Effective Tips to Prevent Concrete Cracks
Concrete Brisbane has already become a trustworthy, long-lasting, and cost-effective construction material. Despite possessing these qualities, concrete still remains vulnerable to several kinds of damage and one of the common of these is cracking. Cracks in concrete occur due to several factors. When concrete bears excessive weight, it may break concrete or shift the soil under the slab. Erosion can subsequently lead to cracking in concrete. It is also important to consider that not every kind of soil is perfect for working with concrete. The soil should not have any moisture and should be free from tree roots.
Here are some tips on how you can prevent concrete cracks:
1. Bring down water content in concrete
When there is a low water to cement ratio, it will improve the quality of concrete. The ratio can is the weight of water to the weight of cement used. When there is a low water to cement ratio, it will lead to strong strength in concrete and reduced cracks. It is ideal to maintain less water content as it will boost the robustness of concrete. Concrete tends to expand and shrink as temperatures change. The major tendency of concrete is to shrink. Shrinkage has emerged as the root cause of cracks in concrete. As concrete begins to harden, it will evaporate excess water and shrink. Therefore, if the water content is low, shrinkage will also remain low. You should remain aware of the concrete prices Brisbane.
2. Effective curing of concrete
It is imperative to prevent the fast loss of water from surface or concrete drying as it may cause excess drying of the slab. It is advised to cure the concrete slab for many days. You can cover the concrete slab with cotton mats soaked in water. You may also opt to spray on curing compound as it can effectively prevent water loss. Never subject concrete to heavy weights during the curing phase. The curing phase can last for up to a month. You must strengthen your concrete with the correct curing product. Curing agents can effectively produce smooth, flat, and long-lasting concrete floors.
3. Effective placement and vibration
If you have an effectively placed, vibrated, and finished concrete, it will diminish the possibilities of generating cracks. For the right placement and vibration, you should contact concrete suppliers Brisbane.
4. Effective compaction of soil
Proper compaction of soil is crucial to eliminate settlement cracks in concrete. The area of the concrete slab should be compacted as this will prevent settlement cracks in concrete later on. If you leave the soil loose, it will settle over time and may produce cracks on the surface. This is as applicable in home renovation as it is for construction on the highways.
Conclusion
The aforementioned tips will certainly go a long way in preventing concrete cracks. You can procure top quality steel from leading steel suppliers Brisbane at economical prices. You can avoid concrete cracks by selecting top quality cement mix that will react in the best way with accurate water content. And, the cement mix should contain a solid and dense aggregate to bring down shrinkage risk. You should avoid products that will include dirty aggregates and accelerators as they may enhance concrete shrinkage.
