Concrete Repair vs. Replacement: Which Do You Need?
Concrete didn’t become a popular building material for nothing. It is known the world over for its strength and longevity. That being said, concrete can only withstand so much. Over time, it commonly falls victim to damage like cracking, sinking, and crumbling.
Neglecting problematic concrete is dangerous for your home and family, so it’s important to act fast to fix it the right way. But how? Addressing damaged concrete often boils down to answering this question: should I repair or replace my concrete?
This article explains each process, its pros and cons, and what might be the best option for your home.
Types of Concrete Damage
Though concrete is tough, you’ll know there’s a problem if you notice these problem signs:
- Surface Cracks: Though common during the curing process, cracks along your concrete’s surface can worsen and spread.
- Deep Cracks: What started out as surface cracks can progress into deep cracks that accompany gaps and appear to split the concrete. This affects the concrete’s safety and appearance.
- Uneven Slabs: Concrete slabs, especially in sidewalks, can sink or heave and no longer match up. Uneven surfaces are unsightly tripping hazards and liabilities.
- Spalling: Concrete can start to flake off, form pits and holes, and appear dimpled. These cosmetic symptoms are aesthetically unappealing and can point to a deeper problem with the concrete.
- Discoloration: Oil, paint, and other chemicals can stain concrete and affect its appearance. Excessive moisture from the underlying soil or within the concrete slab can evaporate, leaving white streaks or flakes behind.
These issues aren’t restricted to just one type of concrete surface; they can be found throughout your property, including driveways, sidewalks, patios, steps, garages, and interior concrete slab floors.
What Causes Concrete Damage?
Now that you’re familiar with what kind of damage to look for, it’s important to know why your concrete sustains damage in the first place. Several factors can lead to the symptoms above, including:
- Unstable Soil: The No. 1 culprit is loose underlying soil. This can result from inadequate ground preparation during construction or erosion caused by excessive rainfall and flooding.
- Heavy Impact: Concrete can bear significant weight, but overloading can lead to cracking and sinking. This problem often arises shortly after installing new heavy items or leaving vehicles parked in the same spot for an extended period.
- Poor Installation: Improperly poured concrete is a common issue. Early signs include excessive soil sinking, numerous hairline cracks, or immediate unevenness.
- Water Infiltration and Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Concrete’s microscopic pores can absorb water, which expands upon freezing, generating internal stress. The freeze-thaw cycle is a recurring natural phenomenon where absorbed water alternates between freezing (expanding) and thawing (contracting) within the concrete. Over time, this repeated expansion and contraction can cause the concrete to develop cracks and deteriorate.
How to Fix Concrete: Repair or Replacement?
Now, let’s delve into the best way to fix damaged concrete. Your two primary options are repairing it or replacing it.
1. All About Concrete Replacement
What It Is:
Replacing concrete involves demolishing and removing old concrete and pouring new cement. This method is typically used for severely damaged, crumbling, pitted, flaking, or stained surfaces. It may also be appropriate for concrete older than 30 years and when structural integrity is compromised.
Pros:
- Fresh concrete installation
- Smooth, even surface
Cons:
- Requires heavy machinery and excavation
- Extended period of downtime due to curing time
- New concrete may still settle if underlying soil is unstable
- High likelihood of future soil and slab settlement
- Costly (potentially exceeding $5,000)
2. Can You Repair Concrete?
What It Is:
Repairing concrete works best when the area is not severely damaged or structurally impacted. Grinding the concrete, patching or using self-leveling compound on affected areas is costly and time-consuming, and does not address the cause of the problem.
Effective repair involves adding some type of material to the concrete structure to strengthen and even it out. Traditional methods like mudjacking use heavy materials and are invasive and expensive processes. However, concrete lifting and leveling with polyurethane injections, which involves injecting an expanding foam beneath the concrete to elevate the slab is the preferred, lasting method.
Pros:
- Uses lightweight materials
- Requires minimal drilling
- Completely fills underlying gaps
- Rapid curing time
- Eco-friendly solution
- Enhances soil stability
- Provides a uniform surface
- Offers long-term effectiveness
Cons:
- May not achieve perfect leveling
- Existing cracks may still be visible
- Effectiveness can vary depending on soil conditions
How to Make the Best Choice For Your Home
So many options can seem overwhelming, but it’s important to consider your home’s unique situation and needs before deciding how to fix damaged concrete.
Some important factors include:
- The extent of the damage
- The location of the damaged concrete
- The concrete’s structural integrity
- The time needed to implement repairs
- The longevity of repairs
- Project costs and your budget
Consider Who Will Make the Repairs
Although repair methods may be relatively simple for professionals, they are not recommended for DIY projects. Proper equipment, materials, and training are necessary for each technique, and they can be challenging and costly to acquire independently.
Safety is a significant concern as well. Working with heavy equipment and materials can pose serious risks.
It is best to rely on professionals like your local Groundworks company to manage your concrete repair job effectively.
Did you find this page helpful?
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Concrete Leveling for more informative articles!
Trust Groundworks with Your Concrete Repair Needs
Addressing concrete damage with the right solution doesn’t have to be a stressful, complicated task. Our team at Groundworks has decades of experience with diagnosing and properly treating concrete issues. You can count on our expertise and commitment to quality.
Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and repair estimate. After thoroughly assessing your home’s concrete, we’ll recommend a repair plan just for you, tailored to meet your needs and budget.
Concrete Repair FAQs
Protect your home’s concrete surfaces through sealing techniques, ensuring proper drainage to avoid erosion, evenly distributing weight, and regular inspection and maintenance.
It depends on the method selected. Polyurethane foam injection addresses the soil instability or voids under the slab by stabilizing the soil beneath it.
The polyurethane foam injection method from Groundworks allows the surface to be used on the same day as the installation. The foam cures within 15 minutes. This is far more efficient than other methods like mudjacking, self-leveling concrete, or repouring, which can take hours or days to harden.
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Holly Richards-Purpura
Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Groundworks does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.