Quite frequent phenomenon – cracks on even fresh concrete. What are the reasons? Poor -quality concrete or crooked hands?
Everything is much simpler. Cracks when drying can appear for two reasons:
The first is too thick a layer of concrete, so the concrete dries unevenly. When dried, concrete is compressed and if the concrete has not yet dried inside, it remains the same volume. Internal pressure occurs – raw concrete “sticks out”, and the dried -up cracks and crumbles.
Second – concrete is located on a sunny site. The sun heats one side of the concrete product, and the other side remains cold. Temperature voltage occurs and cracks appear at the junction of the cold and warm layer.
In both cases – both with a large concrete block, and when placing the foundation in the illuminated area in hot summer, the same technique for preventing cracks is used. It is banal to simplicity – concrete is watered with water.
Water reduces the temperature outside the concrete block and at the same time allows you to more evenly harden both outside and from the inside.
If possible, concrete should be closed from direct sunlight.
It is necessary to water concrete through a sprayer, in extreme cases from a watering can. But in no case with a stream. Watering is carried out according to the following schedule: 2 hours after pouring and every 3-4 hours after that in the first week. Second week less often, 2-3 times a day.
The hotter and sunny the weather, the more often you need to water concrete.
In winter, concrete filling is also possible, but at negative temperatures it must be heated, including using hot water to knead. During the construction of a private house, I believe, it is easier to wait for warm weather.
