What Causes Concrete Steps To Crack?
What Causes Concrete Steps To Crack?
The information below can help you diagnose cracked concrete, but if you want an expert’s opinion, call a concrete contractor near you for an in-person evaluation.
Excessive Water In The Mixture
To reach optimal strength, concrete does not require a lot of water. However, the vast majority of concrete used in residential construction has too much water on the job site.
This water is injected to help make the installation of the concrete simpler. This surplus water also significantly decreases the concrete’s strength.
Shrinkage is the most common cause of cracking. Concrete shrinks as it hardens and dries. This is because extra mixing water evaporates. The higher the shrinkage, the wetter or soupier the concrete mix.
Concrete slabs can shrink by up to half an inch per 100 feet. This shrinkage causes forces in the concrete to tear apart the slab. These stresses eventually lead to cracks.
The bottom line is that a low water-to-cement ratio is the most important factor influencing concrete quality, and excess water diminishes this ratio.
The Concrete Dries Quickly.
Furthermore, quick drying of the slab increases the chance of cracking dramatically. Water is required for the chemical process that converts concrete from a liquid or plastic to a solid form.
This chemical reaction, known as hydration, continues for days or weeks after the concrete is poured.
Properly curing the slab may ensure that the required water is accessible for this reaction.
Improperly Poured Concrete On The Project
Concrete comes in a variety of strengths. Check to see what strength the concrete you’re pouring should be.
Inadequate Control Joints
Control joints allow concrete to fracture exactly where you want it to. The seams should be the depth of the slab and no more than 2-3 times the thickness of the concrete (in feet) (in inches). As a result, joints in 4″ concrete should be 8-12′ apart.
Can You Use Masonry Paint On Concrete Steps?
Yes. You can use masonry paint on concrete steps. Because it includes binders that contract and expand with the concrete, masonry paint, also known as elastomeric paint, is an excellent choice for concrete steps. On concrete, other forms of paint can break and peel.
Before painting, make sure the concrete is completely dry. Despite the fact that masonry paint may breathe, you don’t want to overdo it by trapping a lot of moisture. Painting concrete steps is best done on a very dry day.
Concrete absorbs a lot of heat, keeping the surface temperature between 55 and 80 degrees. It should not be too hot or too chilly. Unless you have a heat gun, simply touch-test it.
If it’s too hot or too cold to press your hand on comfortably, it’s generally not ready to paint.
Begin by applying the paint with a brush along the edges and corners.
Then, for bigger areas, use a roller. You should also use painters tape to mask off any parts you don’t wish to paint.
If you wish to use a sprayer, ensure the liquid isn’t too thick for your nozzle, or it may clog quickly.
Let the concrete paint cure completely between layers, regardless of how you apply it. Check the weather prediction before you start painting because you’ll probably need two to four coats of paint and priming.
