| A Word About Cracks |
| DRIVEWAYS!! |
| POOL DECKS!! |
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COMMERCIAL!!
Custom Concrete Surfaces
| Branson, MO |
Harrison, AR
| PATIOS!! |
| INTERIOR!! |
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In the decorative concrete industry, one subject that almost
always comes up are cracks. The information below is
intended to help our clients understand why cracking occurs
and what can be done to help reduce the chances of a
crack returning after an overlay is installed. It is our
opinion that cracks do not necessarily blemish a floor, but
rather, add charm, character, and uniqueness. Many times,
cracks can even be incorporated into a desired pattern.
AMC can "treat" cracks with a high strength
epoxy/aggregate mixture allowing an overlay to cover the
crack completely. However, we cannot warranty cracking
or crack treatments of any kind.
Nothing repairs a crack - its always there. We can fill 'em,
seal 'em, weld 'em, and cosmetically hide 'em, but they're
still there. Concrete, like all other materials, will slightly
change in volume when it dries out. In typical concrete this
change amounts to about 500 millionths. Translated into
dimensions-this is about 1/16 of an inch in 10 feet. The
reason that contractors put joints in concrete pavements and
floors is to allow the concrete to crack in a neat, straight line
at the joint when the volume of the concrete changes due to
shrinkage.
Concrete cracks for a reason. There's either internal or
external forces which cause a fracture. External forces such
as poor sub-grade or impact fracture. If there is unlevel,
sunken or raised areas, there may be a problem with the
sub-grade or water infiltration (look for down spouts
dumping on a trapped side of the slab). If you have an
area that has concentrated cracks radiating outward, this is
a compression fracture: some one parked the truck on it the
day after the pour or a tree fell hitting with the weight
concentrated on that area. Also, this will happen in corners
or at flairs where the concrete gets less than a foot or so
wide.
Internal stresses are caused by improper expansion areas.
Contractors try to foresee these stress cracks and apply
weak areas to control the crack lines. They are often not
placed correctly or even not at all.
When a crack occurs, the slab becomes two separate
entities, expanding and contracting independently of each
other. When we attempt to marry these two together, we must
take into consideration their differences. You should always
try to cut another crack control joint to take the stresses of the
original crack if the pattern allows.
The epoxy crack fill will take great stresses before it fails. If
you cut another crack control joint near the original stress
area, when the stress occurs (usually expansion and
contraction with weather changes) the crack will appear in
the line of least resistance. Cutting your relief cut close to the
original crack, bonding the original crack together with some
really tough stuff, and giving the stress another avenue to
go..... Now here goes: You HOPE it does what you intend it
to do. It looks good on paper and often it works, but don't bet
the farm on it. However, we offer what we feel is the best
option available.
always comes up are cracks. The information below is
intended to help our clients understand why cracking occurs
and what can be done to help reduce the chances of a
crack returning after an overlay is installed. It is our
opinion that cracks do not necessarily blemish a floor, but
rather, add charm, character, and uniqueness. Many times,
cracks can even be incorporated into a desired pattern.
AMC can "treat" cracks with a high strength
epoxy/aggregate mixture allowing an overlay to cover the
crack completely. However, we cannot warranty cracking
or crack treatments of any kind.
Nothing repairs a crack - its always there. We can fill 'em,
seal 'em, weld 'em, and cosmetically hide 'em, but they're
still there. Concrete, like all other materials, will slightly
change in volume when it dries out. In typical concrete this
change amounts to about 500 millionths. Translated into
dimensions-this is about 1/16 of an inch in 10 feet. The
reason that contractors put joints in concrete pavements and
floors is to allow the concrete to crack in a neat, straight line
at the joint when the volume of the concrete changes due to
shrinkage.
Concrete cracks for a reason. There's either internal or
external forces which cause a fracture. External forces such
as poor sub-grade or impact fracture. If there is unlevel,
sunken or raised areas, there may be a problem with the
sub-grade or water infiltration (look for down spouts
dumping on a trapped side of the slab). If you have an
area that has concentrated cracks radiating outward, this is
a compression fracture: some one parked the truck on it the
day after the pour or a tree fell hitting with the weight
concentrated on that area. Also, this will happen in corners
or at flairs where the concrete gets less than a foot or so
wide.
Internal stresses are caused by improper expansion areas.
Contractors try to foresee these stress cracks and apply
weak areas to control the crack lines. They are often not
placed correctly or even not at all.
When a crack occurs, the slab becomes two separate
entities, expanding and contracting independently of each
other. When we attempt to marry these two together, we must
take into consideration their differences. You should always
try to cut another crack control joint to take the stresses of the
original crack if the pattern allows.
The epoxy crack fill will take great stresses before it fails. If
you cut another crack control joint near the original stress
area, when the stress occurs (usually expansion and
contraction with weather changes) the crack will appear in
the line of least resistance. Cutting your relief cut close to the
original crack, bonding the original crack together with some
really tough stuff, and giving the stress another avenue to
go..... Now here goes: You HOPE it does what you intend it
to do. It looks good on paper and often it works, but don't bet
the farm on it. However, we offer what we feel is the best
option available.
