What’s a concrete control joint and what does it do? They’re far more common than you might think. In fact, you probably have some in the concrete slab in your home. We’ll give you the details in today’s blog. Head back to the main blog page for even more information for concrete projects for your home.
Control joints are placed into unreinforced or slightly-reinforced concrete slabs during construction. These joints essentially crack the concrete in specific places that won’t cause structural damage in order to prevent random cracking down the line in places that could be unappealing or dangerous.
By creating weakened plains in straight lines, the builder can induce cracking in a predetermined location, saving the rest of the concrete slab from random and sporadic cracking. The control joints are designed to be weaker or thinner areas for the concrete. Therefore, when the concrete dries out and shrinks, if cracking occurs, it will be at the control joint.
How do you figure out where to place the joints? Thankfully, that job is usually up to the architect or designer of the project. For help with any of your projects, big or small, request a free quote on our website.
Here are some tips to remember: panels formed by the joints should be as square as possible, and relatively small. No oddly-shaped pieces should be used, as this will encourage cracking in the wrong places. The control joints should be placed in a continuous manner, not staggered or offset. It’s also a good idea to install the joints where the slab would typically crack.
For help with your project or to trust the experts to get the job done right, visit our website. We can’t wait to help you install the perfect concrete for your home or business.