Basement Crack Repair
Foundation Waterproofing
Repairing Bowed Basement Walls
Building with Concrete:
Concrete Homes
Finished Basements
Concrete Floors
Ordering Concrete
Concrete Calculator
Building Concrete Slabs
Preventing Concrete Cracks
Concrete Footings
Poured Concrete
Retaining Walls
Segmental Retaining Walls
Concrete Basements
How Much Concrete Do You
Need
Concrete Properties
Concrete Admixtures
Concrete Safe Rooms
Maintaining Concrete:
Concrete Resurfacing
Cleaning Concrete
Making Existing Concrete Better
Fixing Concrete
Protect and Beautify Concrete
Green Building with Concrete:
Concrete Homes
Grasscrete Permeable Paving
Pervious Concrete
Green Building With Concrete
Other Concrete Info:
Concrete Training Classes
Decorative Concrete
Concrete & Cement Info
Surface Preparation
Concrete Demolition
Concrete Pumping
Concrete Power Tools
Concrete Tools
Concrete Industry Products
Concrete Fasteners
Outrageous Concrete Products
Snow Melting Systems
Other Resources
Bookstore
Press Room
Link to this site
Free Shop Smart Guides
Free Audio Podcasts
Free Business Guides
Homepage Archive
Previous Featured Contractors
Previous Industry Leaders
FAC by City
Perhaps this section should be titled, "Attempting to
Prevent Concrete Cracks", or "Minimizing Concrete
Products &
Cracks", as it is impossible to guarantee against cracking.
Training Stamps & Tools
We have compiled a group of construction tips to help
towards preventing cracks, and tips regarding cracking from
the Troubleshooting Newsletters printed by the American
Society of Concrete Contractors, which since 1986 has
printed these bulletins from hotline questions asked by their
members. Free 84-page
Magazine For Concrete
Concrete cracking has been an oft-discussed topic. Contractors Sign-Up Today!
The "deliverables" to you from this section should be
ideas to discuss with your slab designer and concrete
Training By
contractor to achieve a slab that meets the requirements of Bob Harris
your job.
Construction tips to help towards preventing cracks Foundation
Repair
Make sure the subgrade is compacted
Use a Low Water-to-Cement Ratio-- How to Calculate Concrete
Water to Cement Ratio’s Countertops Training & Mix
Products
Properly Curing Concrete Slabs
Crack
A case for allowing the time in the schedule to water cure Injection Repair
Be active in deciding where control joints will be placed
Repairing
Preventing Concrete Cracks Bowed Basement Walls
Shrinkage Reducing Admixtures
Concrete
Homes
Early Entry Sawing
Concrete Contractors: Find A Concrete Product Supplier or
Radiant
Distributor Floor Heating (formerly Wirsbo)
Be alerted once a month by email with what’s new on The
Concrete Network!
Section Sponsor Tools,
Seminars, Supplies & Resources
Find Concrete Products
and Product Suppliers
Imaging
Software for Decorative Concrete
Water
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Make sure the subgrade is compacted. Site Sponsors
Contact Us

Excavations beneath the slab that are not to be filled with

Sitemap
concrete (usually plumbing or other mechanical trenches)
should be brought back to grade in compacted lifts. This
Search this Site
means a 24" trench would be backfilled 6" at a time, each "lift"
being mechanically vibrated so it is left compact. Books On
Concrete Staining & Stamping
Research and Learn
about Decorative Concrete If these excavations are not compacted when backfilled, this
loose soil will settle over time leaving the concrete over that
Find
Bookstore: area with no earth under it. This becomes a prime place for
Concrete Products and Product
Books on Decorative Concrete concrete to settle. Since the soil next to these excavations is
Suppliers
How-To Guides native soil, the uncompacted trench can literally become a
Shop Smart Buying Guides thoroughfare for water.

