home improvement
Combatting Cracked Concrete: Causes of failing concrete and how to solve them
Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Cracked Concrete
(Family Features) Concrete is a strong, durable and easy-to-maintain material that is popular for driveways, walkways, patios and more. Like most materials, though, it can inevitably wear down over time.
When signs of failure show themselves, homeowners commonly face two options: repair or replace. Prepare and plan for eventual concrete deterioration with this advice from the experts at Thrasher Foundation Repair, which has served more than 150,000 families over the last 50 years.
Reasons for Concrete Failure
Natural elements like weather, water and earth are often to blame, but man-made mistakes can also contribute to concrete failure.
- Poorly compacted soil: When a home is constructed, a lot of soil is moved around and put back in place. This often results in loose, poorly compacted soil, which allows water to seep in, saturate and dry out. The constant expansion and contraction can create voids beneath the concrete, which it eventually sinks into.
- Weather: During hot weather, concrete expands and causes pressure throughout the slab, often resulting in cracks. Conversely, during cold weather, the moisture in the ground freezes and can cause the slab to shrink, causing concrete to lift, heave and crack.
- Excessive weight: Concrete is strong but not indestructible. Excessively heavy objects, like snow, can cause cracking.
- Shrinkage: When concrete is installed, water is used to facilitate mixing and pouring. As concrete cures, excess water evaporates and causes a reduction in concrete volume, sometimes leading to cracking.
Defects: Improper installation or a poorly prepared concrete mix may lead to a weak slab that’s prone to cracking.
Signs of Concrete Failure
Identifying failure can help you address issues before they get out of hand. One of the most common signs is cracking – while a few hairline cracks that aren’t actively growing aren’t typically a problem, larger cracks that spread can affect drainage, aesthetics and structural integrity.
If you notice water collecting in areas following heavy rain, that may indicate a soil issue that can lead to concrete failure. Pitting, flaking and staining are also signs of damaged concrete. Uneven surfaces or sinking concrete are serious signs that concrete slabs are struggling with external factors that need to be addressed.
Options for Addressing Concrete Failure
When homeowners notice signs of failure in their driveways, sidewalks or patios, they often assume replacement is the only option. However, concrete repair can revitalize slabs without a full replacement, typically at a lower price.
Repair: New technology makes repairing concrete less invasive, more affordable and quicker than total replacement. Consider Thrasher Foundation Repair’s PolyLevel process, which refers to a system using a two-part polyurethane polymer to fill voids and lift concrete slabs to their original position. It’s injected through a pencil eraser-sized hole and expands into a structural foam that compacts the soil. Quick, noninvasive and aesthetically pleasing, it’s a fast installation process with a curing time of 15-20 minutes so the surface can be used the same day. This repair process is recommended for cracks, settled and unlevel slabs or sunken steps.
“Repairing concrete, rather than full replacement, can save homeowners as much as 50-80%, depending on square footage,” said Dan Thrasher, CEO of Thrasher Foundation Repair. “It’s often a more economical solution that provides peace of mind, visual appeal and long-lasting results.”
Staining: After a repair, slabs may appear mismatched. Staining concrete adds visual appeal while helping to prevent pitting, flaking, cracking and moisture-related issues.
Replacement: As a long, disruptive and inconvenient process, full slab replacement can be overwhelming, both in terms of time and money. Some situations do call for full slab replacement, however, such as concrete older than 30 years, deep cracks and large potholes or a poorly installed base.
When choosing the right way to address concrete failure, it’s important to consider your time and budget. When in doubt, contact a professional who can walk you through the process by visiting GoThrasher.com.
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Consumer Corner
5 Smart Ways to Prepare Your Home to Weather Storm Season
By readying your home for storm season in advance, you can prevent minor problems from turning into major damage. Consider these five tips to batten down the hatches when the skies are getting dark.
(Feature Impact) Whether your area is prone to thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes or other forms of severe weather, the best time to prepare is before the first raindrop hits. By readying your home for storm season in advance, you can prevent minor problems from turning into major damage.
