UNEVEN OR CRACKED CONCRETE?
What Is Street Creep And What Causes It?
Street creep is a phenomenon that occurs as a result of nature’s uncontrollable effect on concrete slabs and joints. Both gravity and thermal (changes in temperature) expansion and contraction cause streets to literally move or slide toward surrounding homes. This movement causes pressure and cracking to the foundation of the homes it affects.
Street creep is almost completely unpredictable; there’s no definitive way to know when, where, or how far the concrete slabs will move. Signs of street creep may include compressed expansion joints, cracks in garage walls and floors, gaps around the garage door or foundation, and cracking or movement of foundation walls.
Street Creep Repair Process
Contractors place expansion joints in exterior concrete slabs to control movements caused by thermal activity. This is typically done by placing a buffer made of wood, rubber, or other material in between two slabs of concrete. The joints will shrink and expand as the concrete moves, absorbing the force before it damages the foundation. Eventually, these joints become filled with sand, gravel, and other debris and pressure is displaced from street, to driveway, to garage floor, and eventually to your home’s foundation walls.
Advantages of Street Creep Repair
- Allows concrete to expand and contract
- Large expansion material is used, allowing the concrete slab to move independently
- Prevents future foundation damage
- Street creep material moves with the concrete slabs
- Prevents additional cracks in concrete
