Concrete is one of the most durable materials for sidewalks and driveways, floor but it is not uncommon for it to crack. Sometimes only a few months into placement. In such a case, as a property owner, of course, you are bound to doubt the quality of the work done. However, strong, crack resistant concrete does not just happen by accident. It all starts with the mixture and placement. But even with properly mixed and installed concrete, it is almost impossible to find a concrete surface bare of a simple crack. Although some cracks are big, look terrible, and can be hazardous.

There are a few main and common reasons for a sidewalk or a driveway to crack. One common mistake is when contractor uses too much water in the cement mixture. Concrete does not require too much water, yet many unskilled contractors add more water than needed just because it is easier to pour into hard to reach places.The water in excess greatly reduced the strength of the cement sidewalk. When water evaporates, concrete starts to dry and shrink which causes your sidewalk to crack without proper hardening.

The second most common mistake is when the concrete starts to rapidly dry. The reaction that takes place during the mixture of cement and the water requires not only the right proportions of each, but also the right amount of time to harden. Reaction takes place for several days and sometimes weeks so fast drying causes cracks as well.

There are two environments to control when working with the cement sidewalks and driveways. One is the understanding of the particular layer of soil underneath the sidewalk and material to use. Another, is the weather conditions which play important role when working with concrete. So, before you let anyone replace or install a sidewalk, make sure you are dealing with the right concrete company in nyc.