Consider these five tips to batten down the hatches when the skies are getting dark.
Check Your Roof and Gutters
Your roof has one job – to be a shield against the elements. Don’t wait for a storm to discover you have loose shingles that could fly off in high winds, cracked seals where the roof meets the walls or sagging gutters that aren’t capable of funneling water away from the house. Stay up to date on roof maintenance and clear leaves, twigs and other debris from gutters to prevent clogging.
Trim Trees and Landscaping
Dead trees or weak branches can break and turn into projectiles during storms, potentially causing damage to your house, car or nearby power lines. Next time you have yardwork on the agenda, factor storm preparation into your landscaping plans. Keep trees and bushes trimmed and consider bringing in a professional to assess the health of any trees near your home that could be at risk of toppling.
Strengthen Your Home’s Weak Spots
Windows and doors are some of the most vulnerable places during storms, so pay extra attention to weatherproofing there. Look for any cracks in the glass, check for worn seals or drafty areas and make sure doors close securely and don’t rattle. If you live in an area prone to strong winds or hurricanes, consider upgrading your home with storm shutters for extra peace of mind when debris starts flying.
Turn Your Yard Into a No-Fly Zone
When there’s bad weather in the forecast, you probably aren’t planning to go out and lounge on patio furniture as the skies open up – so pack it up. Secure any items that are too large to bring inside and check around the yard for lightweight items like gardening tools, toys and anything else that could become airborne during strong gusts.
Make a Power Outage Plan
During a storm, nobody wants to fumble around in the dark trying to find batteries for a dead flashlight. Save yourself the trouble by assembling an emergency kit to help your household get by without power if the lines go down. Know where to find flashlights, fresh batteries, power banks to charge your phones, nonperishable food and first-aid supplies or essential medications. If you plan to use a generator, test it and make sure you know how to use it before you need it.
Discover more tips to protect your home at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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Health
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips you can use to make your home safer all year round.
5 Babyproofing Tips for Baby Safety Month
(Feature Impact) Outsmarting a baby can be harder than it sounds – especially when it comes to transforming your home into a safe place for them to explore. Through their eyes, a coffee table becomes a climbing opportunity, a dangling phone charger looks like a teething toy and a cabinet of cleaning supplies could be an exciting travel destination.
Babyproofing is about anticipating those discoveries before little ones make them. In honor of National Baby Safety Month, consider these tips to make your home safer all year round.
Install Gates and Doorknob Covers
Crawling babies and stairs are a bad combination. Make sure the two never have the chance to meet by securely installing safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to thwart young explorers. Gates or doorknob covers can also block access to other rooms and areas you’d prefer to keep off limits, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas.
Use Safety Latches Wisely
Cabinets and drawers can contain a myriad of dangerous items, from cleaning products to sharp objects and medications. Even if you have rooms gated off, treat safety latches and locked storage receptacles as a second line of defense to make sure babies and toddlers can’t rummage where they shouldn’t.
Stress-Test Furniture
As babies and toddlers transition from crawling to walking, they often try using furniture to pull themselves up. Tall or unstable objects like TV stands, small tables and bookshelves can tip over if they aren’t properly secured. Try giving these objects a shake to see whether they’re easily moveable or wobbly; if so, anchor them to the floor or wall when possible. While you’re at it, check for sharp corners at the right height to bonk little heads and cover them with softer edge protectors.
Cover Outlets and Stow Cords
Electrical outlets can be tempting targets for curious fingers. Outfit them with covers or plastic safety caps, especially if you don’t already have tamper-resistant receptacles with built-in mechanisms to block foreign objects from entering the slots. As you’re going about your outlet audit, pay attention to cords as well. When possible, tuck them away or secure them with cord organizing systems, and block access to objects like lamps where cords can be used for tugging and toppling.
See the World at Their Level
Although it might feel silly, one of the best ways to spot hazards around your home is to scout for them from a baby’s perspective. Try getting as close to the floor as you can then look around each room for anything that could interest a young child and pose potential danger. In particular, keep an eye out for small objects that could become choking hazards, like dropped coins, batteries or loose toy pieces.
