Concrete Repair In The Winter

Ice and cracks are not a good combination. If you have cracks in your concrete, they can let water in and if that water freezes, the crack will grow bigger. As we all know, a Kansas City winter can be a nightmare!

Ice Can Be Destructive to Concrete

When water turns to ice, it can expand almost 10% more in volume than its liquid amount. This is a small number in the big scheme of things, but even a small change in a crack can cause a big problem. The pressure behind expanding ice is very strong. According to chemical engineer Geoffrey Widdison, freezing water can theoretically exert around 30,000 psi! That amount of force can easily destroy concrete foundations and slabs. The cracks can spread and grow wider, causing a wide variety of structural problems. The problems can happen when your property experiences its first freeze-thaw cycle, getting worse with every cycle.

As stated earlier, this can impact both foundations or concrete slabs. Once water enters the crack, your home or business could have water in the basement or crawl space or it could enter the foundation walls. Water can also cause concrete shrinkage and other structural damage.

Ice Can Cause Concrete Problems

As much as some of us would like to stop winter from coming, it comes just the same. The winter weather in Kansas City can damage your concrete slab, foundation walls, and any other concrete surface you may have at your home or business. The surface of the concrete can be a victim of “mortar flaking“. This occurs when the top layer of the concrete peels or flakes off.

As we stated above, any previous cracks can get bigger and longer and new cracks may form. Cracked concrete loses a lot of its strength and can lead to foundation failure or trip hazards on concrete slabs.

Yet another problem is something called “popout”. Popout occurs when the water behind or underneath a concrete surface swells, pushing against the concrete. It can cause flaking, crumbling, and cracking. This can occur at any time of the year, but it is more prevalent in the winter months.

Tips For Keeping Your Concrete Safe

The best thing you can do to protect your concrete is to keep water from freezing on it or next to it, but that’s pretty difficult. Make sure that your home or business is ready for the winter weather. Downspouts and gutters should be clear and drain well away from the foundation, at least 10 feet or more. Clear snow and ice from around the foundation; melting snow can run down the foundation walls and cause problems.

Polyjacking.com can help you keep your concrete stable and safe. With Pro Foundation Technology behind us, we can offer waterproofing, concrete lifting, and more. We’ll keep your home or business safe, dry, and comfortable.

Get your Kansas City property ready before the winter really gets nasty, so you won’t have to worry about problems with your concrete and foundation. Contact Polyjacking.com now and let us help you get ready for a visit from Old Man Winter!