Cracking concrete can seem concerning. After all, it is such a strong and durable material that you expect it to last forever. However, the average concrete floor should last over 100 years. But, this is assuming that everything around it is the same. The truth is that the subsoil can move, weakening the concrete support, and allowing it to crack.
Cracks can also be a result of items being dropped on the floor or because they have been made too dry. Fortunately, you can deal with a cracked concrete floor very easily.
- Check The Crack
The first thing you need to do is decide why your concrete floor has cracked. This means looking at the size of the crack and the direction. The longer the crack the more likely it is that the sub-base has moved. You may want to get a survey done to confirm the crack is not serious.
Of course, in many cases, the crack is simply a result of use and aging. Continual traffic and stress will make the crack worse but won’t be an issuer regarding structural stability.
Understanding the cause of the crack is essential as it allows you to address the underlying problem before you fix the crack. If you don’t then it is highly likely that you’ll fix the floor and the crack will quickly reappear.
- Dig It Out
Once you are happy with the why you need to dig out the crack. This means using a vacuum and any other tool you like to remove any loose dirt and debris in the crack, this will damage the finish and weaken the repair, allowing the crack to quickly reappear.
Take your time clearing the crack, the freer it is from dirt and debris the better.
- Add Epoxy
With the crack now prepared, you can speak to the professionals about epoxy floor coatings.
It is possible to lay this type of flooring yourself but the professionals will do a better job. You can choose the color and even the style of your epoxy flooring, allowing you to transform the space while getting the concrete repaired.
Epoxy flooring is applied as a liquid and takes time to set, it bonds extremely well with concrete and is difficult to stain or damage once in situ. The fact that it bonds so well makes it a great choice for filling cracks as the two sides will be re-bonded and the finish on your, floor will be perfect.
It is possible to use a concrete filler in the crack. Although, it should be noted it is hard to get a good finish when the crack is skinny. However, while concrete filler has its place, it is not a good option for your floor as it is likely to crack again. This is because it will not bond to the original concrete as well as epoxy, making the join line weaker and prone to being damaged.