2016 Spring Home Improvement

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2016 Spring Home Improvement LINCON DAILY May 2, 2016 Page 11
Most homes have some concrete - foundations,
driveways, walks. Timely care can be an
economic, as well as aesthetic value.
Knowing some basics of what corrupts concrete,
when and how it can be repaired, can help you
maintain value in your home and even improve
safety.
Bill Palmer, a columnist for the concrete network
website describes the basics of concrete repair.
Palmer says, “First figure out what caused the
damage, do the necessary preparation of removing
any unsound concrete and contamination, then
install a repair designed to solve the problem.”
Palmer also explains, “The worst thing you can
do is make a repair that doesn’t last. Someone
once told me that over 50% of concrete repairs fail
again within two years. That is not a track record
that inspires confidence.”
Reasons concrete repair is needed vary
In an article on the basics of concrete repair, Paul
Russell, a Product Manager of Concrete Repair
and Composites, says repairs are often needed
due to corrosion of reinforcement, insufficient
reinforcement, chemical damage, excessive loads,
structural damage, fire damage, seismic damage,
or blast damage.
Home concrete
At homes - sidewalks, driveways, basements,
garages, and foundations are areas where repair is
usually needed.
Sidewalk repair is often needed due to sinking or
uplift from tree roots. Sources also show concrete
cracks are often caused by expansion, poor
drainage conditions, or settling soil beneath the
concrete. Salt used for deicing can make cracks
worse.
Driveway repair is often needed due to settling
and cracks. Owen Reiners, a concrete contractor
from Emden, said that on driveways salt often
seeps in and deteriorates the concrete, causing
cracks.
In basements and garages, Palmer says cracks in
concrete due to “drying shrinkage” or “thermal
movement” may seem minor, but “more often
than not, a foundation crack will widen over time
and result in water seepage or possibly the loss of
structural integrity.” These cracks may also lower
the value of the home.
Foundation repairs are often needed due to
settling. Palmer says, “It is likely that you
will spend around $10,000 dollars to repair
the foundation,” but it protects “your biggest
investment, your home.”
CONTIUNED ►
Solid tips
on concrete
repair