As children grow, so do the needs of your space. Visit eLivingtoday.com for more ideas on designing your home to fit your family.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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home improvement
The New Rules of Remodeling: How to Balance Style, Durability and Cost
New Rules of Remodeling: Homeowners are approaching exterior remodeling with a sharper focus than ever before. Higher material costs, longer project timelines and a growing emphasis on long-term value are reshaping how they make decisions. The most effective projects begin with thoughtful planning and product selection while keeping an eye on long-term outcomes. To get a better understanding of these updated guidelines, consider this guidance.
The New Rules of Remodeling: How to Balance Style, Durability and Cost
(Feature Impact) Homeowners are approaching exterior remodeling with a sharper focus than ever before. Higher material costs, longer project timelines and a growing emphasis on long-term value are reshaping how they make decisions.
The “new rules of remodeling” are clear: Success depends on striking the right balance between style, durability and overall cost of ownership.
Curb appeal still matters, but not at the expense of performance or maintenance demands. Likewise, upfront savings mean little if materials require frequent repair or replacement. The most effective projects begin with thoughtful planning and product selection while keeping an eye on long-term outcomes.
To get a better understanding of these updated guidelines, consider this guidance from the home remodeling experts at Westlake Royal Building Products, a leader in the manufacturing of siding and accessories, trim and moulding, roofing, stone, windows and outdoor living.
Planning Takes Precedence
Digital tools are playing a larger role in helping homeowners make informed decisions earlier in the remodeling process. In fact, nearly 30% of homeowners plan to invest more than 10 hours researching before hiring a contractor, highlighting a shift toward more deliberate, front-loaded planning, according to Modernize’s 2025 Homeowner Insights survey. Platforms like Design Canvas reflect this change. The tool allows users to visualize exterior renovations using realistic previews, experiment with materials and color palettes and generate product lists, all before beginning construction.
This kind of planning reduces uncertainty and helps avoid costly mid-project changes, which is part of a broader trend: More homeowners are investing significant time toward researching projects upfront to ensure smarter, more efficient execution. Homeowners can now test design choices, align expectations with budgets and move forward with greater confidence.
“With the launch of our new website and Design Canvas, our goal was to create a seamless and inspiring experience that reflects the innovation and breadth of our product offerings,” said Steve Booz, vice president of marketing at Westlake Royal Building Products. “This is a launch pad where customers can explore everything Westlake Royal has to offer, discover the right products for their next project and bring their visions to life through creativity, education and interactive design.”
Durability is as Important as Style
Once the homeowner establishes a clear vision, material selection becomes the next critical step. That is particularly true for siding, which plays a central role in both aesthetics and protection.
Products like TruExterior Lap Siding demonstrate how manufacturers are responding to modern homeowner priorities. Designed to replicate the look of traditional cedar, it delivers the depth and shadow lines associated with classic wood siding, without the vulnerabilities that often come with it.
Its poly-ash composition provides resistance to warping, cracking and splitting while maintaining dimensional stability in varying climates. The material can be installed with standard tools, painted in a wide range of colors and even used in ground-contact applications. These attributes translate to lower maintenance requirements and fewer long-term repair costs.
This combination of aesthetic flexibility and durability directly supports the new remodeling framework. Homeowners no longer need to choose between appearance and performance. They can achieve both while staying within budget.
Cost and Timing are Still Deciding Factors
Timing and cost efficiency also factor into the equation. Projects that begin with clear planning and reliable materials tend to move more smoothly, avoiding delays tied to redesigns, product substitutions or unexpected maintenance considerations, which can also help keep the project on budget.
Ultimately, the new rules of remodeling are less about tradeoffs and more about alignment. Style, durability and cost are no longer competing priorities. Rather, they are interconnected elements of a successful project.
As the remodeling landscape continues to change, those who approach projects with this balanced mindset will be best positioned to achieve results that look better, last longer and cost less over the long haul. Explore products and design tools to assist with your next project at westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com.
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Westlake Royal Building Products
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