Why You Should Not Wait to Repair Concrete Cracks

Concrete cracks may not seem like a big deal, but waiting to repair them could have consequences. Learn why you shouldn’t wait to repair cracks in your concrete.

Have you ever heard of the phrase “Don’t step on a crack or you’ll break your mother’s back”? While the risk of causing any of your relatives severe back pain for stepping on a crack is practically non-existent, concrete cracks can realistically cause a wide array of other serious issues, making concrete crack repair a necessary item to add to your home improvement to-do list.

Ignored Problems Tend to Grow

Ignorance might provide temporary bliss, but eventually, problems that are ignored will only become worse with time. This is especially true for cracks in concrete and is a primary reason to call someone for concrete crack repairs. Cracks in concrete can start out very small and grow worse day by day as they’re exposed to the elements and pressure. Cracks in a driveway, for example, will worsen due to the pressure of vehicles driving and sitting on top. The same is true for sidewalks, especially in areas that receive high foot traffic.

Small cracks in driveways and sidewalks might not sound like a big deal. But small cracks eventually become large cracks which may lead to breakage. Why is this a problem? It can lead to major safety hazards and water pooling which can attract an assortment of larger issues.

Hazard Mitigation

Concrete crack repair can help mitigate safety hazards. Cracks in concrete can lead to trip hazards by creating an unlevel walking surface, allow for water to pool in low spots, and provide an entryway for pests to get into your home.

Concrete cracks can cause your concrete to become unlevel, resulting in a serious trip hazard. This is especially true in reference to sidewalks, driveways, and other walkways or flooring. If someone is on your property and trips because you neglected to have your concrete crack repaired, it could spell for legal trouble. It’s likely more affordable to contact a contractor for repairs.

Pooling water is another concern with cracked concrete. Cracks allow water to leak into the concrete slab, further breaking down the soils beneath the slab and often making small cracks even larger over time. In cold climates, this can be especially problematic as frozen water expands and causes additional damage to the concrete, increasing the likelihood of hazards.

Another hazard to consider when neglecting concrete crack repair is pests. Cracks in concrete around your home or business create entryways for bugs and rodents. These pests are not only unsightly but can carry diseases, making them a hazard to our health. While repairing cracks in your concrete is not the only solution to this problem, it can go a long way to help mitigate this hazard.

The Bottom Line

‍Concrete crack repair is one of the most overlooked and procrastinated home repairs, but if ignored can lead to much bigger problems and more costly repairs in the future. Save yourself and your wallet the pain by contacting NCFI Geo for our Find a Contractor program and fix your concrete cracks today.