Interior Floors: Most rental yards have compacting equipment and it is worth
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete the investment to use it.
Interior Concrete Floors Hands-on-
Concrete Overlays Training, Small Classes
Excavations from the house to the street for utilities should
Basement Floors
Concrete Polishing
also be backfilled and compacted in the same manner so
Decorative Concrete Engraving areas under the driveway concrete don’t sink. Uncompacted
Concrete Dyes areas under lawns can be identified by areas of sunken grass-
Training By
Concrete Resurfacing so it is good idea to compact trenches even under areas not
Bob Harris
Radiant Floor Heating receiving concrete.
Garage Floor Coatings
Return to Concrete Pool Decks
Interior Concrete: Rocky
Concrete Countertops Geans Concrete Construction
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds Business School
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete Furniture Find a Concrete Contractor
Sinks and Vessels 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada Foundation
Repair
Outdoor Concrete: Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com
Concrete Patios
Stamped Concrete
Repairing
Concrete Driveways © 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Bowed Basement Walls
Concrete Pool Decks reproduced without written permission.
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps Concrete
Concrete Resurfacing Floor Stains
Colored Concrete
Stenciling Concrete
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving Visual
Concrete Pavers Concrete Floors
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders
Imaging
Foundation Repair/ Software for Decorative Concrete
Waterproofing:
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Use a low water to cement ratio: How to Site Sponsors
Contact Us
calculate water to cement ratio’s.
Sitemap Find
A low water to cement ratio is the number one issue Concrete Products and Product
effecting concrete quality. Suppliers
Search this Site

Low water cement ratio impacts all of the desired properties of

Research and Learn concrete listed in the desired properties of concrete section.
about Decorative Concrete

Use a maximum .50 water to cement ratio when concrete is

Bookstore: exposed to freezing and thawing in a moist condition or to Books On
Books on Decorative Concrete
deicing chemicals per the 1997 Uniform Building Code. Concrete Staining & Stamping
How-To Guides
(Table 19-A-2)
Shop Smart Buying Guides
Decorative
Use a maximum .45 water to cement ratio for concrete with Concrete Training & Products
Interior Floors:
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete severe or very severe sulfate conditions per the 1997 Uniform
Interior Concrete Floors Building Code (Table 19-A-4)
Concrete Overlays
Basement Floors Water permeability increases exponentially when concrete
Concrete Polishing has a water cement ratio greater than .50. Tools,
Decorative Concrete Engraving Seminars, Supplies & Resources
Concrete Dyes
Durability increases the less permeable the concrete mix is.
Concrete Resurfacing
Radiant Floor Heating Foundation
Garage Floor Coatings Strength improves with lower water cement ratios. A .45
Repair
water cement ratio most likely will hit 4500 psi (pounds per
Interior Concrete: square inch) or greater. A .50 water cement ratio will likely
Concrete Countertops reach 4000 psi or greater.
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds
Vertical Stamped Concrete For complete Uniform Building Code information regarding
Concrete Furniture concrete construction, review with your architect, your ready
Sinks and Vessels mix supplier, or at your local library. Free 84-page
Magazine For Concrete
Outdoor Concrete: The water to cement ratio is calculated by dividing the Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Concrete Patios
water in one cubic yard of the mix ( in pounds) by the cement
Stamped Concrete
in the in the mix (in pounds). So if one cubic yard of the mix
Concrete Driveways
has 235 pounds of water and 470 pounds of cement- the mix
Concrete Pool Decks
is a .50 water to cement ratio.
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways Hands-on-
Stairs and Steps If the mix lists the water in gallons, multiply the gallons by 8.33 Training, Small Classes
Concrete Resurfacing to find how many pounds there are in the mix.
Colored Concrete
Stenciling Concrete Return to Concrete Pool Decks
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Pavers
Water
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Features Training
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders

Foundation Repair/
Waterproofing:
Foundation Repair
Basement Crack Repair
Foundation Waterproofing
Repairing Bowed Basement Walls
Find a Concrete Contractor
Building with Concrete: 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada
Concrete Homes
Concrete
Finished Basements Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com
Concrete Floors
Products, Training & Consulting
Ordering Concrete
Concrete Calculator
© 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Building Concrete Slabs reproduced without written permission. Concrete
Preventing Concrete Cracks Homes
Concrete Footings
Poured Concrete
Retaining Walls
Products &
Segmental Retaining Walls
Training Stamps & Tools
Concrete Basements
How Much Concrete Do You
Need
Concrete Properties Concrete
Concrete Admixtures Countertops Training & Mix
Concrete Safe Rooms Products

Maintaining Concrete:
Concrete Resurfacing
Radiant
Cleaning Concrete
Floor Heating (formerly Wirsbo)
Making Existing Concrete Better
Fixing Concrete
Protect and Beautify Concrete

Green Building with Concrete:

Concrete Homes
Grasscrete Permeable Paving Imaging
Pervious Concrete Software for Decorative Concrete
Green Building With Concrete

