Common Concrete Problems & Solutions

Concrete is one of the most common building materials in the world. It’s strong, durable, affordable, and can be used for a variety of purposes. However, concrete is not perfect and can sometimes experience problems like cracking, sinking, buckling, water runoff, discoloration, and crazing. If you’re experiencing any of these concrete problems, don’t worry – there are solutions! Keep reading to learn more.

At Intelligent Concrete Lifting & Stabilization of Reno and Sacramento, we help people just like you with expert residential concrete lifting, commercial concrete lifting, soil stabilization, void filling, and more. If you have questions about concrete raising or are ready to schedule your service, give us a call today.

Here are some of the most common concrete problems we see and their solutions:

Sinking: If your concrete is sinking, it’s likely due to soil settling. This can be caused by a variety of things, including poor drainage, erosion, compaction, or even tree roots. The good news is that concrete raising is an effective solution for this problem. By injecting polyurethane foam into the affected area, we can raise your concrete back to its original position.

Cracking: Cracks in concrete are also common, and can be caused by a variety of things, including poor construction, settling soil, temperature changes, water damage, and more. While small cracks may not seem like a big deal, they can let water and moisture into your home or commercial building, which can lead to even more damage. Concrete lifting is a great way to fix cracks and prevent future problems. Void filling and soil stabilization are other good solutions depending on the state of the soil beneath the affected concrete.

Buckling: Another common concrete problem is buckling, which occurs when the soil underneath your concrete begins to shift or move. This can be caused by things like poor drainage, erosion, compaction, or even tree roots. If you notice that your concrete is beginning to buckle, it’s important to call a professional as soon as possible. concrete lifting can often fix buckling concrete, but void filling and soil stabilization may also be necessary in some cases.

Water Runoff: Water runoff is another problem that can occur with concrete. It happens when water doesn’t drain properly from your concrete and pools on the surface or drains toward your home or building. This can lead to a number of problems, including dangerous basement moisture issues and cracking, buckling, and discoloration of your concrete. To fix water runoff, you may need to improve your concrete’s drainage system. This can be done through soil grading or installing French drains around your property.

Discoloration: Discoloration is another common concrete problem. It can be caused by a variety of things, including weathering, water damage, spills, and more. If your concrete is discolored, there are a few things you can do to try to fix it. You can power wash it or use a concrete cleaner specifically designed for discoloration. In some cases, you may need to have your concrete resurfaced.

Crazing: Crazing is a type of concrete cracking that looks like a spider web. It’s caused by things like weathering, water damage, and improperly mixed or poured concrete. While crazing doesn’t necessarily mean that your concrete is structurally unsound, it can be unsightly. It’s usually impossible to completely fix crazing, but you can try to cover it using epoxy paint or by resurfacing your concrete.