Even the American Concrete Institute has no standards or recommendations that give a "yes" or "no" answer as to what cracks need repair based on width and other factors.
The answer may also change with the person’s perspective: What is acceptable to the contractor, engineer, or architect may not be acceptable to the owner, who must live with the crack day after day. It can vary from one project to the next. The hairline cracks in this floor were air brushed with brown dye to achieve a beautiful crackle pattern.Īt what width does a crack in concrete become a problem? That question often arises, but unfortunately there is no definite answer. Not all cracks in concrete are serious enough to require repair.
The ground upon which the concrete will be placed must be compacted. So 4"concrete should have joints 8-12' apart. The joints should be of the depth of the slab and no more than 2-3 times (in feet) of the thickness of the concrete (in inches). Reason #4 - Lack of control jointsĬontrol joints help concrete crack where you want it to. Verify what strength the concrete you are pouring should be poured at.Ĭonsult with the Ready Mix Concrete Association in your area. Reason #3 - Improper strength concrete poured on the jobĬoncrete is available in many different strengths. Read here about the methods to cure concrete and understand how your contractor will cure the concrete.