Other Concrete Info:

Concrete Training Classes
Prepackaged
Decorative Concrete
Admixtures
Concrete & Cement Info
Surface Preparation
Concrete Demolition Advice for
Concrete Pumping Running your Business
Concrete Power Tools
Concrete Tools
Concrete Industry Products
Concrete Fasteners Rocky
Outrageous Concrete Products Geans Concrete Construction
Snow Melting Systems Business School

Other Resources
Bookstore Crack
Press Room Injection Repair
Link to this site
Free Shop Smart Guides
Free Audio Podcasts
Free Business Guides Concrete
Homepage Archive Floor Stains
Previous Featured Contractors
Previous Industry Leaders
FAC by City
Repairing
Bowed Basement Walls
 Subscribe to the
Concrete Network's
Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter Vertical
Stamping

Free Online Catalogs

Concrete Homes
Concrete Pool Decks Visual
Concrete Driveways Concrete Floors
Concrete Countertops v.2
Custom Fireplaces
Concrete Furniture
Interior Floor Training By
Concrete Countertops Bob Harris
Concrete Hardscapes
Concrete Bathroom Products
Concrete Patios
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Desired Properties of Concrete Site Sponsors
Contact Us

1. The concrete mix is workable. It can be placed and

Sitemap consolidated properly by yourself or your workmen.

Search this Site 2. Desired qualities of the hardened concrete are met: for
example, resistance to freezing and thawing and deicing Books On
Research and Learn chemicals, watertightness (low permeability) , wear Concrete Staining & Stamping
about Decorative Concrete resistance, and strength. Know what you are trying to achieve
with the concrete.
Find
Bookstore: Concrete Products and Product
Books on Decorative Concrete 3. Economy. Since the quality depends mainly on the water Suppliers
How-To Guides to cement ratio, the water requirement should be minimized to
Shop Smart Buying Guides reduce the cement requirement (and thus reduce the cost).

Interior Floors: Take these steps to reduce the water and cement Training By
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete requirements: Bob Harris
Interior Concrete Floors
Concrete Overlays
Basement Floors
● use the stiffest mix possible
Concrete Polishing
Decorative Concrete Engraving ● use the largest size aggregate practical for the job.
Concrete Dyes
Concrete Resurfacing Imaging
● Use the optimum ratio of fine to coarse aggregate. Software for Decorative Concrete
Radiant Floor Heating
Garage Floor Coatings
Discuss how to achieve your goals for the concrete with your
ready mix supplier.
Interior Concrete:
Concrete Countertops
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds Return to What is Concrete
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water
Concrete Furniture Features Training
Sinks and Vessels

Find a Concrete Contractor

Outdoor Concrete:
Concrete Patios 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada
Stamped Concrete
Concrete Driveways Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com
Concrete Pool Decks Concrete Polishing
Outdoor Living Rooms Equipment and Supplies
Concrete Walkways © 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Stairs and Steps reproduced without written permission.
Concrete Resurfacing
Colored Concrete
Stenciling Concrete Vertical
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Stamping
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Pavers
Advice for
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Running your Business
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders

Tools,
Foundation Repair/ Seminars, Supplies & Resources
Waterproofing:
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Properly curing concrete slabs Site Sponsors
Contact Us

Why cure concrete. Curing serves two main purposes.

Sitemap

● it retains moisture in the slab so that the concrete

Search this Site continues to gain strength
Books On
it delays drying shrinkage until the concrete is strong Concrete Staining & Stamping
Research and Learn ●

about Decorative Concrete enough to resist shrinkage cracking.

