Have a Concrete Crack? Here Are 5 Reasons Why!

1. Why Does Concrete Crack?
Concrete is known for its durability and its hardness (hence, the word concrete).
Homeowners specifically prefer this material when choosing their floors because they
know it will last long. However, concrete is not immune to cracking. This begs the
question if the concrete is strong, why does it crack?
Have a Concrete Crack? Here Are 5 Reasons Why
1. Too much water placed in the mix
When concrete is being prepared, some contractors tend to add more water in the mix
than what is needed. While this is not a form of bad practice, more water makes
concrete easier to build. The more water the mix has, the more prone concrete is to
cracking even when it is still on the drying stage.

2. 2. Changes in temperature
Changes in temperature, like a sudden drop in temperature, can cause concrete to
crack especially when the concrete is still in the drying stage. If it is suddenly warm
and sunny, then the concrete can dry up quickly which will cause it to crack. On the
other hand, when it is suddenly cold, moisture can form in the concrete which adds
water to the still drying material.
3. Fast drying
There are also times when the concrete dries fast. This is usually due to high
temperatures that evaporate the water particles in the concrete mix.

3. It usually takes from a few days to a week for concrete to dry completely. This whole
process takes a while because the cement mix in liquid form hardens into a solid form.
In order for this to happen, enough water is needed. If the water gets evaporated
faster, the concrete mix is most likely to crack.
4. Lack of control joints and improper installation
Control joints are placed beside the concrete to help prevent cracks. It is a form of
preventive measure to ensure that the concrete is secured during its drying process. If
you’ve seen a sidewalk being made, the control joints are those grooves you see at the
side of the concrete that help line it up.
However, there are some contractors who do not add enough control joints on
concrete slabs. There are also some who put control joints very far apart making it
useless for the concrete to harden without support.
5. Concrete is poured during cold weather
It is not only during the warm seasons that concrete is prone to cracking. When
concrete is poured during winter, chances are that they also dry fast. Since drying fast
causes cracks, you can expect more cracks on your concrete when it is poured during
very cold weather.
What to Do When Concrete Cracks
When you see concrete cracks during the curing stage, don’t panic. Usually, cracks
lessen once the concrete is fully cured. When the concrete is fully cured, some of the
cracks will not be visible, much less detectable. However, you can always bring this
up to your contractor if you are very worried. They can also explain to you properly
how they intend to prevent those cracks.
In the event that your contractor does not take this seriously, you can bring in an
independent engineer to check for the quality of the concrete. They can tell you if your
concern is a serious issue or it is only normal and wait for the concrete to settle.
On the other hand, if after the concrete has cured and there are still big cracks, then
this is the time to be alarmed because this is not the finished product of concrete when

4. done right. You have to take this up with your contractor. It is best to withhold their
payment until they fix the concrete problem.
Call Extreme today for a free quote on your next concrete construction project in
California!
Extreme Industrial Coatings
Address:703 North Abby Fresno, CA 93701
Phone: 559-213-4731
Justin@ExtremeIndustrialCoatings.net
https://www.extremeepoxycoatings.com/why-concrete-crack/