Is Your Concrete Settling or Heaving?

So...your concrete is busted. Bit by bit you've watched it crack and break down, and now it's finally time to address the problem and repair it. But what was the cause? Could something be wrong underneath?

There are a million reasons poured concrete might fail, but two problems stand out as being the most common: settlement and upheaval. Each issue is caused by unique external factors — factors which, if you'd like to get to the root of the problem, should be addressed. Here's how to tell.

Settlement

During hotter, dryer seasons, the soil under and around the perimeter of your concrete can become unstable and sink or "settle." This is a common problem in slabs that were poured on top of poorly compacted soil. (Check out this blog post about diagnosing problems with your slab if you'd like to learn more about this!)

If you look closely, you may start to see tiny cracks in floor tiles or sheetrock, or concrete that has a concave appearance and seems to be moving downward. If left unattended, these settled spots may become a serious tripping hazard.

Is your concrete settling? Give us a call and we'll come take a look!

Upheaval

Heaving happens when excess moisture invades your concrete slab and causes thirsty soil to swell and push the foundation up. This is common after a heavy rainstorm (Cheyenne, we've been getting a lot of this lately) or in the event of a plumbing leak, particularly if the soil is largely clay.

If your foundation is upheaving, you'll notice obvious, rising cracks in your concrete — very common in Cheyenne's sidewalks. The middle of the slab will appear higher than that on the edges, and the heaving motion can go in a variety of directions.

Is your concrete heaving? Call us today for a free consultation.

Get in Touch!

At Ward Insulation, we take all slab issues seriously. Give us a ring and we'll drop by to examine your concrete and recommend a course of action that will produce high quality, lasting results. Quotes are free!