Thursday 8 January 2015

Cracking- A Common Defect in Concrete

Concrete has become the go top material for constriction. It is easy to produce, has a manageable cost and best of all could be customized for all applications. The fact that concrete is durable and lasts for a long time is the main reason why almost every construction project in the world depends upon it.

However, over time, concrete does develop defects and faults that could range from annoyance to outright hazards. The problem lies in the fact that correct mixing of concrete is often skipped because of time constraints. This is why a number of concrete contractors in Houston take their time in mixing and pouring concrete. Issue arises when the main developer wished to hurries things. They often start work even before the concrete is fully set. The result is multiple layered concrete where strong and weaker layers are intermixed together. These layers, when subjected to the stresses of construction develop faults tat often become visible after several years of use.

One of the most common complains that concreter contractors in Houston and surrounding cities encounter is cracked concrete. The main cause of this is the heat stress caused by the sunny conditions of the cities. The heat causes concrete to expand. The cracks develop when there is insufficient space for the concrete to expand. The constant stress of expansion and contraction would cause cracks to develop between the layers of concrete. Over years, these cracks would become visible on the surface.

The best way to deal with the issue is to get a contractor to refill large cracks. Many concreter contractors in Houston usually provide a restoration service that deal with the issue.

Cracks in foundations should be taken very seriously because of the danger to the entire construction. The contractor usually starts with these cracks and work their way to the less dangerous cracks in the building.