U.S. SEALCOAT
Concrete Cracking Repairs
Concrete Cracking

Cracking in concrete is an irregular defect that forms in the same way as with asphalt pavement: transversely, longitudinally, or diagonally within a particular panel. Concrete panels are constructed with joints that are used to control the expansion and contraction of the panel by controlling the cracking between panels in a uniform manner that can easily be repaired. As with asphalt pavement, cracks can be due to base or subgrade insufficiency, climate conditions and concrete aging.

Because concrete is less flexible than asphalt pavement, aging and climate condition changes (temperatures) have a greater affect on the cracking of panels. Furthermore, the cracks allow moisture and other harmful elements to enter the base and subgrade, leading to faulting and settlement of concrete panels.

Remedy
If cracking is infrequent, cracks can be sealed with a poly-urethane or epoxy sealant material that protects against moisture and other harmful elements seeping into the base and subgrade. This sealant is not effective for deeper cracks which require a material known as a backer rod, which is used to fill the deepest point of the crack and allow the sealant to properly seal the top of the crack and prevent moisture seepage. For more serious cracking problems in concrete panels, concrete patching is necessary. When replacing single panels in an existing concrete area, anchoring this new panel to the existing is used in some cases to provide uniform movement with temperature change. Concrete patching procedures includes:
  1. Demolishing and cutting of the damaged concrete.
  2. Broken concrete is removed.
  3. Form pouring of at least 3,000 PSI with fiber-mesh reinforced concrete to a depth of at least 4".
  4. Area is cleaned and broom finished.