4 Causes of Sinking Concrete
The usage of concrete worldwide is twice that of steel, wood, plastics, and aluminum combined and is one of the most durable building materials. Even though it is the most durable, it is not indestructible. Step outside and take a look around. You may see a sidewalk that has become uneven, a patio that has fallen, a driveway that is cracked and shifting. These are all signs of sunken concrete. Concrete sinks because of 4 main reasons.
- Poor soil can create a big problem for concrete! It rains and then becomes dry then rains again and the cycle continues. Weather has a direct effect on the soil underneath your driveway, sidewalk, or patio. When clay soil gets wet (which is commonly clay in the Chicagoland areas), they hold onto the water and expand in size. Later when the soil dries out it begins to shrink. This condition allows patios, driveways, and sidewalks to sink.
- Soil compaction refers to the density of the soil and is an important part in construction and pouring concrete. If the soil is not properly compacted prior to pouring the concrete it creates an unstable base for the concrete to be poured onto.
- Tree roots can wreak havoc on a sidewalk, patio, or driveway, especially in a drought. When drought conditions persist soil around our homes begins to lose its moisture through a process called desiccation. Trees and shrubs, often planted close to houses, extend their root systems deeper and wider in search of the water they need to survive.
- Soil erosion is when soil sinks due to forces of nature such as wind or rain. It is common to see this happen near your home when you have overflowing gutters or if downspouts are not positioned away from your home’s foundation. To minimize erosion, keep gutters clean and ensure you have good drainage.
Often homeowners are unsure of how to fix the problem of sunken concrete. They often think their only choice is to replace it. That is inconvenient, costly, and disruptive. Fortunately, there is a simpler and more economical way to do it! Polyurethane Concrete Raising! Polyurethane is a lightweight resin foam that gets injected into holes and expands beneath the concrete raising it up. This expansion takes only seconds and once the concrete is raised, the polyurethane thoroughly cures in about 30 minutes. Not so much of an inconvenience, huh?
U.S. Waterproofing has repaired hundreds of sinking concrete issues from sidewalks, driveways and patios! We place a high value on our integrity and honesty. You can book a free estimate and have one of our professional Advisors come take a look at your issue. With a 4.6 star rating on Google Reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau you can’t go wrong with U.S. Waterproofing.
