Concrete Repair: Should I Hire A Professional or Do it Myself?

    Damaged concrete can be serious—and seriously expensive if not repaired properly in a timely manner. With that said, it can also end up being a simple fix that only takes a couple of hours. Knowing when to call a professional and when to try to fix things yourself, then, becomes pretty important. Whether you have a sidewalk repair in Denver or the bottom of your pool is cracked, below you’ll find tips to decide if it’s time to call in professional help.

    The very first step is identifying the issue. After all, you can’t determine if the repair is within your skill set if you don’t know exactly what is wrong. Examine the entire area thoroughly and ask yourself these questions. If you know the answers, you’ll find follow-up information below to determine if you need to hire a professional. On the other hand, if you can’t answer these questions, you’ll want to find a professional who can.

    • Is the damage indoors or outdoors?
    • What caused the damage?
    • How long has it been there for?
    • Is it sinking?
    • Is it lifting?
    • How much damage is there to the concrete?

    What Type Of Damage Do You Have?

    There are two major types of concrete damage: structural and non-structural. Structural cracks will affect the underlying structure of whatever they are built on. This may be the foundation of your home a supporting porch post, for example. Non-structural cracks can cause water leakage but are mostly cosmetic. Things like cracks in your driveway or sidewalk are usually of this variety assuming they don’t extend under a structure.

    How Much Damage Is There?

    The next item to note is how broad and deep the crack or damage is. If it is a small crack, these are typically an easy fix and can be fixed by yourself depending on where they are. Cracks that are wider than 0.015 inches should be dealt with immediately and looked at by a professional.

    Where Is The Damage?

    If the crack is in an area that bears a lot of weight, such as a support column, these are more dangerous cracks and should be looked at by a professional. There may be an underlying problem as to why that crack has occurred.

    What’s The Weather Like?

    Since Denver gets a lot of rain, if there is rain in the crack this can cause more potential problems if it is large enough to collect water. In which case, more immediate attention is required.

    Summing It Up, Should You Hire A Professional To Repair Your Concrete?

    As you can see, there are many conditions and locations a concrete crack can occur. No matter how big or small, it’s always important to evaluate the situation right away. If you notice the crack to be in a non-threatening place and you feel comfortable sealing it yourself, you are welcome to do that. If the crack is around the support system or is larger, it’s best to have professionals fix it.

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