Find
Bookstore: Properly curing concrete improves strength, durability, Concrete Products and Product
Books on Decorative Concrete water tightness, and wear resistance. Suppliers
How-To Guides
Shop Smart Buying Guides
How to cure concrete.
Foundation
Interior Floors: Repair
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete ● Water cure-the concrete is flooded, ponded, or mist
Interior Concrete Floors sprayed. It is the most effective curing method for
Concrete Overlays preventing mix water evaporation.
Basement Floors
Concrete Polishing ● Water retaining methods-use coverings such as
Decorative Concrete Engraving sand, canvas, burlap, or straw that are kept
Concrete Dyes continuously wet. The material used must be kept Free 84-page
Concrete Resurfacing
damp during the curing period. Magazine For Concrete
Radiant Floor Heating
Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Garage Floor Coatings
● Waterproof paper or plastic film seal-Are applied as
soon as the concrete is hard enough to resist surface
Interior Concrete:
damage. Plastic films may cause discoloration of the Concrete
Concrete Countertops
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds
concrete-do not apply to concrete where appearance is Floor Stains
Vertical Stamped Concrete important.
Concrete Furniture
Sinks and Vessels ● Chemical Membranes- the chemical application Concrete
should be made as soon as the concrete is finished. Homes
Outdoor Concrete: Note that curing compounds can effect adherence of
Concrete Patios resilient flooring, your flooring contractor and/or
Stamped Concrete chemical membrane manufacturer should be consulted.
Concrete Driveways
Concrete Pool Decks All the desirable properties of concrete are improved by
Outdoor Living Rooms proper curing! Water
Concrete Walkways Features Training
Stairs and Steps
Return to Concrete Pool Decks
Concrete Resurfacing
Colored Concrete
Stenciling Concrete Rocky
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Geans Concrete Construction
Decorative Concrete Engraving Business School
Concrete Pavers Find a Concrete Contractor
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada
Concrete Countertops
Products &
Vertical Stamped Concrete Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com Training Stamps & Tools
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders
© 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Foundation Repair/ reproduced without written permission.
Waterproofing:
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Allow The Time to Water Cure Site Sponsors
Contact Us

After concrete is placed, the concrete increases in strength

Sitemap very quickly for a period of 3-7 days. Concrete which is Find
Concrete Products and Product
moist cured for 7 days is about 50% stronger than uncured
Suppliers
Search this Site
concrete.

Research and Learn
about Decorative Concrete
Bookstore:
Books on Decorative Concrete
How-To Guides
Shop Smart Buying Guides
Interior Floors:
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Interior Concrete Floors
Concrete Overlays
Basement Floors
Concrete Polishing
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Dyes
Concrete Resurfacing
Radiant Floor Heating
Garage Floor Coatings
Water curing can be done after the slab pour by building dams
with soil around the house and flooding the slab. The
enclosed area is continually flooded with water. Ideally, the
slab could be water cured for 7 days. Some builders on a
Books On
tight schedule water cure for 3 days as this achieves
Concrete Staining & Stamping
approximately 80% of the benefit of water curing for 7 days.
Consider planning your job to pour at the end of the week,
build berms, then flood over the weekend. You get he benefit
of water curing without losing too much time in the schedule. Vertical
Stamping
Return to Concrete Pool Decks
Visual
Concrete Floors
Find a Concrete Contractor
23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada

Interior Concrete: Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com

Concrete Countertops Imaging
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds Software for Decorative Concrete
© 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete Furniture
reproduced without written permission.
Sinks and Vessels

Outdoor Concrete: Tools,

Concrete Patios Seminars, Supplies & Resources
Stamped Concrete
Concrete Driveways
Concrete Pool Decks
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps
Concrete Resurfacing Free 84-page
Colored Concrete Magazine For Concrete
Stenciling Concrete Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Pavers
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water
Water Features
Features Training
Concrete Landscape Borders

Foundation Repair/ Decorative

Waterproofing: Concrete Training & Products
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Be active in deciding where control Site Sponsors
Contact Us
joints will be placed
Sitemap Find
Control joints are planned for cracks which allow for Concrete Products and Product
movements caused by temperature changes and drying Suppliers
Search this Site shrinkage. In other words, if the concrete does crack-you want
to have an active role in deciding where it will crack and that it
Research and Learn will crack in a straight line instead of randomly.
about Decorative Concrete
Space joints properly. Space joints (in feet) no more than 2-
Bookstore: 3 times the slab thickness (in inches). A 4" slab should have Books On
Books on Decorative Concrete joints 8-12 feet apart. Concrete Staining & Stamping
How-To Guides
Shop Smart Buying Guides
Cut joints deep enough. Cut joints 25% of the depth of the
slab. A 4" thick slab should have joints 1" deep.
Interior Floors:
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Interior Concrete Floors
How to cut joints. Grooving tools cut joints in fresh concrete.
Concrete Overlays Saw cutting cuts joints as soon as the concrete is hard Imaging
Basement Floors enough that the edges abutting the cut don’t chip from the Software for Decorative Concrete
Concrete Polishing saw blade.
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Dyes Cutting joints soon enough. In hot weather, concrete might
Concrete Resurfacing crack if joints are not cut within 6-12 hours after finishing
Radiant Floor Heating concrete. In this condition, if you don’t want to use a grooving
Garage Floor Coatings tool to cut joints, there are early-entry dry-cut lightweight saws
that can be used almost immediately after finishing. These Concrete
Interior Concrete: saws cut 1" to 3" deep, depending on the model. Products, Training & Consulting
Concrete Countertops
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Place joints under walls or under carpet areas. Under
Concrete Furniture walls they won’t be seen. Under carpet areas the joints won’t
Sinks and Vessels have a chance to telegraph through vinyl areas.

