Concrete slab cracking

[tigershoops31]

I just had a concrete slab poured last week for a basketball court. Today after the freeze there are long cracks across the surface of it. They are basically flat lines right now and aren't wide at all so can't really put sealant or anything in them. The guy I went through thinks with the underlayment they put in that it will just be cosmetic and not settle.

I'm looking for suggestions as it's pretty frustrating having a big new slab and already having crack lines all over it. A contractor buddy of mine thought that poured rubber surface over the top would be an option to keep it from weathering in the future, but I am guessing that would be pretty expensive. Anybody with experience know of anything or have experience with poured rubber surface?

 

[Wesley]

Is there a contractor involved? If so, make him replace it.

 

[JSmoove]

How big a slab are we talking?

 

[Tre4ISU]

I have seen a couple big pours (200X100) done by guys that know what they are doing and they were cracking right away. If it's of any size at all, that's just going to be something that more often than not comes with the territory. I wouldn't worry unless it becomes a problem in terms of uneven surfaces. The ones I saw crack just about right away have been nothing more than cosmetic. If it settles, you have a ***** with someone. That may be two different people depending on if one guy did all of the work or just poured it.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Oh and was it cut?

 

[tigershoops31]

Is there a contractor involved? If so, make him replace it.

Yes.

How big a slab are we talking?

50'x25'

Oh and was it cut?

Yeah, I think the problem was that they waited too long to cut it.

 

[stevefrench]

Oh and was it cut?

this. if they didn't cut expansion joints then they didn't finish the job. If it's just little surface cracks that look cosmetic then it isn't an issue. typical, especially if it's poured when the temperature is still so up and down like it is right now. concrete takes time to cure properly. it struggles when the temperature is so inconsistent. there's plenty of concrete filler products out there that will conceal these if it's only surface blemishes. if they're legitimate cracks with any depth to them you need to get the guy who poured it back over to address it. Any contractor or sub worth a damn will remedy something when a mistake is made.

 

[Die4Cy]

All concrete cracks, dude.

 

[Rabbuk]

Look at the weather report before pouring concrete?

 

[Covenant Clone]

2 absolute guarantees with concrete. Nobody is going to steal it and its going to crack. If its surface cracking there isn't much that can be done about it and it won't hurt anything (other than being frustrating). I would suggest keeping an eye on it as it cures out further (concrete doesn't fully cure for a long time). The other thing I would suggest is taking pictures of it and keep an album of the slab as it progresses. If you have the email address of the contractor always send him emails and pictures if you correspond with him. That way you have a paper trail and photos if it does get worse.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Yes.


50'x25'


Yeah, I think the problem was that they waited too long to cut it.

How long did they wait?

 

[tigershoops31]

How long did they wait?

Cement Truck came at 9:00 Friday morning and they poured, came back Saturday late morning (after 10 and before 2) and cut it. Attaching a picture of the cracks tonight

 

[cyfan964]

Truck came at 9:00 Friday morning, came back Saturday late morning (after 10 and before 2). Attaching a picture of the cracks tonight View attachment 26230

A.) All concrete cracks
B.) It shouldn't crack that fast.
C.) Sounds like shoddy pour job.
D.) I would personally either not pay full price, or make them repour it.

 

[Wesley]

That does not look good at all. Did they saw it after or before the cracks?

 

[Tre4ISU]

They waited too long and originally I thought you were just complaining to complain but I would be disappointed in that.

 

[IceCyIce]

Cracks going one direction may not be major? Cracks going both ways and intersecting.....not good . This will be a problem. Get him to repair or replace. Do not pay balance due if possible

 

[tigershoops31]

That does not look good at all. Did they saw it after or before the cracks?

They sawed it before the cracks, but in talking to them and a couple of other contractors it sounds like they probably waited too long and that it was already cracking there when they cut it.

 

[tigershoops31]

A.) All concrete cracks
B.) It shouldn't crack that fast.
C.) Sounds like shoddy pour job.
D.) I would personally either not pay full price, or make them repour it.

They waited too long and originally I thought you were just complaining to complain but I would be disappointed in that.

Cracks going one direction may not be major? Cracks going both ways and intersecting.....not good . This will be a problem. Get him to repair or replace. Do not pay balance due if possible

Those are kind of my thoughts too...I would just like to have it looking nice as we're shelling out several thousand for the court. I realize taking it out and re-pouring would cause him to lose a lot of money on the job beyond just not making a profit on it so I feel bad asking him to do that, especially if it truly does end up just being cosmetic. I think a deep discount would be in order, but not sure how to go about getting that across without coming off sounding like a jerk.

 

[cmjh10]

Those are kind of my thoughts too...I would just like to have it looking nice as we're shelling out several thousand for the court. I realize taking it out and re-pouring would cause him to lose a lot of money on the job beyond just not making a profit on it so I feel bad asking him to do that, especially if it truly does end up just being cosmetic. I think a deep discount would be in order, but not sure how to go about getting that across without coming off sounding like a jerk.

Just bring it up. If he wants to keep a good reputation, he will work with you

 

[Covenant Clone]

Cement Truck came at 9:00 Friday morning and they poured, came back Saturday late morning (after 10 and before 2) and cut it. Attaching a picture of the cracks tonight View attachment 26230

They waited too long and originally I thought you were just complaining to complain but I would be disappointed in that.

Seeing those pictures definitely changes my opinion. I personally don't think its an issue with waiting to cut it. When my concrete guys pour a basement slab or driveway they usually wait until the next day to cut it. I think it was poured too wet (something a lot of concrete guys do because wet concrete is easier to move and finish). I would definitely let him know you aren't satisfied with how it looks. I think it can be tactfully done without sounding like a jerk. If he's reputable he should stand behind his product.

I do still think that it is cosmetic but that looks pretty bad. If nothing else he should apply a coating or epoxy too it so it looks nicer than it currently does.