An In-Depth Look Into The Different Techniques of Concrete Crack Repair

It's not unusual for cracks to develop in your concrete walls or floors over time. Thermal variations, construction overload, drying and temperature shrinkage, weathering, insufficient curing and improper concrete mixtures are some of the many reasons that can cause cracking. Fortunately, concrete cracks are fixable, so you shouldn't fret if you notice cracks in your concrete building. However, it would help if you did it early enough because cracks are typically a sign of structural distress. However, various methods can be used to repair concrete cracks. Therefore, knowing a thing or two about each of these methods goes a long way in helping you figure out the right technique to use. Here's more on this.

Epoxy Injection

Epoxy injections are some of the most popular techniques for fixing concrete cracks. They are generally preferred because they can be used to fill extremely narrow cracks. By injecting epoxy under the crack, the exposed surfaces are sealed in the process. However, epoxy injection is not without its flaws. First, it's crucial to identify the source of the crack and fix it before injecting the epoxy. Otherwise, the cracks will keep emerging. Therefore, any structural issues and problems with load-bearing capacity must be fixed first. In addition, if the crack is still active, epoxy injections will also not work. Therefore, any water leakages should be fixed too. Epoxy injections also require skilful execution for the perfect results, so it's always best to work with a professional.

Stitching

Stitching is one of the easiest methods of fixing concrete cracks. As the name implies, the technique works the same way as stitching a piece of cloth. First, a series of holes are drilled along the damaged surface. U-shaped metallic wires are then passed through the holes stitching the crack. To anchor the wires strongly, epoxy-resin or non-shrink grout is used. Besides being a quick method, it's also long-lasting.

Routing And Sealing

This is another effective approach to fixing concrete cracks. Like stitching, it's simpler and doesn't require tact or skills like epoxy injections. First, the concrete crack is enlarged along the exposed face in a process referred to as routing to form a V-shaped groove. Then, the groove is filled and sealed with a joint sealant. Generally, sealants come from a wide range of materials. Some common options include epoxies, asphalt, urethane and silicone. Routing and sealing methods are ideal only for cracks that require remedial repairs. That is, they do not help restore the tensile strength of the existing structure. 

Contact a crack repair service to learn more.