Altadena Concrete Contractors
626-414-4418
Concrete Repair
Concrete repair is one of the most common jobs that concrete contractors are asked to perform. Homeowners see cracks, uneven surfacees, chipped edges, or other kinds of deterioration, and they wonder if repair is possible or if complete replacement will be needed. In many cases, happily, concrete repair can resolve localized damage and extend the useful life of concrete.
While concrete is designed to be very durable, it doesn't last forever. Weather exposure, soiil settling or movement, drainage problems, tree roots and aging all can contribute to damage over time. While some cracks are mostly cosmetic, other cracks can be signs of larger structural problems below the surface.
Understanding the cause of concrete damage is a first step in making informed decisions about whether to repair or whether to replace concrete.
What is Involved in Concrete Repair
Concrete repair corrects areas of damaged concrete with the goal of restoring appearance, improving safety and addressing problems before they can become more serious.
Concrete repair can involve:
- Crack repair
- Surface repair
- Repairing chipped edges
- Correcting localized damage
- Addressing minor settlement issues
- Restoring deteriorated sections of cement
Signs You May Need Concrete Repair
Common signs that concrete repair may be needed include:
- Visible cracking
- Uneven surface
- Chipped edges
- Surface flaking
- Pooling water on the surface
- Any condition that is a tripping hazard
- Areas of visible deterioration
Why Concrete Cracks
Concrete cracks are common, and often the first sign of aging concrete. Concrete is extremely durable, and yet it naturally will be affected by stresses over time from. Common causes of cracks developing include:
- Tree rootss
- Soil movement, Ground settling
- Heavy vehicle loads
- Weather exposure
- Aging over time
- Drainage problems
Understanding the cause of cracks can be very important, since some cracks may continue to develop further, while other are small and are stable in condition.
Drainage Problems and Concrete Damage
Drainage conditions and lack of drainage often contribute to concrete damage that leads to concrete repair. If water is repeatedly pooling under or around concrete, it can weaker the supporting soil and contribute to soil settlement or soil movement.
Signs that homeowners may notice of drainage issues include:
- Standing water
- Soil erosion
- Uneven sections of concrete
- Concrete that cracks repeatedly
- Washout -- fast-moving water that displaces soil
Concrete Driveway Repair
Driveways are a common place where concrete repairs are needed. Driveways get a lot of wera from supporting heavy vehicles day to day, so they are stressed more tha many other concrete surfaces.
Repairing a driveway may be needed when you see:
- Surface cracking
- Settlement, uneven heights
- Concrete that is chipped, flaking or crumbling, leaving a pitted surface
- Difficulty draining, standing water
Patio and Walkway Repair
Patios and walkways can have the same kinds of damage as driveways, with weather exposure, drainage issues, settlement and age all being factors that can contribute to wear.
Concrete repair may be able to resolve:
- Small or localized cracks in patios
- Uneven walkways
- Chips in edges or corners
- Surface wear, pitting, rough patches
- OPther localized damage
Concrete Repair After Rebuilding Projects
Lots of homeowners in Altadena are starting or continuing to rebuild after the Eaton Fire. And, as construction work moves forward, often homeowners will discover that existing concrete has been damaged and needs to be evaluated.
In some cases, concrete repair may remedy the damage enough. And in many cases, replacing the concrete entirely may be needed or recommended, due to extensive deterioration to the cement.
What Happens If Concrete Damage Is Ignored?
While not every crack needs to be repaired right away, cracks -- and other damage -- will often become worse over time. Some of the conditions that caused the crack or other damage to begin with will continue, and contribute to continuing deterioration.
Ignoring concrete damage could result in consequences such as:
- Cracks that become larger over time
- Settlement of soil and concrete that continue, and increase
- Drainage problems that persist
- Continuing surface deterioration of the concrete
- Future repair work that is more extensive
While each situation needs to be evaluated on its own, homeowners often find that addressing small concrete problems early is easier than waiting and addressing the problem later, when it has become a bigger problem.
Repair vs. Replacement
Repair of existing concrete may be appropriate when:
- Damaged area is relatively small or localized
- Cracks are small or limited
- Settlement is minor
- Concrete is still structurally sound, and stable
Replacement of concrete may be more appropriate when:
- Damaged area is large or widespread
- Settlement is severe
- Drainage problems are continuing or return repeatedly
- Previous repairs have failed or repairs have been repeated
- Concrete has aged so much that ongoing deterioration is expected
What Affects the Cost of Concrete Repair
Quite a few things will affect the cost and scope of a concrete repair job:
- Extent of damage and size of the damaged area
- Location of the area to be repaired and access
- Drainage conditions
- Underlying soil issues
- Condition of the surface of the cement
What is required to do a cement repair job varies a lot from one situation to another.
Frequently Asked Questions about
Concrete Repair
Can cracked concrete be repaired?
Yes, many cracks can be repaired, depending on the cause and depending on the size of the crack and the condition of the cement around the crack.
Does cracked concrete always need to be replaced?
No, In some cases, cracks can be repaired. In other cases replacement is needed because there is extensive damage.
Why does concrete crack?
Concrete can crack for a number of reasons, such as soil movement, drainage problems, tree roots, settling of the concrete, weather exposure, and from aging.
Can uneven concrete be repaired?
Some uneven concrete surfaces can be repaired, depending on how big the difference is in height, and what has caused the concrete to move.
Is concrete repair worthwhile?
If damage is limited, and if the concrete is structurally sound, repair might well extent the useful life of the concrete and restore the surface.
What will happen if I ignore cracks in concrete?
Sometimes small cracks can grow over time. Underlying issues like drainage problems, or settlement, can continue and can worsen. Having the cement evaluated will most likely determine the cause of the damage.
How do I know whether I need repair or replacement of damaged concrete?
Having damaged concrete evaluated can help you determine the best course of action. The answer depends on how much damage there is, the general condition of the concrete, and sometimes whether there are underlying conditions that can be resolved or addressed to limit continuing damage
Request a Free Estimate
Whatever sort of damage you are noticing, it's good to understand the cause of the problem. We can help you understand your options, and decide on steps to take to address the situation. Call now for a free estimate.