Concrete is such a durable building material that it is estimated it covers 0.5% – 0.8% of the earth’s surface– almost one percent! In Texas, it’s even more common — as a Texas homeowner or property manager, it’s likely this composite material covers more than 1% of your domain. Although the durable material is meant to withstand wear and tear, it is occasionally unavoidable that you must deal with cracked, sinking, or damaged concrete on sidewalks, driveways, patios, and foundations.
If you are looking for practical, price-conscious advice about this maintenance, you may be wondering about the best time for concrete repairs in Texas. If that’s you, read on, because timing is key: the state’s climate of extreme heat, soil movement, and seasonal moisture differences have an undeniable impact on the longevity of concrete repairs.
How Weather Affects Concrete Repairs
As a property manager or homeowner, it’s important to consider seasonal concrete maintenance in Texas, because temperature and humidity play a major role in repair success.
The water content in concrete is one of the biggest factors in the long-term success of any concrete structure or surface. ASTM International (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials) recommends that the relative humidity of a concrete slab be at or below 75%. Although this number may seem high, it makes sense, considering water is an essential component of the concrete mixture. However, this moisture impacts the longevity of the concrete, because, as the material dries, movement between the aggregate, admixtures, and cement create spaces called capillaries. Once a slab is cured, water in the concrete must move through these capillaries to exit the slab; however moisture in the air or surrounding environment can also move into the slab through the same mechanism, impeding the drying time of the concrete. Relative humidity causes concrete to expand, but then when it dries, it settles. The more frequently this happens, or the more water the concrete is forced to absorb from the external environment, the more likely those capillaries are to cause structural liability in the future. For this reason, we recommend performing concrete repair in Texas during the dry season.
However, the season shouldn’t be too dry or too hot, because concrete can cure too quickly at high temperatures. Although this sounds like a benefit (time is money!) concrete curing is a complex chemical process. Without proper time to cure, cracks can occur, which reduces both aesthetic value and long-term strength. Alternatively, if the temperature is too cold, the curing process may not produce optimal chemical bonds, also reducing the strength of the material. The ideal temperature for concrete to cure is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sometimes it is unavoidable that you might need to complete concrete crack repairs in Texas under less than ideal conditions, and you may be wondering how to mitigate the effects of non-optimal weather. Luckily, if forced to repair concrete during a heat wave, more ideal curing conditions can be achieved by mixing more water into the concrete during the early stages of hardening, sealing the surface immediately to prevent moisture loss, or ideally by utilizing continuous moist curing to maintain proper levels of relative humidity.
Planning a Texas concrete leveling project in winter? If the slab is large enough, the heat produced by the curing time itself may be enough to protect the concrete. If not, consider utilizing steam-curing, heating coils, or even covering the slab with insulating blankets or covers.
Best Time of Year for Concrete Repairs in Texas
Now that you understand the different risks that temperature and humidity pose to concrete stability, you may have guessed late spring and early fall are typically the best times to complete seasonal concrete maintenance in Texas, due to the mild temperatures and lower rain risk. These “shoulder seasons” can provide ideal conditions compared to summer and winter. With average high temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit across the state during June, July, and August, the extreme heat of summer makes for a more complicated repair process, due to the possibility of heat expediting the curing time, as mentioned above. Winter also isn’t ideal. Since colder temperatures slow curing times, a close eye must be kept on a project to ensure proper curing temperatures are maintained, and conditions adjusted as best as possible based on cold snaps or unpredictable precipitation.
Tips for Planning Your Concrete Repairs
Now that you are armed with the knowledge about the best time for concrete repairs in Texas, it’s time to make a plan. Here are three tips to make your repair process more seamless:
Schedule Ahead
With only a few months of the year with ideal conditions to protect and maintain the longevity and durability of concrete, it is important to plan ahead. If you’re hoping to have patio repairs finished in time for BBQ season, contact contractors in early winter so they can book you during the spring. Similarly, if you know you need the parking lot ready for fall tailgating season, make time to obtain quotes during June, so you can schedule the work for early September. Planning and scheduling ahead will help avoid work delays during peak seasons.
Inspect for Damage
In order to be able to plan and schedule ahead for concrete repair in Texas, though, you have to be aware of the need for repairs. This requires maintaining awareness of the conditions on your property. Make a monthly calendar reminder to walk your property and inspect concrete for damage. The earlier you notice potential problems, the sooner you can repair them, which will save you time and money in the long run.
Preventative Care
Along those lines, don’t wait until damage occurs to ask for help. Despite the inherent durable nature of concrete, it is still susceptible to corrosive environmental factors, fluctuations in humidity and temperature over time, and shifting soil conditions. With regular inspections to your concrete surfaces, you will notice the first signs of wear, like cracks, scaling, or pitting. Consider sealants and other preventative care as the first step to avoiding major concrete crack repair in Texas, and schedule these updates during optimal weather conditions.
Why Work with Apex Concrete Repair
Whether you need concrete leveling in Texas for your patio or foundation or you’re hoping for a new layer of sealant to protect your existing concrete sidewalk or driveway, it pays dividends to choose a contractor, like Apex Concrete & Repair, with local knowledge of Texas soil conditions and seasonal cycles. With over 30 years in business across 35 counties, Apex has developed proven methods for leveling, sealing, and repairing concrete that hold up to TX weather season after season. They are trusted by 20,000 clients across the region, including homeowners for honest assessments and long-term solutions.If you are looking for a knowledgeable, local expert who can help you plan ahead for effective, long-lasting repairs, please reach out to Apex Concrete & Repair for a free consultation. And remember – book early to lock in those preferred scheduling windows so your concrete is ready when you are!
