Our Top 3 Causes of Sinking Concrete

Cracking, crumbling, and heaving concrete around your North Carolina home may seem like it came out of nowhere. While it certainly can feel this way, many elements at work will cause your concrete to be damaged over time.

Here, we’ll explore what is behind your concrete problems.

1. Erosion

On average, North Carolina experiences 48 inches of rain per year, which is above the national average of 38 inches. An abundance of rain in any context can be detrimental to your concrete, as it can cause flaking and spalling, and of course, erode the soil supporting the concrete, too.  As the soil washes out, air pockets begin to form beneath your concrete. Since it is now lacking the support of the soil underneath, you may notice it collapsing or cracking over time and crumbling inward.  

3. Poor Installation

If contractors install your concrete poorly or on a bad weather day, your concrete damage will not work itself out over time. Too much water in a concrete mixture or even poor materials will render your concrete weaker and more susceptible to damage by the elements. Poor installation, like not tamping down the concrete enough or buckling interior concrete supports, can cause honeycombing or delamination to your concrete. Worst-case scenario, you may have to completely remove and re-lay the concrete.