If your concrete is uneven, is that a sign of greater damage to come?

Concrete is a material that is commonly used by homeowners to construct the actual home as well as create driveways, walkways, and patios. When using concrete, the material has to be laid in a particular way in order for the project to be level and even. After a project is complete, there can be settling over time which can lead to cracks or an uneven piece of concrete. When this takes place, the area must be inspected to see if more damage could occur.

Sidewalks and Pathways

Concrete is used to create sidewalks and pathways by digging a design and preparing the earth. If the area is not prepared correctly, once the concrete is poured, you can see cracking or uneven spaces. Often times, when heavy rains occur, water will seep down underneath the concrete which can cause unraveling. You may have one section of sidewalk that is perfectly level but another piece that is beginning to bulge. If the problem is not taken care of, then you can have more damage on your hands over time. More material will need to be added under the section of sidewalk to repair the damage and ensure the concrete is stable and ready to function properly.

Foundation

The foundation of the home is also often created with concrete. Over time, a home will settle and soil compaction or desiccation can lead to movement in the foundation. The foundation can drop or sink and must be repaired for the home to be stable. This is a serious issue and major repairs such as underpinning are going to be required.

A dropped foundation can result in basement floors being out of level and issues with the walls. Cracking can occur in the walls and flooring with seepage then present from water in the earth. Issues outside of the home due to a dropped foundation can include gaps around windows and doors, brickwork or stone cracking. Chimneys can also begin to noticeably separate from the area of the home.

To repair this damage, the foundation and the home will need to be made level once again as well as permanent support provided. This can be done with hydraulic push piers. Columns consisting of structural steel will be placed in the foundation and will be located partially underground to provide support.

To install, your home would be evaluated by a professional, with the size of the home considered along with the composition of the soil, to determine the number of piers that will be needed to raise the home as well as provide support. An installer trained in the art of piers will then excavate next to the foundation at each point of installation and prepare the area. Once installed, the home can then be made even once again with the support that will last a lifetime.

So with any concrete project, it is important to remember to use proper techniques when laying the concrete material. A quality installation will ensure no issues such as uneven concrete will take place in the future.