What causes sunken or cracked concrete in Jamestown, New York?

Concrete is a wonderfully versatile building material, but although it is strong, it’s not impervious to damage. It’s common to see cracked or sunken concrete patios, driveways, and sidewalks. And there are a few main reasons why these things happen.

Thankfully, concrete damage can often be fixed with the right expertise and materials. At Total Foundation Solutions, we provide effective concrete repair services in Jamestown, NY. 

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Cracked concrete is unsightly, but not all cracks are cause for concern. Call Total Foundation Solutions of Erie for our driveway and patio contractors to assess your cracked concrete!

What Lies Beneath

The main cause of concrete damage is a problem with the underlying soil. These are some of the common issues we see:

  • Poorly compacted soil: During the construction process, the soil is moved and replaced. This backfill soil isn’t as stable as untouched soil, and over time, it can erode and cause slabs to sink.
  • Dry soil: During periods of warm, dry weather, the soil can shrink, and this creates air pockets. Eventually, the heavy concrete above sinks into the voids and cracks.
  • Flooding: During times of high precipitation, water can easily get under concrete slabs through cracks and voids. Wet, soft soil simply cannot support heavy concrete. And in some severe cases, the soil is washed away completely, leaving large spaces underneath. 

Street Creep

If you own a home, you not only need to pay attention to your own concrete but also the concrete slabs on the walkways and streets beyond your home. In the oscillating temperatures of Jamestown, driveways and patios often crack leading to bigger issues.

Cold weather causes concrete slabs to contract, and this can open up joints between them. Sometimes, pebbles, dirt, and other debris get stuck in those joints. Then, when warm weather returns, the concrete expands again, but can’t expand completely because of that debris. This creates pressure throughout the concrete slabs, up to your home. This can lead to cracked concrete in your Jamestown home in need of immediate repair. This can cause a variety of problems, but thankfully, Total Foundation Solutions knows how to take care of them!

Contact us today for a cracked concrete repair estimate in Jamestown, NY!

No matter the condition of your concrete, you can count on us for a long-lasting, cost-effective solution. We provide reliable cracked concrete repair services in Jamestown, NY, such as driveways, patios, sidewalks,  pool decks, garage floors, and more. 

Contact us today to schedule your free estimate!