subject: Taking Care Of Your Driveway [print this page] Despite any homeowners efforts, a concrete slab is bound to crack at one point. This cracking might be brought about by the constant pressure applied to it coupled with the changing condition of the soil underneath it. In truth, there are actually different types of cracks that a concrete slab might have.
Oftentimes, homeowners might encounter random cracks in their concrete slab. This is primarily brought about by normal shrinkage of the concrete slab as well as any movement in the underlying soil. Oftentimes, this type of crack can cause water and moisture to seep in.
Another type of crack is the heaving crack. This oftentimes appear when the concrete slab is exposed to extremely cold conditions causing it to freeze. It can also happen when concrete is poured over soil where water has not been properly drained. What makes this a major problem is that the appearing cracks can cause more water to seep in.
There is no need to fret however when confronted with this different types of cracks as there are some easy driveway concrete repair solutions that you can do on your own. For example, you can make a gravel mix for repairing major cracks in your driveway. This mixture is made from one part Portland cement, two parts sand, and three parts gravel making it more reliable than a sand mix.
You would also need to do an undercut on the concrete slab for your driveway concrete repair. This would make it more structurally dependable since the old concrete would bond more securely with the new concrete. Once you have placed the gravel mix on the undercut portion, let it set for five days making sure that you sprinkle water once each day. During this time, make sure that you do not subject the area to heavy load.
If you are not familiar with how to repair cracked foundation as well as damaged driveways, it would be much better for you to get in touch with a professional. Keep in mind that, in most instances, what could be a simple crack may have major underlying causes.
