Have you ever seen a superstitious baseball player jump over the white line on a field, making sure he does not touch it? Or maybe you’ve watched kids play on the sidewalk and avoid touching the lines as they jump or run? These lines always get our attention but we may not think much about why they are there and what purpose they serve.
What Are Concrete Joints?
On a concrete driveway or sidewalk, these lines are called joints and they actually serve a very important function for the rest of the concrete slab. Over time, concrete can develop cracks that impact safety, durability and appearance. The joints that are cut into the concrete actually help control where those cracks form, extending the life of the concrete. Cutting joints protect your concrete and must be cut with precision and a careful attention to detail. Liberty Works Concrete is an experienced concrete contractor in Oakland County, Michigan, and will install concrete and cut and space the joints carefully for maximum effectiveness.
Concrete joints are actually one of the most vital parts of your sidewalk, driveway, or concrete slab. Over time, concrete is exposed to the harsh elements – 24/7 – heat, cold, moisture, sunlight, and foot traffic. Changes to the temperature of the concrete will cause the concrete to expand and contract over time, which causes stress across the whole area, resulting in cracks. The concrete joints cut during installation provide a natural place for the concrete to crack, preventing cracks from forming elsewhere. These joints are weak points that provide the concrete with a controlled place to crack. Cracks will form underneath the joint, essentially hiding them from plain view.
The Importance of Joint Spacing
An experienced and skilled concrete contractor takes the placement of these joints very seriously. Spacing is not at all random and is planned precisely based on things like the thickness of the slab of concrete, the slab dimensions, the shape, expected temperatures, traffic and the conditions underneath the concrete. So, the team at Liberty Works Concrete will never take a one size fits all approach to placing joints on your new concrete. We will carefully monitor curing conditions and schedule joint cutting and placement at a time that maximizes effectiveness. This will prevent random cracking, uneven sections in your concrete slab, higher maintenance costs, and poor visual appeal.
Family-Owned and Experienced Concrete Contractor in Michigan
When you hire the team at Liberty Works Concrete, you can be confident that you will get more than a concrete slab. You will be treated like family. Our team will go above and beyond all expectations in our customer service, consultation, design, concrete pouring, and finishing the job right. Our concrete contractors are detail-oriented and forward-thinking, and we understand Michigan weather and its effects on concrete. We pay special attention to joint placement so that cracks are prevented and steered exactly where we want them. We find that paying attention to joint placement helps keep your concrete project functioning well and looking its best for an extended period. If you have questions about a concrete project and want to partner with a local company that will be dependable, honest, and work with integrity, call Liberty Works Concrete today at (586) 227-7446 to schedule a time for a concrete consultation.
