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CONCRETE
Foundation:
The foundation of your home has been designed and
installed in accordance with local codes. The walls of the foundation are poured
concrete with steel reinforcing rods. Even though the foundation has been
designed by an engineer and constructed in accordance with engineering
requirements, cracks can still develop in the wall. Unless there is water
seepage coming through such a crack, it is most likely a surface crack and will
not be detrimental to the structural integrity of your home. If a crack develops
in a foundation wall that allows water to come through, follow the procedures
for submitting a warranty claim.
Flatwork:
To properly care for your exterior concrete. Always
be aware of areas where water is collecting and fill these in. Do not allow down
spouts to drain in such a way that the water will get under the concrete. Seal
any cracks in control joints or surface areas immediately with a flexible gray
colored sealant. Applying a concrete sealer to protect your flatwork is
recommended.
Cracks:
Although we use accepted construction procedures for
the installation of concrete flatwork, this does not guarantee there will be no
cracking. Some cracking in the concrete occurs in almost all homes. The warranty
does NOT cover most concrete cracks. Where cracking is covered by the warranty,
the repair provided is sealing with concrete caulk. Concrete is NOT replaced due
to cracking.
By maintaining
good drainage away from your home, you are protecting both your home’s
foundation and the basement floor slab. Maintenance of drainage away from all
concrete slabs will minimize cracking and other forms of movement. Cracks in
slabs should be sealed with a waterproof concrete caulk to prevent moisture from
penetrating to the soil beneath.
Cracking in the concrete flatwork is often caused by
extreme cold. During the summer, moisture finds its way under the concrete
edges, or through cracks in the surface. In winter, this moisture forms frost
that can list the concrete, increasing or causing more cracking.
Expansion Joints:
Expansion joints have been used to help control
expansion; however, concrete is also susceptible to shrinking. If the concrete
shrinks, moisture can penetrate under the concrete and lift the expansion joint.
If this occurs, you can fill the gap created with a gray silicone sealant that
can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Ice, Snow & Chemicals:
Remove ice and snow from concrete slabs as promptly
as possible after snow storms. Protect concrete from abuse by chemical agents
such as pet urine, fertilizers, radiator, overflow, repeated hosings, or
de-icing agents, such as road salt that can drip from vehicles. All of these
items can cause spalling of concrete. Repeated hosing of the garage slab can
cause spalling and settling and is therefore not recommended.
A concrete
sealer, available at paint stores, will help you keep an unpainted concrete
floor clean. Do not use soap on unpainted concrete. Plain water or hot water and
washing soda, or if necessary, a scouring powder should be used.
Sweeping/Cleaning:
Do not wash patios, porches, drives, etc. with cold water from an outside
faucet when temperatures are extremely high and the hot sun has been shining on
the concrete. The abrupt change in temperature can damage the surface bond of
the concrete. Sweeping is the much preferred method of keeping exterior concrete
clean. If washing is necessary, do this when the temperatures are moderate.
Cleaning in of the garage floor by hosing can cause settling, spalling, and
increase soil movement by allowing water to penetrate any existing cracks. Heavy Vehicles: Do not permit heavy vehicles such as moving vans or concrete trucks to drive on your new concrete work. This concrete is not intended to bear the weight of this type of vehicle.
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