Avoid re-entrant corners. Planning the joint pattern can

Outdoor Concrete: Free 84-page
Concrete Patios sometimes eliminate re-entrant corners.
Magazine For Concrete
Stamped Concrete Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Concrete Driveways Click here for picture of correctly laid out joints.
Concrete Pool Decks Note: Inside corners, where cracks would typically occur, have
Outdoor Living Rooms
correctly placed joints. Foundation
Concrete Walkways
Repair
Stairs and Steps
Concrete Resurfacing Most plans don’t have joint spacing marked on them. So
Colored Concrete don’t leave this important part of concrete construction to
Stenciling Concrete chance. Repairing
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Bowed Basement Walls
Decorative Concrete Engraving Jointing is often not taken seriously enough and the
Concrete Pavers "sawcutter" comes to your job and puts the cuts where he
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete feels they belong or where it is convenient for him.
Concrete Countertops Products &
Vertical Stamped Concrete Training Stamps & Tools
Water Features
Be active in deciding where control joints will be placed!
Concrete Landscape Borders
Return to Concrete Pool Decks
Foundation Repair/
Waterproofing:
Hands-on-
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Early Entry Sawing System Site Sponsors
Contact Us
by Soff-Cut
Sitemap Find
Concrete Products and Product
Suppliers
Search this Site

Research and Learn

about Decorative Concrete

Bookstore: Books On
Books on Decorative Concrete
Concrete Staining & Stamping
How-To Guides
Shop Smart Buying Guides
The SOFF-CUT system has been applied to slabs on
grade, concrete decks and paving projects throughout the
Interior Floors: world. It provides a stronger more durable joint with clean
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
cosmetic cuts, more aggregate interlock, uniform cracking
Interior Concrete Floors
pattern, and narrow joints. The timing of the early-entry Water
Concrete Overlays
process is timed to be prior to development of significant Features Training
Basement Floors
Concrete Polishing
tensile stress in concrete.
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Dyes Concrete
Concrete Resurfacing Countertops Training & Mix
Radiant Floor Heating Products
Garage Floor Coatings

Interior Concrete:
Concrete Countertops
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete Furniture
Sinks and Vessels
Outdoor Concrete:
Concrete Patios
Stamped Concrete
Concrete Driveways
Concrete Pool Decks
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps
Concrete Resurfacing
Colored Concrete
Stenciling Concrete
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Pavers
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders
Training By
The equipment is user friendly. It features feather touch Bob Harris
tracking allowing easy maneuverability and addresses
environmental concerns by reducing dust exposure and paste
residue. The equipment also allows cutting in areas where
water is not accessible. A Noise Reduction System is installed
on all gas units permitting early morning and evening saw
cutting that does not conflict with most city ordinances. Hands-on-
Training, Small Classes
Visit the Soff-Cut web site for more information
Repairing
Request a free demo
Bowed Basement Walls
Concrete
Homes
Find a Concrete Contractor
23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada
Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com Visual
Concrete Floors
© 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
reproduced without written permission.

Foundation Repair/
Waterproofing:
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Preventing Concrete Cracks Site Sponsors
Contact Us

