Concrete Leveling Problems

Slump is the a way of measuring concrete consistency, but also means how level the concrete becomes after it sets up. Many things can cause concrete to slump. Improper installation of the concrete is the primary cause of concrete slump. Other signs develop when concrete slumps too much in one place.

Crazing is when concrete develops small cracks in the surface. Excessive slump in one area of the concrete creates crazing. More than four inches of slump in one confined area of the concrete will cause the surface layer of the concrete to shrink too quickly. The slump will cure the concrete too rapidly because the water will run away from the slump, drying the surface area faster.

Scaling is another symptom of too much slump in the concrete. The concrete surface begins to flake or peel because the concrete cured too quickly in the slump area. The slumped area created during finishing freezes quicker in cold weather and the surface begins to peel. Ensure that the concrete is not installed in temperatures below 40 degrees and must cure within a 24-hour period.

The foundation of a concrete slab or pavement can cause the concrete to slump in one area. Water can stand in this slumped area causing the mixture to weaken or crack. Every part of the foundation must be compacted and a layer of sand and gravel installed in an equal amount to prevent slumping in the concrete mixture.

Another cause of concrete slump occurs when wet concrete is mixed with or placed next to dryer concrete. Delays in concrete delivery can cause the concrete that has been installed to begin curing before the rest of the required concrete can be installed. The drying concrete will begin to demand the water in the wet concrete preventing the wet concrete to cure properly. The wet concrete will begin to slump and the dry concrete will begin to expand creating a slump variation between mixtures.


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