Concrete, like any other surface, gets damaged over time. Eventually, it wears down, cracks, and breaks apart. This, in itself, is natural. However, due to concrete’s durability, this shouldn’t happen for a few decades.

But concrete can be broken down much more quickly than that due to external forces. Here are some of the most common causes for concrete damage.

Bad Concrete Job

One of the leading reasons concrete becomes damaged prematurely is because it wasn’t poured right in the first place. There are a lot of factors that go into pouring concrete, and when they’re not followed, problems arise.

If too much water was used in the mix, excess cracks will likely appear shortly after it dries. This compromises the structural integrity and leads to early degradation. Cold temperatures can have a negative impact on concrete pouring as well. While there are ways to lay concrete in cooler weather conditions, they require special considerations and an extra skillful hand.

Improper preparation can lead to concrete falling apart as well. If the ground isn’t level or properly set before the pour, you’ll see problems sooner rather than later.

Inadequate re-enforcement or control joints are another cause for concrete problems.

Whenever you’re hiring someone pour concrete, make sure they’re reputable and experienced. Otherwise, you’ll need to rehire someone to fix it. Only pour your own concrete if you know what you’re doing.

De-Icing Salt

It’s relatively common knowledge that most de-icing materials are very hard on concrete. While they’re effective at removing the ice, they may take the surface of your concrete with it. Concrete is porous by nature. When you put salt on ice and snow, it creates a chemical reaction, causing it to melt. The melted water then seeps into the surface of the concrete, refreezing and breaking up the concrete.

A better alternative is to place sand on top of ice. If you must use salt, try and scoop away the melted ice and snow immediately.

Too Much Weight

When concrete is poured, a certain amount of weight is taken into account. When this weight limit is exceeded, some serious cracking can take place. Make sure you account for all of the objects that will be resting on your concrete floor before it’s poured.

Shifting Foundation

This is something that’s generally out of your control. Ground shifts over time. Buildings and houses may sink slightly into the earth. All of this can cause your concrete to break apart. If you find your home is severely shifting, you may need to take additional action to stabilize the foundation.

Repairing Concrete

Should your concrete start to crack, chip, and break-up prematurely, you may still be able to save it. Concrete repair can help fix minor blemishes, preventing further damage while restoring its appearance. For more present damage, you may want to consider concrete resurfacing. This involves putting a brand-new surface layer across the concrete floor, leaving it with a like-new finish for a much more affordable cost.

For concrete resurfacing and concrete repair in Ohio, contact Select Flooring Systems today!