What Causes Concrete to Crack?

Cracked concrete is common on driveways, patios, sidewalks, and other outdoor surfaces. Left unaddressed, though, these cracks create safety risks and trip hazards.

The best way to repair cracked or sunken slabs is with a solution that addresses the reason why the concrete cracked in the first place. Before scheduling a repair, read this page to better understand the causes of concrete damage and the signs to look for around your property.

The most common causes of concrete damage are soil washout due to heavy rain or floods, drought, and large tree roots. Uneven, cracked concrete surfaces can be dangerous to walk or drive on, and can potentially contribute to foundation damage.

Soil washout causes concrete to crack by eroding the ground beneath slabs, leaving voids that make the concrete sink and break apart.

Without solid support, slabs become uneven, creating trip hazards and increasing the risk of structural damage.

Drought and dry soil damage concrete slabs by causing the ground beneath them to shrink and settle. As soil contracts, it leaves gaps beneath the concrete. With nothing to support it, the slab begins to sink and crack.

This problem is common in areas with clay-rich soils that expand when wet and shrink when dry.

Tree roots cause concrete to crack and settle by shifting soil and exerting pressure on slabs. In the Carolinas, certain tree species grow large, aggressive root systems that spread in search of water.

Roots may shift the soil beneath your slabs, cause cracking, and even grow through existing gaps in the concrete.

The most effective way to repair cracked or sunken concrete is through professional concrete lifting services. At Mount Valley Foundation Services, we use PolyRenewal™ concrete lifting foam injections, a minimally invasive solution that lifts, levels, and stabilizes concrete more effectively than traditional mudjacking.

This waterproof, environmentally-friendly polyurethane foam addresses the unstable soil beneath the slab, providing a long-term solution for cracked concrete.

If you notice a cracked sidewalk, sunken driveway, or uneven patio, contact Mount Valley Foundation Services for a free concrete inspection. We proudly serve homeowners across South Carolina, Western North Carolina, and Georgia, with trusted concrete lifting and repair solutions.

Schedule your free inspection with Mount Valley Foundation Services today and restore safety and stability to your concrete with PolyRenewal foam.