Cool Facts about poured concrete – Future Proof Property Inspections

66% of all foundations crack within the first year of being poured.
Typically hairline cracks, which are virtually unable to be seen, can occur within the first 2 weeks. These cracks will only get worse as time goes by.
Poured concrete is generally required to stay in the concrete forms for about 7 days. However, the removal of the concrete forms is typically done 1-2 days after the concrete is poured. Because of this, concrete cannot meet its strength factor, based on 7 or 28 days, which can result in weaker and cracked concrete.
Concrete typically reaches 50% of its strength factor in 7 days and 90% in 28 days and takes years to fully cure. However, although concrete gets stronger as it gets older it also becomes more brittle.
Concrete cracks give moisture a direct route into your home, however concrete is porous and has air pockets, which act like a sponge. Crack or not, if not protected, moisture will have easy access into your home.
Concrete does not require much water to achieve maximum strength. In fact, a wide majority of concrete used in residential work has too much water.
Water is added as a labor saving device to make the concrete easier to install. This excess water cannot only promote cracking but it can severely weaken the concrete.
60% of all homes built on expansive soils suffer from foundation distress.
Approximately 50% of the land in North America contains expansive soil.
Some foundation waterproofing coatings crack with the foundation and can degenerate or dissipate into the soil within 5-15 years leaving the foundation bare and unprotected