5 Tips to Avoid Cracks in Your Concrete
No matter how small, cracks in concrete can become an eyesore, and they affect the look of your home, mainly if they are located on the front porch or driveway. Luckily, with these five tips, you can avoid cracks in your concrete and keep it looking great for years to come. You can also check out jobs in construction at the Kilgore companies.
Drainage
If your concrete slab is situated on a low-lying piece of land, water may pool under it, which will cause it to crack. To avoid cracks in your concrete, make sure you choose a dry site with good drainage when you’re ready to pour.
Compaction
To avoid large cracks, it’s essential to compact concrete properly. A general rule of thumb is that your concrete should be two inches thick. Using a tamper or finishing trowel will compress your air pockets and create denser material. When mixing, add too much water, diluting your cement and weakening cement over time.
Materials
Be sure that your concrete is mixed correctly, by weight, with various ingredients. Too much water can cause cracks as well. In some cases, you may need to allow your concrete to cure longer than expected before using it. Pouring a small section of your driveway or walkway can help determine if there are too many air pockets or a poor ratio of cement versus sand. In these cases, more time and materials will be needed for the project.
Bottom Line
Be mindful when finishing concrete. The surface treatment method can affect your concrete’s durability. Follow these tips for treating your newly poured concrete, and you’ll be able to avoid cracks in your driveway, sidewalk, and foundation.
At Kilgore Companies, we help our clients build and renovate their properties, and we also offer jobs in construction. We have extensive experience with concrete projects, so that you can trust us with your work.