Is your concrete aging? Concrete, like any other building material, has an expiration date. Exposed to the elements and the burdens it carries, concrete will eventually fail and need to be replaced. But replacement is only one of three points in the concrete's lifespan. Here are these steps and what they do to help your concrete live its full life. 

Step One: Repair

You can repair concrete to help extend its usefulness. Concrete is a porous material, and so, it will develop small damage over time from rain, snow, sunlight, and even plant material invasion. This damage can be relatively superficial.

If cracks, chips, or crumbling appear on the surface and don't go more than about 2 inches deep or spread widely, a professional crack repair service can often help keep them from developing further. Along with repairs, take proactive measures to reduce the source of problems, such as adjusting irrigation systems or gutters to diver excess water or snow from the concrete. 

Step Two: Resurfacing

If cracks and other damage becomes widespread, the cost and effort of repairing it all may actually be less than the cost of your next option: resurfacing. Resurfacing essentially covers over the old concrete with a new layer. This new 'seal' helps protect what's underneath.

As long as the basic structure of the concrete is intact and you have the additional height needed (for another layer of material), resurfacing serves as an excellent way to stave off a full replacement. It makes the concrete look like new and provides additional strength. 

Step Three: Replacement

Once structural problems begin to plague the concrete, repairs may be insufficient. And resurfacing relies on a solid structural foundation underneath. Are there signs of sagging, deeper cracks form throughout the slab, spalling (exposed aggregate), or roots warping the concrete? Such problems can't be solved by covering up the damage with either a repair or a resurfacing. 

To address functional deficits, it's probably time to replace the entire slab or section. And keep in mind that by this time, concrete technology has likely improved as well. You may get a more durable replacement product or one with a more environmentally-friendly footprint — both of which could address the real causes of whatever damaged the concrete in the first place. 

So, how can you learn more about these stages of concrete slab lifespan? Start by meeting with a concrete contractor in your area today. They can assess the stresses your slab is under and assess whether repair, resurfacing, or replacement is right for you. 

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