One of the most common questions received on

Sitemap ConcreteNetwork.Com is about cracks that are developing in
newly poured concrete. The homeowner will question why it is
Search this Site
cracking and did they receive a shoddy job.
Water
Features Training
Research and Learn
When installed properly, concrete is one of the most durable
about Decorative Concrete and long lasting products you can use around your home. But
it is important that concrete contractors follow well-established Find
Bookstore:
guidelines with respect to concrete placement. Durable, high Concrete Products and Product
Books on Decorative Concrete strength, and crack resistant concrete does not happen by Suppliers
How-To Guides accident.
Shop Smart Buying Guides
Why Concrete Cracks
Interior Floors:
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete Reason #1 - Excess water in the mix
Interior Concrete Floors
Books On
Concrete Overlays
Concrete does not require much water to achieve maximum Concrete Staining & Stamping
Basement Floors
strength. But a wide majority of concrete used in residential
Concrete Polishing
Decorative Concrete Engraving
work has too much water added to the concrete on the job
Concrete Dyes
site. This water is added to make the concrete easier to
install. This excess water also greatly reduces the strength of Rocky
Concrete Resurfacing
the concrete. Geans Concrete Construction
Radiant Floor Heating
Business School
Garage Floor Coatings
Shrinkage is a main cause of cracking. As concrete hardens
Interior Concrete: and dries it shrinks. This is due to the evaporation of excess
Concrete Countertops mixing water. The wetter or soupier the concrete mix, the
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds greater the shrinkage will be. Concrete slabs can shrink as
Vertical Stamped Concrete much as 1/2 inch per 100 feet. This shrinkage causes forces
Concrete Furniture in the concrete which literally pull the slab apart. Cracks are Free 84-page
Sinks and Vessels the end result of these forces. Magazine For Concrete
Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Outdoor Concrete: The bottom line is a low water to cement ratio is the number
Concrete Patios one issue effecting concrete quality- and excess water
Stamped Concrete
reduces this ratio. Repairing
Concrete Driveways
Concrete Pool Decks Bowed Basement Walls
Outdoor Living Rooms What you can do about it:
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps Know the allowable water for the mix the contractor is
Concrete Resurfacing pouring- or be very sure you have chosen a reputable
Colored Concrete contractor who will make sure the proper mix is poured. It is
Stenciling Concrete more expensive to do it right- it simply takes more manpower
Exposed Aggregate Concrete to pour stiffer mixes.
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Polishing
Concrete Pavers Equipment and Supplies
Reason #2 - Rapid Drying of the concrete
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete Also, rapid drying of the slab will significantly increase the Crack
Water Features possibility of cracking. The chemical reaction, which causes Injection Repair
Concrete Landscape Borders concrete to go from the liquid or plastic state to a solid state,
requires water. This chemical reaction, or hydration, continues
Advice for
Foundation Repair/ to occur for days and weeks after you pour the concrete.
Running your Business
Waterproofing:
Foundation Repair You can make sure that the necessary water is available for
Basement Crack Repair
Foundation Waterproofing
Repairing Bowed Basement Walls
Building with Concrete:
Concrete Homes
Finished Basements
Concrete Floors
Ordering Concrete
Concrete Calculator
Building Concrete Slabs
Preventing Concrete Cracks
Concrete Footings
Poured Concrete
Retaining Walls
Segmental Retaining Walls
Concrete Basements
How Much Concrete Do You
Need
Concrete Properties
Concrete Admixtures
Concrete Safe Rooms
Maintaining Concrete:
Concrete Resurfacing
Cleaning Concrete
Making Existing Concrete Better
Fixing Concrete
Protect and Beautify Concrete
Green Building with Concrete:
Concrete Homes
Grasscrete Permeable Paving
Pervious Concrete
Green Building With Concrete
Other Concrete Info:
Concrete Training Classes
Decorative Concrete
Concrete & Cement Info
Surface Preparation
Concrete Demolition
Concrete Pumping
Concrete Power Tools
Concrete Tools
Concrete Industry Products
Concrete Fasteners
Outrageous Concrete Products
Snow Melting Systems
Other Resources
Bookstore
Press Room
Link to this site
Free Shop Smart Guides
Free Audio Podcasts
Free Business Guides
Homepage Archive
Previous Featured Contractors
Previous Industry Leaders
FAC by City
this reaction by adequately curing the slab.
What you can do about it:
Tools,
Seminars, Supplies & Resources
Read here about the methods to cure concrete and
understand how your contractor will cure the concrete.
Products &
Reason #3 - Improper strength concrete poured on the job
Training Stamps & Tools
Concrete is available in many different strengths. Verify what
strength the concrete you are pouring should be poured at.
Talk to the ready mix supplier Prepackaged
Admixtures
Consult with the Ready Mix Concrete Association in your area.
Reason #4 - Lack of control joints. Training By
Bob Harris
Control joints help concrete crack where you want it to. The
joints should be ¼ of the depth of the slab and no more than 2-
3 times (in feet) of the thickness of the concrete (in inches).
So 4"concrete should have joints 8-12' apart.
Read more about control joints here.
Concrete
Products, Training & Consulting
Other reasons:
Never pour concrete on frozen ground.
Radiant
The ground upon which the concrete will be placed must be Floor Heating (formerly Wirsbo)
compacted.
The sub grade must be prepared according to your soil Visual
conditions. Some flatwork can be poured right on native Concrete Floors
grade. In other areas 6"of base fill is required along with steel
rebar installed in the slab.
Decorative
Concrete Training & Products
Understand what you contractor is doing about each of the
above listed items and you will get a good concrete job.
Concrete
Return to Concrete Cracks
Countertops Training & Mix
Products
Find a Concrete Contractor
23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada Vertical
Stamping
Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com
Foundation
© 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be Repair
reproduced without written permission.
Imaging
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Crack Control (Drying Shrinkage Cracking) Site Sponsors
Contact Us

