Concrete Crack Repair Contractor Los Angeles

Concrete is one of the most durable building materials in the world. Whether it’s your patio, your porch, your driveway or your walkway, concrete is the way to go. With its durability and hassle-free maintenance, any home project done with concrete is pretty much guaranteed to last for decades.

Sometimes, though, your concrete may need a little help. It’s not unusual for small cracks to appear as concrete begins to settle. When that happens, don’t fret! Call an experienced concrete contractor to make sure your concrete is correctly repaired. 

Can I just DIY my concrete repairs in Los Angeles?

I’m sure you’ve seen the YouTube tutorials. You know, the ones showing how to repair cracks in your concrete. Seems like a pretty easy weekend job. That may work if your repairs are minor -- very small cracks. However, if your concrete has cracks that are more than a quarter inch thick, or your concrete is uneven, it’s time to call in the professionals.

When should I replace my concrete in Los Angeles?

If your concrete only has some hairline cracks on the surface, it’s a pretty easy fix. You could even do it yourself. However, there are some situations in which cracked concrete should be replaced. 

• Wide, Deep Cracks: This usually happens when settlement has occurred. Sometimes it’s because of the weight of large trucks. Sometimes it’s that the concrete was improperly installed. When concrete is cracked all the way through, it’s time to replace it.

• Sunken Concrete: This happens when the material underneath the concrete was not properly prepared. Loose dirt may have been used under the concrete. When this dirt settles, the concrete is no longer supported and it could sink. Just like with the wide, deep cracks, when concrete sinks, there’s no easy fix. It has to be removed and repoured.

While you could patch any of these kinds of cracks, it would just be a waste of your time and money. It would just be a short-term fix. It’s better to get the advice of a seasoned contractor to determine how you should address the situation.

Why is my concrete cracking in Los Angeles?

While concrete is tough, there are some cracks in it’s long-term health. 

• An inadequate concrete mix was used.

• The ground underneath your concrete (called the sub grade) was not packed down properly or the wrong sub grade was used.

• Bad placement

• Roots from trees or other plants are lifting the concrete from underneath.

• Your concrete was exposed to severe or extreme weather.

• It wasn’t properly watered after it was poured.

• Your concrete is not correctly reinforced with rebar.

• If the ground underneath the concrete is saturated with water.

• Your concrete is subjected to more weight than it can hold -- for example, you park a very heavy truck on concrete that is not sufficiently reinforced.

How can I repair my concrete in Los Angeles?

How extensive your concrete repair is depends mainly on what is causing the damage. If it is a question of a few small cracks, it’s an easy fix. If you have large cracks and structural issues, you will in all likelihood have to demolish the concrete and pour fresh concrete. There are some options available to you.

• Partial Repair: In a partial repair, the damaged area of the concrete is cut out and removed. Then, the area is cleaned and prepped and fresh concrete is poured.

• Full Repair: This usually happens when there is severe structural damage. The concrete will have to be torn up. Then the area will have to be prepared again and fresh concrete poured.

Resurfacing concrete in Los Angeles

You’ve just repaired or replaced your concrete. You don’t have to let it remain that boring grey slab. You can now pour a fresh overlay (or layer) on top of your concrete and really get your creativity going! With stamping and staining, you can turn your grey concrete into a show-stopper. 

With concrete stamps, you can transform that grey concrete mix into something more interesting. You can make your concrete look and feel like brick, hardwood, natural stone, slate, or even a customized design of your own.

And why stop there? You can stain your concrete to make your stamping look even more realistic. With the right colors, you can make that hardwood stamp look like recycled boards or redwood. You could even create a contrasting border with stamping and staining. 

How can I prevent my concrete from cracking in Los Angeles?

You’ve repaired your concrete, installed a new surface, it looks amazing! Now, how do you keep that surface from cracking?

The best thing you can do to keep your concrete looking as fresh as the day it was poured is to properly maintain it. 

• Clean your concrete surface once a month.

• Apply sealer every 2-5 years to keep water, dirt and other insidious materials out of the internal concrete.

• Fill the cracks! Even the small ones!

• Get it checked out! If your concrete surface seems unstable or has weak areas, get it looked at right away. 

If you aren’t sure about your concrete, get it checked out. With concrete, the sooner the better. You don’t want a small fix turning into a larger problem down the road. Call us for a free estimate about your cracked concrete driveway.

When it’s time to repair your concrete in Los Angeles, don’t wait. Let the experienced professionals at Concrete Decor Contractor help you. Call us today!