it is not indestructible, and many factors may cause it to develop cracks, get warped, or even fall apart. Fortunately, concrete grinding services, concrete crack repair services, and more can be called upon to help.
About Concrete
This material is among the most universal construction materials around the world, and it can be very tough. It is made up of water, aggregate, sand, and cement, all mixed into a thick mixture that will start to harden, or “cure,” as it sits in place. This is why cement mixers keep their materials in a rotating drum, so that the contents will not cure and become impossible to pour. Often, it serves as a popular alternative to marble or granite for commercial facilities, such as in a factory or a warehouse. Not only that, but floors made of concrete can be polished and coated with a fine finish, which makes it look more attractive. Not only that, but putting that finish on a floor means increasing its weight tolerance, which is important when vehicles drive over it during work. That finish also makes it easier to paint signs and messages on the floor, such as warning signs about vehicles or marking storage areas and the like.
On average, this construction material has an endurance of 3,000 psi, but it can be higher if need be. Some of the strongest concretes may have a strength of around 20,000 psi, or even higher. Once it cures, this material gets slowly stronger over time, not weaker, which adds to its appeal even more. Some of the largest dams in the world today are made of it, such as the Hoover Dam, enduring incredible weight and pressure of water from one side.
Not only that, but this material is also used to make foundations, sidewalks, highway overpasses, and other civilian constructs that are often taken for granted during everyday life. When a building is being constructed, one of the first steps to take, after the foundation is excavated, is to pour concrete with the aid of specialize companies. Once that material is in place, workers will use rakes to smooth it out and get rid of any bubbles or ripples, as well as carve any necessary lines or other markings in it. The same is true of making sidewalks, concrete patios, and the like.
Concrete Repair
While concrete is very tough, it may suffer wear and tear over time. What might go wrong? For example, a sidewalk may start sagging and get warped because the ground underneath it has become too heavy with water and starts sinking. The same might happen to a patio, too. The difference between the ground-level sidewalk and the sunken region puts huge cracks in the material, and at best these cracks are unsightly and at worst are a serious tripping hazard. So, concrete lifting companies can be hired to help, which is often a much faster and more affordable solution than tearing up the entire sidewalk and replacing it.
These services use a minimally invasive method to repair a sidewalk. They will use a machine and a tube to start filling the space underneath the sidewalk with concrete and related materials, and this uplifts the sidewalk to its original dimensions, smoothing out the cracks. Finer work can be done to help erase and fill in the cracks entirely, leaving a sidewalk that looks like new. Take note, though, that this may not work for patios or other concrete surfaces that are attached to the foundation of a house.
