What to Do After You Raise That Concrete Slab

Repairing a sinking concrete slab is as easy as raising it by filling in the void underneath with an aggregate mixture that cures as hard as rock. In Salt Lake City, Utah, the Concrete Raising Company affects these sorts of repairs on everything from concrete slabs to foundations and steps. But sometimes, a little more work is required.

There are times when sinking concrete cracks. There are times when, in addition to sinking, concrete also appears spalled. This additional damage has to be dealt with after the concrete has been raised. If you simply raise a damaged slab without dealing with the damage, your slab repair is incomplete.

Damage Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Raising and leveling sinking concrete is often a better choice than a complete replacement. But it is only the first step. Any damage to the concrete should not be ignored. Why? Because allowing cracks and spalling to remain can lead to future problems:

• Spalling can gradually spread over time
• Cracks can grow with repeated freeze-thaw cycles
• Moisture can get underneath the concrete and further erode soil.

The thing to understand here is that sinking concrete is rarely an isolated problem. It is caused by underlying problems that could eventually threaten the structural integrity of the concrete if not addressed. Therefore, it makes no sense to raise a sinking concrete slab and not deal with the other damage left behind.

Repairing Cracks and Holes

It is pretty common for sinking concrete to crack. It cracks because part of the structure is not being properly supported. Unsupported concrete essentially cracks under its own weight. You can fix cracks after leveling by using quick dry cement or a concrete patch kit found in your DIY home improvement store.

Actual holes in the concrete might be too big for mere patching. You may have to purchase a bag of concrete, mix it with water, and fill the holes. This is not a complicated job by any means, so don’t get anxious. Anyone who can read instructions can affect this sort of repair.

Addressing Spalled Concrete

Spalling is not as serious an issue as major cracks and holes, but it can lead to more serious issues if not addressed. Ignore spalled concrete and it could soon become cracked concrete. Future cracks could lead to water getting under your slab and eroding soil. Then you might find yourself right back where you started before the slab repair.

Spalling can be addressed with a thin layer of patch concrete or a thicker overlay. You can purchase both products at your DIY store. When you do, be sure to read the specifications before you buy. Many products have limits. If the spalling is severe enough, you might have no choice but to go with an overlay. You will not know if you do not check the specs first.

Repair As Soon As Possible

The Concrete Raising Company recommends repairs in the Salt Lake City area be addressed as soon as possible. Salt Lake’s weather and environmental conditions are quite conducive to creating major problems from minor ones. They recommend planning for repairs as soon as a concrete slab problem is noticed.

Elsewhere in the country, weather and environment affect concrete in different ways. In northern environments with harsh winters, the freeze-thaw cycle can be very harsh on broken and sinking concrete. Concrete seems to do better in the south and southeast, but repairs should still not be ignored.

And now you know what to do after you raise a sinking concrete slab or steps. Get those other repairs done right away to prevent any more damage.