Concrete is the most common building material out there. So much so that Canada will produce 55 million tonnes of cement and 400 million tonnes of concrete over the next five years.
To put this into perspective, this is enough to fill concrete mixer trucks to circle the globe 4.5 times.
Concrete is popular because it comes with a lot of benefits, but there are common concrete issues you should know about. Keep reading to learn what they are and how a concrete service company can help address them.
Concrete Cracks
Cracks can arise in concrete for various reasons, such as temperature fluctuations, rapid drying, and external loads. These cracks can range from small surface-level cracks to significant splits.
Concrete cracks are especially common in high-traffic areas, such as:
Walkways
Garages
Pool decks
To fix this issue, a concrete service company like Champion Concrete can patch the cracks with grout or mortar, or apply a concrete-specific caulk to seal the gaps.
Patching cracks with grout or mortar is the most common way to address cracks, but it's only a temporary solution.
Concrete caulk, in contrast, will flex with the natural movement of concrete to keep it in place so that it doesn't chip away. This is the better option if you want a long-term solution to cracks.
Broken Concrete Slab Corner
A concrete slab will move naturally placing tension on adjoining slabs. This causes the concrete to break off into large pieces. This is often seen on porches, patios, and concrete steps where handrails are drilled into concrete.
A concrete service company can help you patch up the problem or replace the slab.
Patching kits can replace the missing chunks of concrete for a while. It's a great temporary fix if you don't want to replace the entire slab.
However, patched concrete steps may be dangerous because they can break off when people step onto them. The only way to permanently fix the problem is to replace the entire section with a concrete demolition contractor.
Concrete Stains and Discoloration
Another one of the most common concrete issues is stains. Mold, falling leaves, oil stains, dirt, and built-up grime can cause stains that lead to concrete discoloration.
This might not seem like a big deal, but it's very noticeable on patios, walkways, and driveways.
You can clean stained concrete with a pressure washer to lift the layer of grime causing discoloration. For tougher stains like deep oil sports, using a heavy-duty stain remover is the best plan of action.
To avoid this problem in the future, protect your concrete with durable concrete finishing that is stain-resistant and easy to clean.
How Can a Concrete Service Company Help?
Even if you take good care of your concrete, these common issues may arise at a certain point. Luckily, a concrete service company like Champion Concrete offers a wide range of services that can fix these issues and prevent them.
Our experienced concrete contractors will take a look at your concrete problem and help you decide on the best plan of action.
Since 1990, we've been helping Edmonton and the surrounding areas with concrete construction and cutting. Connect with us today for all of your concrete needs.
Â