What Causes Concrete to Crack?

Although cracked or sunken concrete is common, the effects of concrete damage can be frustrating to deal with. Thankfully there are solutions such as concrete lifting that can repair your damaged concrete and restore it back to its original stability. Before repairing your concrete, it’s important to understand the reason for the damage. Here is what you should know about what causes concrete problems.

Common Causes of Concrete Damage

Uneven and sunken concrete is more than just an eyesore, it can become dangerous for anyone using it. If left unrepaired, it can also cause foundation damage to your home. Here are some of the most common ways concrete becomes damaged.

Soil Washout

South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia have a variety of soil types ranging from sand to clay ingredients. The area’s frequent rain and heavy storms can easily saturate the soil and even wash it away with strong flooding waters. Voids are left between the soil and concrete slabs when the soil underneath concrete washes out. This leads to problems including cracking and sinking concrete slabs.

Drought and Dry Soil

While wet weather is common throughout the area, there may be times of drought or lack of moisture. As the soil dries out, it shrinks and settles underneath the concrete. As with washout, shrinking soil also leaves behind voids that concrete slabs can settle into.

Tree Roots

While the trees of South Carolina and North Carolina are beautiful, some may be inadvertently causing damage to your home and its concrete structures. As trees grow and mature, so do their roots in search of nutrients. Certain species of trees have aggressive roots and may shift the soil under and around your concrete. Shifting soil under concrete can result in cracking and uneven slabs. Tree roots can even grow through cracks and gaps in the concrete.

Trust the Team at Mount Valley Foundation Services to Repair Your Sunken Concrete

If you have issues with your property’s concrete including a cracking sidewalk or sunken driveway, it’s time to call the experts at Mount Valley Foundation Services for a quality solution. We offer a minimally invasive, fast, and effective repair with our PolyRenewal™ foam injections.

Contact us by calling or emailing to set up a free, no-obligation inspection and written estimate to learn more about how PolyRenewal™ can make a difference in your home. We offer free estimates on all of our concrete lifting services throughout the South Carolina and Western North Carolina areas.