Know more about how to prevent concrete from cracking and why it happens in the first place.
Concrete is well-known to be durable and lasts for a long time when mixed and installed correctly. Concrete contractors (like us) follow precise guidelines to accomplish high-quality concrete pouring. A well-poured concrete should be durable, sturdy, and resistant to cracks.
Why does concrete crack?
Here are some of the reasons why:
- Excess water in the mix
- Improper curing
- Rapid drying of concrete
Here are some things that contractors do to prevent concrete from cracking:
- Adjusting water in the mix
- Reducing the ratio between water, cement, and aggregate will improve the quality of the concrete. Know that concrete expands and shrinks when there’s a change in temperature and moisture. That’s why if there’s excess water in the concrete mixture, it will cause shrinkage that leads to cracks.
However, there’s no one perfect recipe that will work. You need to adjust the water depending on your location’s climate and weather. Temperature, amount of sunlight, and humidity level affect the curing time and the maximum strength that concrete can achieve.
Using appropriate mix ratio
The ingredients you use for your mix should be properly proportioned and mixed thoroughly to prevent cracks. If you put disproportionate amounts of any of the components in the mix, the resulting concrete’s strength and curing time will also change.
Here’s an example of a good quality concrete ratio: Four-two-one ratio (seven part mix): four parts gravel, two parts sand, and one part of cement.
Curing properly
Proper curing of concrete usually takes about 1–2 weeks. The curing period depends on the weather, placement of the concrete, and the concrete mix. But a properly cured concrete should be ready 28 days after it was poured.
Proper concrete curing will prevent shrinkage and cracking. Thus, it will improve its strength, stability, and durability.