Hydrated cement paste shrinks as it loses moisture from its

Sitemap extremely small pores. As the moisture is lost in these small Find
Concrete Products and Product
pores, the surface tension of the remaining water tends to pull
Suppliers
Search this Site
the pores together which results in a loss of volume over time.

Research and Learn

about Decorative Concrete
Bookstore:
Books on Decorative Concrete
How-To Guides
Shop Smart Buying Guides
Interior Floors:
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Interior Concrete Floors
Concrete Overlays
Basement Floors
Concrete Polishing
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Dyes
Concrete Resurfacing
Radiant Floor Heating
Garage Floor Coatings
Interior Concrete:
Concrete Countertops
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete Furniture
Sinks and Vessels
Outdoor Concrete:
Concrete Patios
Stamped Concrete
Concrete Driveways
Concrete Pool Decks
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps
Concrete Resurfacing
Colored Concrete
Stenciling Concrete
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Pavers
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders
Shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRA’s) are designed to
decrease the effects of drying shrinkage by reducing the
surface tension in these pores.
Books On
It should be noted that the type of aggregate and the
Concrete Staining & Stamping
cement properties themselves can influence the amount of
cracking that can occur. Thus, it is important to test local
project-specific materials if doing shrinkage testing.
Curing also affects cracking. In slabs, the top tends to dry
out first and shrinks while the lower sections still have a higher
Imaging
moisture content. This difference in moisture can be altered
Software for Decorative Concrete
by use of Shrinkage Reducing Admixtures, which alter the
way water migrates through the concrete and results in a
more uniform moisture profile.
See also:
Thermal Cracking Free 84-page
Magazine For Concrete
Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Plastic Shrinkage Cracking
Autogenous Shrinkage
Repairing
Bowed Basement Walls
Return to Concrete Admixtures
Concrete
Countertops Training & Mix
Find a Concrete Contractor Products
23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada
Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com Radiant
Floor Heating (formerly Wirsbo)
© 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
reproduced without written permission.
Vertical
Stamping
Advice for
Running your Business

Foundation Repair/
Waterproofing: Products &
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Thermal Cracking Site Sponsors
Contact Us

Hydration of cement is an exothermic process – meaning it

Sitemap generates heat. As the concrete cools it contracts and in
extreme conditions may contract in three days as much due to
Search this Site
cooling as it could in a year due to drying conditions.
Books On
Research and Learn A temperature differential of 35o F within 1 ft is usually Concrete Staining & Stamping
about Decorative Concrete considered enough to cause cracking. However, within 24-
hours of placement, concrete temperatures can reach
Bookstore: anywhere from 20o to 50o F hotter than ambient temperatures
Books on Decorative Concrete
How-To Guides Tools,
Admixtures can work to alter the rate of heat generation but
Shop Smart Buying Guides Seminars, Supplies & Resources
at the same time can result in lower concrete strengths. In
mixes where low water/cement ratios are required for
Interior Floors: durability (such as bridges, parking structures or marine Find
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete facilities), concrete is often substantially over-designed for Concrete Products and Product
Interior Concrete Floors strength. In cases like this, heat reducing admixtures can Suppliers
Concrete Overlays reduce the likelihood of cracking.
Basement Floors
Concrete Polishing
For more information on shrinkage or thermal cracking visit
Decorative Concrete Engraving Concrete
the engineering bulletin on Shrinkage Reducing Admixture.
Concrete Dyes Countertops Training & Mix
Concrete Resurfacing Products
Radiant Floor Heating Review this Grace Construction Engineering Bulletin
Garage Floor Coatings
Return to Concrete Admixtures
Interior Concrete: Vertical
Concrete Countertops Stamping
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete Furniture Find a Concrete Contractor
Sinks and Vessels
23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada

