Concrete Joint Repair

MD | DC | VA | Washington Metro Area

As a Maryland or DC business owner near areas such as Annapolis, Bethesda, and Silver Spring, you realize that broken and uneven concrete joints are a serious hazard that can put your company at risk for major liability issues.

This article will help you find out if the joints in your building are in need of repair and what you can do to prevent future joint damage.

If you’re ready for work to start now, then go ahead and get in touch with us.

You can do that by calling us at 301-261-4933 or clicking here to contact us online

Why Do Concrete Joints Become Damaged?

During the first stages of settling, concrete tends to shrink in volume. This shrinkage can cause surfaces to become unstable and cracks to form around the building’s most structurally weak areas — most notably the joints.

Joints exist where one concrete slab meets another, and usually require the most ongoing maintenance. Their edges often become damaged as a result of the high amount of traffic they experience on a daily basis.

The cracks that form on these joints, if ignored, can lead to further structural weakness, and eventually to crumbling concrete.

Why is Concrete Joint Repair Important?

Cracks that form in the joints of your concrete structure can lead to a number of problems if left untreated, including:

• Moisture  penetration
• Concrete expansion/contraction
• Structural integrity failure

If problems such as those listed above begin to occur, your business may be responsible for the added expense of a complete concrete re-pour.

How Can I Tell When it’s Time to Repair My Structure’s Joints?

It is very easy to tell if the joints of your company’s concrete building are in need of repair.

Most structures made of concrete will develop a number of hairline fractures over time. However, if you notice large cracks beginning to form on a regular basis near your building’s joints, it might be time to speak with a concrete restoration specialist about having those joints evaluated.

How Are Concrete Joints Repaired?

The four steps that must be followed to repair joint damage include:

• Determining the cause of the cracks: Before the joints can be repaired, the cause of the cracks must first be determined in order to figure out the best repair strategy.
• Selecting the appropriate repair material: Choose the concrete joint material that is best suited to fit the building’s daily functions.
• Preparing the joint: To achieve a quality repair, make sure the concrete joint is properly defined and cleaned before it is filled.
• Ensure repair is flush with the floor: To avoid future hazards, cracks should be filled slightly higher than the floor and shaved flush to the surface.

Is There a Way to Prevent Future Joint Damage?

To prevent future damage to your building’s joints, ask your concrete restoration specialist to use a semi-rigid concrete joint sealant during the repair process. This type of sealant will provide the building’s structure with the flexibility it needs to handle daily traffic through a building expansion joint.

In addition, always perform regular joint inspections to determine if hairline cracks are getting larger or if any new cracks are developing around the joints. If installation of a concrete expansion joint is necessary, these inspections will ensure that the problem is caught early enough to reduce repair cost and liability issues.

How Much Will the Repairs Cost?

The cost of concrete joint repairs if the cracks are noticed early will be relatively inexpensive. However, if cracks have been allowed to progress to the point that concrete joint sealant  is no longer an option, the cost will be higher.

Can I Fix Concrete Joints Myself?

Repairing concrete joints on your own is a very difficult task. You need to be sure that your repairs will last for quite some time. If not repaired correctly the first time, the joint may not give your building the flexibility it needs, which can lead to additional problems that often require much more expensive repairs.

Concrete joint repair should be completed by an experienced concrete restoration specialist who can ensure that the job will be completed in a professional manner and who will also include a warranty with the work in case you experience future problems.

Who to Consider for Your Next Concrete Joint Repair

With so many commercial concrete companies around, it may be hard to choose the right one.

But if you want the job done right the first time, look no further than Concrete Restoration Services, Inc.

Concrete Restoration Services, Inc. has been serving businesses like yours in the MD/DC/VA area since 1981. No matter what your commercial concrete repair needs may be, whether you have a concrete joint that needs to be repaired, or an entire structure that needs to be re-poured, Concrete Restoration Services can handle your needs.

Joe McAllister, Bethesda, MD

The process is easy. Simply click here to contact us via the form on our website, or call us at 301-261-4933 to speak with a real representative. We will schedule a time to come see your structure and give you a free, no-obligation repair quote.

Since we have been in this business for so long, not only is the quality of our work superior, but our cost-structure is significantly lower than that of many of our competitors, allowing us to pass the savings on to you.

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Concrete Restoration Services provides FREE estimates on all of the above services!

Tel: 301-261-4933 • Fax: 301-261-7521