There is approximately 160 litres of water in a cubic metre of concrete. When drying (concrete curing), shrinkage cracks may appear. This type of crack is acceptable and should not deteriorate significantly over time. When in presence of larger cracks, where a pencil can be introduced for example; further investigation is recommended. First, it may be a case of pyrite, an abnormal property of the stone used in concrete or as compaction under a concrete slab that inflates the concrete structure over time. Or, as is often the case, it is the lack or absence of compaction and granular material under the concrete slab that causes instability and therefore large cracks.
In both cases, the only remedy is to break the slab or floor, remove the material and replace it with compaction material according to industry standards. Then, a new slab is poured including, if necessary, a wire mesh or fibre in the concrete. Our turnkey service will take care of all these steps in order to deliver a quality new slab or floor.