Outdoor Concrete: Water

Concrete Patios
Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com
Features Training
Stamped Concrete
Concrete Driveways © 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Concrete Pool Decks reproduced without written permission.
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps
Concrete Resurfacing
Free 84-page
Colored Concrete
Magazine For Concrete
Stenciling Concrete
Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Pavers
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete Crack
Concrete Countertops Injection Repair
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders
Rocky
Geans Concrete Construction
Foundation Repair/
Waterproofing: Business School
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Plastic Shrinkage Cracking Site Sponsors
Contact Us

Plastic shrinkage occurs as fresh concrete loses its

Sitemap moisture after placement but before any strength development Find
Concrete Products and Product
has occurred.
Suppliers
Search this Site
This type of shrinkage is affected by environmental effects
Research and Learn
of temperature (concrete and ambient), wind and relative
about Decorative Concrete humidity. It is a particular problem in hot weather concreting.
Prepackaged
Bookstore: At present, there are no specific admixtures developed to Admixtures
Books on Decorative Concrete handle this type of cracking.
How-To Guides
Shop Smart Buying Guides Return to Concrete Admixtures

Interior Floors:
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete Books On
Interior Concrete Floors Concrete Staining & Stamping
Concrete Overlays Find a Concrete Contractor
Basement Floors
23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada
Concrete Polishing
Crack
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Dyes Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com Injection Repair
Concrete Resurfacing
Radiant Floor Heating © 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Garage Floor Coatings
reproduced without written permission.
Tools,
Interior Concrete:
Concrete Countertops Seminars, Supplies & Resources
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete Furniture
Visual
Sinks and Vessels
Concrete Floors

Outdoor Concrete:
Concrete Patios
Stamped Concrete Radiant
Concrete Driveways Floor Heating (formerly Wirsbo)
Concrete Pool Decks
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps
Concrete Resurfacing
Colored Concrete Water
Stenciling Concrete Features Training
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Concrete Pavers
Foundation
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Repair
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Water Features
Concrete Landscape Borders

Foundation Repair/
Waterproofing:
Free 84-page
Foundation Repair
 Join Earth's Largest
Directory of Concrete Subscribe to The Concrete
Services Network's Concrete Source -
Free Newsletter
Home
Autogenous Shrinkage Site Sponsors
Contact Us

This type of shrinkage is difficult to measure or separate

Sitemap from drying shrinkage which is a much greater concern.

Search this Site
Research and Learn
about Decorative Concrete
Autogenous shrinkage takes place as the portland cement
hydrates and without loss of water from the mix as opposed to
the drying shrinkage process. Admixtures may reduce this Concrete Polishing
type of shrinkage but are not specifically designed to do so. Equipment and Supplies

Bookstore: Return to Concrete Admixtures

Books on Decorative Concrete
How-To Guides
Shop Smart Buying Guides
Books On
Interior Floors: Find a Concrete Contractor Concrete Staining & Stamping
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada
Interior Concrete Floors
Concrete Overlays Find
Terms and Conditions for use of ConcreteNetwork.Com
Basement Floors Concrete Products and Product
Concrete Polishing Suppliers
Decorative Concrete Engraving © 2006 Concretenetwork.Com. None of this site may be
Concrete Dyes reproduced without written permission.
Concrete Resurfacing
Radiant Floor Heating
Garage Floor Coatings

Interior Concrete: Free 84-page

Concrete Countertops Magazine For Concrete
Concrete Fireplace Surrounds Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete Furniture
Sinks and Vessels
Training By
Outdoor Concrete: Bob Harris
Concrete Patios
Stamped Concrete
Concrete Driveways
Concrete Pool Decks
Outdoor Living Rooms
Concrete Walkways
Stairs and Steps
Concrete
Concrete Resurfacing
Products, Training & Consulting
Colored Concrete
Stenciling Concrete
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Decorative Concrete Engraving
Radiant
Concrete Pavers
Floor Heating (formerly Wirsbo)
Acid-Etch Staining of Concrete
Concrete Countertops
Vertical Stamped Concrete
Concrete
Water Features
Homes
Concrete Landscape Borders

Foundation Repair/
Waterproofing:
Foundation Repair