Are Cracks In Garage Floor Normal

The good news is that most cracks in garage floors are common and not an indication of serious structural issues however there are a few that indicate that maintenance is needed or that there may be a structural concern.

Are cracks in garage floor normal.

You can fix the cracks easily if you like. In general a small number of tight less than 1 8 inch wide stable cracks are considered normal shrinkage cracks. This requires tensile strength provide by rebar placed in a grid in the slab. If they are larger or growing wider then you probably have uneven settling taking place and the slab is not strong enough to tolerate the movement.

Concrete cracks due to inclusions photo above of shale and iron sulfide mineral pyrrhotite cracking see details at pyrrhotite inclusion cracking. First horizontal crack on garage wall around 1 8 inch wide and 3 feet long located 2 inches above the floor. For example large trees near your garage may have roots that reach under the floor disturbing the cement and causing it to crack. Are cracks in garage floor normal.

Unless there is a structural defect in the floor there is no need to worry about the cracks. Jagged cracks stair step cracks and 45 degree angle cracks generally signify structural movement or settling issues that are occasionally serious but usually harmless. Be they straight jagged or spiderweb like fine cracks in the basement floor commonly result from surface shrinkage as. You will see cracks in most garage floors.

Hairline cracks need no repair and are not indicative of a larger problem. Cold joints look like cracks but are ok. Are cracks in garage floor normal. Settlement cracks are generally more serious than shrinkage cracks.

Ultimately severity depends on crack width and if it continues to grow or not. Frost heaves or expansive soil damage photo above can cause substantial damage to basement crawl space or garage floor slabs in some conditions. Analyze the direction of the crack. Outside wall on west side of the house there are 5 horizontal cracks.

Vertical and horizontal cracks in drywall or plaster walls typically indicate drying and shrinkage which is normal after construction. It is very normal for the garage floor to have cracks in them. A little bit of settlement is normal over the years but it can put pressure on garage floors and result in cracks. You will see cracks in most garage floors.

Another possible cause of a crack can be standing water. It is very normal for the garage floor to have cracks in them. Each around 1 16 inch wide and 2 to 3 feet long. You can fix the cracks easily if you like.

Water is a powerful force and if it is allowed to freeze the resulting ice expands and widens any tiny crack it has seeped into accelerating damage to a concrete floor.