Even though concrete is considered one of the firm and durable materials used when making buildings, it can sometimes crumble over time. These cracks may cause safety hazards, and you will have to spend a lot of money repairing them. If you ever wondered how to fix a crumbling concrete basement floor, here we have all the details. In this article, we will discuss the possible reasons why the basement floor crumbles, the things you can do to prevent them, and how to fix them.
What Causes the Basement Concrete Floor to Crumble?
If your basement floor is crumbling, several reasons can lead to this. It is best if you can fix it as soon as you notice the floor starts to crumble because, over time, it can get worse. Here we have listed a few reasons why your basement floor is crumbling.
This can happen due to soil movement. The soil underneath the basement floor can move, shift or erode, leading to cracks in the foundation.
Freezing and thawing will also affect your basement floor. The water will expand when it freezes and get the basement cracks. Normally it weakens the concrete over time. Another reason that can lead to damage is the minerals in the concrete, as it can expand and contract.
Too much water will also lead to cracks in the concrete floor. So you must use the right amount of water when mixing concrete. De-icing salt will also act as another factor to crumbles on your floor. If you live in an area where de-icing salt is used, it is vital to take necessary measures to prevent that from happening.
So when you are hiring professionals to build your house, you must have a discussion with them to prevent happening these mistakes.
Can a Crumbling Foundation be Fixed?
Yes, you can fix a crumbling foundation. There are various ways you can do it. If needed, you can take the help of a professional as well.
Fixing a crumbled foundation can be tricky and complicated if you are trying to accomplish the task by yourself. But if you do it correctly, you can get it fixed permanently. Please make sure you take the necessary steps right after you notice the crumbles as over time these cracks will widen up making recovery process a difficult task.
How to Fix Crumbling Concrete Basement Floor?
Water, cement and sand are what you need to create concrete. You must get all the ingredients in the correct equations to prevent these damages like crumbling. You can use various methods to fix a crumbling concrete basement floor. Here we have listed a few of those methods.
Concrete Floor Paints to Hide the Cracks on Basement Floor
You can use concrete floor paint to hide the cracks in the foundation. These paints are inexpensive, and you can get them from any hardware store. This will help the foundation not to get further damage on the floor.
Resurface the Concrete Floor
As the second method, you can resurface the concrete floor. First, you must clean all the dirt and oil on the floor and blend the resurfacer properly as per the instructions. Then apply the area of the cracks using a trowel or squeegee. It will provide the floor with a smooth finish.
Concrete Sealer to Fix the Cracks
You also can use a concrete sealer. These sealers will help you to fill any holes or cracks on the concrete floor and will protect the floor from future damage. You can spread the sealer over the damaged area using a paintbrush. Always ensure you do all these things per the instructions given in the product you are using.
Using Epoxy
You can fix the cracks on the floor by applying epoxy on the foundation floor. These products are specially designed to seal and bond concrete floors. They come in different colours, so you can choose any colour that matches your basement floor. Using a putty knife, you can conceal the broken or cracked areas.
What Type of Concrete to Patch the Basement Floor?
You can use a few types of concrete mixes in the market to repair the concrete patches on the basement floor. There are three main types of concrete compounds; you can find them easily in any hardware store.
Concrete is a mixture of items containing various aggregates and additives. So let’s see what concrete you can use to repair the cracks on the basement floor.
- Fast-setting Concrete Mix: This will set in a matter of minutes. It takes a maximum of 40 minutes to fix. This is a great choice you can use to improve the patches on the basement floor. It would be best if you always were sure to read the instructions given in the product to get the best results.
- High-strength Concrete Mix: This is highly durable. If you are looking for something high-strength, this will be the best choice. Please read the instructions before using them, as you want to get them right.
- All-purpose cement: This is the most popular concrete among most people. This is considered the best product that you can use to repair the basement and foundation floors.
How Long Does It take to Fix a Crumbling Basement Floor?
The time it takes to fix the crumbling basement floor depends on the method and products you use to improve the foundation. As long as you use the best quality products, you can fix them quickly.
Conclusion
Now that you know the possible cause of a crumbling basement floor, you can take the necessary measures to prevent it from happening. If you have cracks on the basement floor, then waste no time and get it fixed before getting it worse. It will cost you a lot of money if you don’t take precautions at the correct time. So avoid any safety hazards that can cause by the cracks on the floor.
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