Shrinkage Cracks In Basement Floor

Some contractors cut or form a grid of small grooves in the slab to keep the shrinkage cracks in an orderly grid which looks better than random cracks but functions the same way.

Shrinkage cracks in basement floor.

Hairline cracks need no repair and are not indicative of a larger problem. Causes of basement concrete cracks shrinkage. The degree of shrinkage is largely affected by temperature. If you think the concrete floor is done moving you can repair those cracks and the shrinkage cracks with an epoxy material you inject into the crack and add a silica sand for a filler.

Concrete mortar grout and stucco can shrink and crack for months after construction as they slowly dry and lose moisture. These types of cracks do not represent a structural concern. I think that slab shrinkage cracks appear early in building life are not structural and are less likely to suddenly telegraph through a ceramic tile floor. As the concrete dries it will shrink.

If temperatures drop while your basement cures that can cause cracks. Plastic shrinkage cracks are typically very narrow in width and barely visible. Small cracks in the basement floor commonly result from shrinkage as the concrete dries which pulls the concrete apart. While nearly invisible it is important to remember that plastic shrinkage cracks don t just exist on the surface they extend throughout the entire thickness of the slab.

Shrinkage cracking can be managed by the use of control joints placed in the slab. Basic steps for repairing a basement floor crack. To be accurate severe shrinkage cracks in a slab could show up in a tiled floor if the floor were not properly installed to prevent those cracks from telegraphing through the tile but. This will weld the crack together creating an excellent basement floor repair.

After it s poured it cures to become solid. In this case while repairs to the basement floor or perhaps better a new basement floor slab were in order the root cause of high water levels under the basement floor needed to be addressed first. Shrinkage cracks in concrete floor slabs are expected and very common and do not compromise structural integrity. How are concrete wall foundation or floor slab shrinkage cracks avoided or repaired.

Clean out the cellar. An excessively wet mix is a contributing factor to shrinkage in concrete.