Floor Cracks

It is the worst fear of many homeowners to discover cracks in their floor. They begin to wonder what they can do to prevent them from growing or spreading and how they can repair them. These cracks are a real issue, as these cracks often indicate even bigger problems with the foundation. There is a way, however, to not only repair floor cracks but to prevent them from occurring again.

If left alone, the cracks in your basement floor will only continue to grow. It is best to have them repaired as soon as possible. To do this, you must first determine the source and cause of the crack. Floor cracks can be caused by a variety of different factors, each one coming with a different set of indicators:

• Shrinkage cracks: If the concrete was not properly mixed, or if the weather is extremely hot, the concrete may shrink as it dries and it loses moisture. This shrinkage can put stress on the concrete, and it cracks to relieve the tension. They commonly occur around objects located in the middle of the slab, such as pipes, drains, plumbing fixtures, or columns.
• Expansion cracks: These cracks take place in concrete slabs that are directly adjacent to something else, such as a brick wall or another concrete slab, and also occur often in hot weather. When the slab expands as it heats up, it pushes against the object next to it (the wall, or the slab), and the resulting pressure causes cracks.
• Cracks from heaving: Often, as the ground begins to freeze during freeze/thaw cycles, it will raise several inches and settle again as it thaws. This can cause cracks to form in the concrete if the foundation is not allowed to move freely.
• Cracks from settling: If erosion, soil shrinkage, or other factors create voids beneath the foundation, the slab will settle into the void.

Solutions for Floor Cracks

These are just a few of the types of cracks that can form in your basement floor. It is important to contact an expert to help you determine what has caused your floor to crack and how to fix it. If the crack is very large and serious, it may require steel push pier installation. This is a process in which steel piers are used to stabilize and raise the slab to its original level.

The cracks can also be sealed using our crack injection methods. We use a quality polyurethane foam from ECP (Earth Contact Products) to seal the cracks. Not only does this ensure that nothing can get through, but it also lends extra support to the foundation, bonding the concrete back together.

For all of your floor cracks, contact the experts at Pro Foundation Technology, Inc. today. We are the foundation repair experts in Missouri and Kansas including in the cities of Kansas City, Overland Park, Raytown, and Columbia.