Concrete can crack due to a variety of reasons!

1. For one, improper sub-grade / sub-base preparation can lead to cracking. This is as concrete slabs or other structural concrete works may not be designed to carry too much tensional stress. Where under-slab or under-concrete conditions become loose or cause a void, this can create undue stress on the concrete, which reinforcement is not designed for.

2. It is possible your concrete is cracking because the mix design or strength of the concrete is simply not adequate for the job it is designed to do.

3. Improper curing periods or temperature problems with curing the concrete can cause premature failure and cracking of concrete.

4. Small hairline cracks tend to accumulate moisture or water, which, during winter, freezes and can cause the concrete to expand/contract seasonally, and over time, a small crack can become a large one. Concrete crack-filling and epoxy injections help to repair such concrete faults and prevent future damage.

5. Salts can cause damage to concrete over time, which can lead to cracks.

6. Improper or inadequately installed rebar (steel reinforcement) or welded-wire mesh can mean much of the strength of the concrete is lost. This can cause undue cracks due to pressure, so making sure rebar/reinforcement is installed properly, with proper cover, and to specifications for design or industry standard is essential.

Concrete flaking can happen over time due to prolonged freeze/thaw cycles. If it is surface level only it is not a major problem but if it is deeper it can be detrimental to the concrete as a whole. This can also be a problem with the delivery of the mix of the concrete, such as air-entrainment from the batch/mix design. 

Concrete pitting can make a concrete slab, patio, or surface unattractive over time. This is best solved by resurfacing the concrete. The resurfacing can involve finishing products such as sealers, epoxies, or other sub-surface penetrant sealers. Resurfacing uses a product to refinish a slab and make it look freshly poured.

Drilling and doweling is a term used in the concrete industry to describe using additional rebar/reinforcement to tie one structure to another. This could help repair a sinking set of stairs for instance, doweling the concrete into the adjacent structural concrete to join two structures. It is also used for concrete rebar repairs where additional rebar/reinforcement has to be added to concrete.

Repairing a sinking concrete driveway can be done with a foam injection underneath the concrete driveway. This can bring the concrete back up to grade. Alternatively the concrete can be removed in manageable sections and repoured with proper concrete base or foundation.

What can I do about foundation wall cracks?

The best course of action for basement foundation walls or other major structural component cracks is to use an epoxy injection crack filler. This sort of product when installed correctly not only brings back structural integrity to some capacity to the concrete structural element, but also aids in sealing up the concrete to prevent further water intrusion. Water intrusion is a source of damage to concrete over time.

If rebar is showing in concrete, then the damage is significant enough to necessitate removal or demolition. Sometimes, the isolated area can be tied in with existing structure or concrete. New reinforcement can then be installed to provide the structural rigidity that is lost. Rebar/reinforcement showing may be a sign of improper cover from design/installation.

One of the easiest ways to protect interior concrete flooring is to use a concrete sealer. A concrete sealer provides hardening properties and can increase or develop water-tightness. You can also take on concrete polishing services.

Concrete that is not badly damaged can be provided with a new finish, coatings, sealers, and general repairs. Another potential option is to resurface your concrete where serious damage is occurring. Concrete resurfacing utilizes specific concrete toppers and additives to facilitate level concrete surfaces.