Three Things that You Must Know About Small Concrete Repairs
Posted on: 21 November 2018
Concrete is one of the most common flooring and general construction materials. One of the significant challenges of using concrete as a building material is that it tends to contract and expand a lot and when the seasons change from winter to summer, and lines of weakness start appearing on the material. As such, it is crucial to make sure that you understand what to do when you notice gaps that need repair on your concrete.
Identifying the type of damage
You can only repair the damage well if you understand what caused it. For instance, plastic shrinkage damage is characterised by cracks that run midway deep into the concrete. The breaks also tend to be evenly distributed and are short. Plastic shrinkage damage happens when the concrete is curing and is the result of the concrete on the surface curing faster than the layers below. On the other hand, hairline cracks are thin but deep. They result from concrete settling during the curing process and tend to increase in size when the concrete has completely hardened. Other damages include scaling and bubbles.
Using the right repair product
After identifying the damage type and cause, you can pick the right material for the repairs. Small cracks can be quickly filled using crack filler. The filler is made of a waterproof material that prevents further damage to the concrete by providing a waterproof cover. When getting filler, select brands that have been around for a long time and are trusted for quality, because it is the only way you can be assured the repair will last. Generally, filler sets in an hour or less.
Hiding the repaired bits
Another concern that homeowners have when performing repairs on their concrete is how they will match the fixed bits to the original colour of their concrete. While it is close to impossible to find an exact colour match to the condition of your concrete, especially if it is not new, you can try and get filler that closely approximates the colour. With time, the two colours will blend, and the patch will be less noticeable.
Immediate repairs after the damage has occurred is recommended because water is the worst thing that can happen to your concrete surfaces. If you are not sure how to perform concrete repairs after the damage has occurred, call in a concrete repair contractor to help figure out the best way to handle the problem.
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