Cracks in the Basement or Garage Floor
Cracks in the garage or basement floor are not a good sign. You may be tempted to throw a rug over the affected area and call it day. However, it is best to take concrete floor cracks seriously. They are a common indicators of a compromised foundation.
It is best to enlist the help of an experienced foundation contractor to evaluate the condition of your floor and determine the best plan of action. It’s helpful to be able to identify the most common types of concrete cracks. This will give you an idea of the potential damage as well as help you describe the issues to a contractor over the phone.
Types of Concrete Floor Cracks
Expansion cracks
- These usually develop alongside another object (such as a wall or other slab
), and are often accompanied by chipping or flaking. Expansion cracks are most prevalent in hot temperatures.
Shrinkage cracks
- If your home is new, you are more likely to experience shrinkage cracks, which are the result of improper mixing or hot temperatures. Shrinkage places tension on the slab, and the only way for the concrete to relieve the tension is to crack. These cracks typically appear by pipes or other plumbing fixtures in the center of the slab.
Cracks from settling
- When the soil shrinks or erodes, voids develop beneath the compromised foundation, resulting in cracks. This is one of the most obvious types of cracks because the fractures are usually accompanied by bowing or leaning walls.
Cracks from heaving
- Just as extreme heat is to blame for settling cracks, freezing temperatures are responsible for cracks from heaving. When the ground solidifies and raises several inches, the foundation is unable to move freely and thus the concrete cracks. These cracks usually appear alongside sloped or uneven floors.
Concrete Crack Repair
The expert contractors at Ground Up Foundation Repair provide professional concrete repair in the greater Nashville area to fix the floor cracks in your home. Regardless of the type, location, or severity of your concrete floor cracks, we will find the best solution for your home.
We provide a thorough inspection of your home to identify the source of the problem and the best plan of action. For smaller repairs, we typically rely on crack injections, in which epoxy or polyurethane foam is injected into the cracks and allowed to expand. Once settled, the foam forms a protective seal to permanently lock out water and pests.
Concrete Crack Filler: Epoxy & Polyurethane Foam Crack Injections
- Eliminates leaks
- Quick and cost-efficient
- No exterior excavation necessary
- Further strengthens the affected area
- 10 year warranty
While crack injections are a fast and optimal fix for short or thin cracks, more expansive cracks often indicate more severe foundation complications.
Foundation Crack Repair
If your home has an unstable foundation, other areas of your home can also incur damage such as the floors, ceiling, or the basement. These problems can be costly and tricky to eradicate if neglected for too long, so it is in your best interest to have your floors thoroughly inspected by a professional repair contractor.
If we determine that your foundation is responsible for the cracks in your flooring, we will recommend our push pier or wall anchor installation services to lift, stabilize, and strengthen the entire foundation against future problems.
Middle Tennessee Foundation Repair Experts
If you notice any size or variety of concrete floor cracks in your home or garage, pick up the phone today and contact the professional team at Ground Up Foundation Repair today. We are the Middle Tennessee foundation repair experts.
We offer estimates on all of you concrete repair needs.