Sealing Hairline Cracks In Concrete Walls

Do cracks in walls indicate a structural problem.

Sealing hairline cracks in concrete walls.

As the water in the slurry evaporates the remaining ingredients cure into a hard monolithic slab. It ll keep water out and protect your foundation and walks from further cracking and eroding. Sealing the cracks with quikrete is an easy project for any skill level. We recommend using backer rods also if sealing wide cracks in concrete walls or floors but first you need to have those cracks evaluated to determine the cause as other important structural repairs could be needed first.

Concrete consists primarily of cement sand gravel and water. Outside of hairline cracks larger stress cracks occur when a house settles or the ground beneath it shifts. Water can get into the joints freeze and then expand. As the name implies these cracks are very small about 0 003 inches 0 08mm in width and can be very shallow.

Hairline cracks are commonly observed in freshly placed concrete and their occurrence is owed to the phenomenon of plastic shrinkage. Contents causes of hairline cracks in concreteprevention of hairline cracks in concreterepair of hairline cracks in. Unfortunately the curing process causes the concrete to shrink slightly often resulting in hairline cracks. These types of cracks don t usually pose a threat to the structural integrity of a house but they do allow for a potential opening for groundwater insects and radon gas.

Seal cracks in concrete with durable urethane caulk. You can do it in less than a half hour. Plus a hairline crack is enough for moisture to seep into the concrete surface and hurt. Sand clean dry may be used as a filler for cracks an easier approach if you are repairing an irregular crack in a floor.

Cracks and gaps in concrete are more than just an eyesore. People often ignore hairline cracks thinking it s not a major issue.