Terminology Worth Talking About
A storm can roll in at any time and unfortunately for homeowners, this can mean storm damage and the need for repairs. When it comes to concrete spaces, tornados, flash flooding, hurricanes, and high winds can be damaging. From debris to standing water, it is important to learn more about concrete terminology in relation to storm damage. This way, you can get the repairs you need as quickly as possible. Check out a few terms below and how you can repair your concrete when severe weather causes damage.
Debris Damage
During a storm, high winds, as well as heavy rains, can cause debris to fly around or tree branches to fall on your concrete driveway or sidewalks. This can cause hairline cracks, scratches or scrapes as well as major cracking damage. In more severe weather, such as tornados, debris can lead to breakage of your concrete or structural issues.
Cracks are a common term associated with concrete and storm damage. A crack can be caused by a heavy object falling on to the concrete. When a crack occurs, it will harm the integrity of the concrete. This can lead to larger cracks and buckling.
The term buckling is used to describe when a crack starts to divide, and the concrete begins to separate concrete pieces. One piece will be higher than the other and this can cause the concrete to be unusable, as it creates a tripping hazard. Larger cracks and buckling need to be taken care of by a concrete expert for proper repair.
For smaller cracks, a liquid crack filler can be used. This term is used to describe a liquid substance that will fill in the crack and make the concrete smooth once again. If you have storm damage that causes a smaller crack or chip, you can use this type of filler to repair it.
Homeowners Insurance
If you have major damage to your concrete driveway after a storm, consider contacting your homeowner’s insurance. You may have significant enough damage that your repair will be provided via payment from your insurance carrier. This way, the repair is taken care of for you, without a major cost to your pocketbook.
Major damage would be severe cracks, large breaks where the driveway cannot be used anymore. This can happen due to large tree branches or even trees that uproot near the driveway due to high winds. Take pictures of the damage so you have visual proof to go along with a claim if you decide to file one.
Repairs to concrete can be quick and minimal or expensive and time-consuming. It all depends on the type of damage and repair need. If you are unsure about the integrity of your concrete surfaces after a storm, contact a concrete company. Professional concrete installers and repair providers will be able to offer insight into how space can be repaired if it is a DIY project or something that they should provide for you.
Be sure to check for damage after a major storm so you can get started on repair projects as quickly as possible.
