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Cracks in concrete are very common and often alarming and misleading for a homeowner. Unless you are a structural engineer or a connoisseur of engineering journals you may not know that concrete is designed to crack. In fact, most if not all concrete slabs will crack and as a homeowner you should know that you can’t prevent the cracking, but you can limit the spread. According to the American Concrete Institute (The governing standard for concrete construction) in ACI 302.1-04, “Even with the best floor designs and proper construction, it is unrealistic to expect crack-free and curl-free floors. Consequently, every owner should be advised by both the designer and contractor that it is normal to expect some amount of cracking and curling on every project, and that such occurrence does not necessarily reflect adversely on either the adequacy of the floor’s design or the quality of its construction (Ytterberg1987; Campbell et al. 1976)” TYPES OF CRACKS Concrete cracks can be considered to be of two general types: structural or architectural. Generally speaking, architectural cracks are unsightly but seldom a reason for alarm. Often plastic shrinking cracks (image above) are only hairline and sometimes not visible to the naked eye. But even these types of cracks extend below the surface and into the full depth of the foundation. The width of these cracks can be minimized by properly reinforcing the foundation and preparing the subgrade. For this reason, beware of the contractor who sets forms, hauls in fill and compacts it with inadequate equipment or fails to perform appropriate density testing. Improperly prepared sub base can result in foundation settlement causing even the smallest architectural cracks to turn into structural cracks requiring extensive repair. CRAZING CRACKS Crazing cracks commonly termed “Spider Cracks” (image right) because they resemble a web or a shattered glass, can happen when a foundation cures too rapidly and loses its moisture too quickly. These types of cracks are not structural by nature and rarely present a problem. The unfortunate issue is there is no effective way to repair these types of cracks. They become more of a nuisance than a problem to worry about. SHRINKAGE CRACKS Random Shrinkage cracks (image left) occur most often. They tend to “meander or wander” and are intermittent or interrupted in their normal course. As this occurs, you might notice some parallel or nearby cracks that represent the end of one crack and the beginning of another. This is characteristic of concrete shrinking as it gives up moisture during the curing process. Generally speaking, these cracks are limited to 1/16” – 3/32”. Anything larger than 3/32” should be evaluated to insure the foundation’s structural integrity has not been compromised. So, if you see some cracks that resemble any of the previous examples and you are unsure whether this is something to be concerned about, give us a ring and we will gladly come by and give them a look. Happy crack hunting! Aesthetic Design Const is fully Licensed and Insured and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Its founders have a combined 47 years in the agricultural, residential, and commercial construction industries in the Central Texas Area. If you are looking to build a home in the Bastrop area, contact ADC Bastrop. 651 A. FM 535 Smithville, TX 78957 sales@adcbastrop.com 512-917-2322
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