Slab Crack Repair
Slab Crack Repair
As easy as 1-2-3!
What is a Slab?
A slab is a reinforced structure made out of concrete and is used as the foundation below a home, which supports the load. It is relatively shallow, but much wider in comparison to its depth. Typically, a slab will be between 3 and 4 inches thick. Most often, a concrete slab is what is used to construct floors and ceilings that span between beams, girders, or columns. Slabs that are thinner are often used for paving the exterior of a home.
How Are Slabs Built?
Concrete slabs are usually built on site. The tool for building these slabs is called formwork, which is a type of box-shaped mold into which wet concrete is poured. After the concrete dries and hardens, the slab is complete. In order to reinforce the concrete slab, rebar will be placed within the formwork prior to the concrete being poured inside the mold. Weinstein Retrofitting systems can check the condition of and will offer the best solution to fix your broken slab.
Why Is My Slab Cracked?
Concrete, by nature, is prone to cracks in the case of normal wear and tear and also in the drying process when first formed. Additionally, the unwelcome presence of water in or around a home’s foundation can be a cause of cracked concrete. A burst pipe could allow water to sneak in underneath your home and do a lot of damage as well. If there are environmental changes to the integrity of the soil around your home, your foundation can be at risk for sinking and, as such, your slab foundation is at risk of cracking. Finally, if the slab foundation under your home is old or if it was not properly reinforced with rebar when built, there is a significant risk for cracking.
How Do I Know if My Slab is Cracked?
As stated above, there are a variety of reasons that a slab will crack. That said, if a crack is not properly repaired early on, it can expand and become a much larger problem for your foundation. Luckily, there are several indicators that you can see around your home that will help you catch a cracked foundation and get it repaired before it’s too late.
The following symptoms are signs to look out for if you are concerned that you might have a broken slab:
- Unleveled floors
- Broken floor tiles
- Sloping floors
- Bumps in carpet
- Cracks around windows and door frames
- Sticky doors or windows that are difficult to open and close
How Can I Get My Slab Crack Repaired?
Thought it might seem like a daunting task, with the right contractor, slab crack repair is an easily managed process.
- First, we take a look at the crack and make an outline around it, during which time the concrete is also being prepared.
- We saw cut the concrete around its outline and then demolish and remove the concrete in that area.
- Next, we drill and place steel rebar reinforcement.
- Then, we tie together the rebar connections and pour concrete to fill in the open area.
In the picture down below you can see the process of slab repair:
slab crack repair is as easy as 1, 2, 3.