Concrete Problems We Can Repair
Concrete problems may not seem like a big deal at first, but they can cause further damage and become safety hazards if they’re not repaired in time. From sinking concrete to cracked stem walls, we’ve seen it all. Luckily, Gage Contracting can help you with all of your concrete repair needs across the Valley--we work all over the greater Phoenix area! These are some of the most common issues that we see.
1. Sinking concrete
Sinking concrete is often caused by the erosion of underlying soil. You may notice that the concrete is uneven or sunken in, as seen in the picture below.
This can occur on concrete slabs, sidewalks, driveways, and even concrete garage floor decks. Not only can sinking concrete be a trip hazard for anyone who walks by, it can also cause drainage and cracking issues.
In order to fix sinking concrete, we use a process called mudjacking. This is the most commonly used method for lifting sunken concrete, which involves drilling holes and hydraulically pumping our specially formulated mud under the slab. The pressure causes the sunken concrete to lift back to its original position. You may have also heard the terms slabjacking, mudjacking, raising concrete, leveling concrete, injection technology, or hydraulic concrete lifting to describe this process.
2. Cracked foundations
Have you noticed cracks around the perimeter of your home? If not, we recommend that you inspect the foundation of the exterior of your home for cracks. Cracks often occur as a result of the erosion of underlying soil or drainage problems, and they can cause a lot of damage. The longer you wait to repair them, the worse the damage gets and the more expensive it will be.
If you notice any cracks, we suggest that you get it looked at right away. Here’s an example of what a cracked foundation can look like:
3. Cracked stem walls
An issue we often see in the East Valley, especially in the cities of Chandler and Gilbert, are cracked stem walls. It’s most commonly caused by moisture around the home, which may come as a surprise since Arizona is so dry. However, the water from sprinklers surrounding your home can cause erosion of concrete stem walls over time.
Stem walls are a vital part of your home, as the exterior walls are built directly on top of them. You’ll notice in the photo below that the stem wall, which is the part of the foundation that sits on the footing and sticks up out of the ground at least six inches, is cracked.
When the rebar within the structure begins to corrode, it causes cracks in the stem wall. A small crack may not seem like anything to worry about, but when you hold off on fixing it, the problem only gets worse.
To repair stem walls, we remove concrete in order to either fix or replace the rebar. We then cover it with concrete and add a moisture resistant treatment to help reduce or prevent damage in the future.
4. Cracked tile/slab
If you have cracked tile, a fractured slab, or a cracked foundation, we can use a process called stitching to fix it. To do this, we add steel to a slab that exhibits movement due to soil expanding or settling.
This often occurs at construction joints, but it can also cause new fractures in the concrete slab. The Chandler/Gilbert area has a high concentration of expansive soils, which cause these fractures. We install rebar stitches to the fracture and bond the two separated slabs together. As a result, it creates a heavier slab that cannot be moved as easily. This an extremely effective way to address common soil movement issues.
If your home has any of these concrete problems, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We always recommend that you get these issues resolved as quickly as possible to keep everyone safe and prevent any further damage. Gaje Contracting provides service in Chandler, Gilbert, and the greater Phoenix area, and we would be happy to visit your home and provide a free evaluation.