Preventing Water and Soil Loss Through Concrete Gaps
Crack and Joint Sealing in Loveland for driveways, sidewalks, and patios where water enters fractures and washes soil away from beneath the slab
Cracks wider than a quarter inch and control joints that were never sealed allow water to flow directly beneath concrete slabs, eroding the soil base and creating voids that lead to further settling. Elevation Lifting & Leveling seals these openings using flexible polyurethane or silicone-based sealants across Loveland, Windsor, and Fort Collins to block water infiltration and prevent the cycle of erosion and settlement. Sealing extends the functional life of repaired slabs and protects surfaces that have not yet developed stability problems.
The sealing process begins with cleaning debris, vegetation, and loose material from the crack or joint using wire brushes and compressed air. Technicians then fill the gap with a self-leveling sealant that remains flexible through temperature changes and bonds to both edges of the concrete. Control joints receive backer rod installation before sealant application to ensure proper depth and prevent three-sided adhesion that causes premature failure.
Request a sealant evaluation to identify cracks and joints that currently allow water infiltration beneath your concrete.
What Proper Sealing Requires
Effective crack sealing depends on matching sealant type to crack width, movement potential, and exposure conditions. Hairline cracks receive epoxy injection for structural bonding, while active cracks that expand and contract with temperature swings require polyurethane or silicone formulations that stretch without tearing. Control joints always use flexible sealants because they are designed to accommodate slab movement, and rigid materials crack out within months.
Once sealing is complete, water no longer channels through the crack during rainstorms or snowmelt, soil stays in place beneath the slab instead of washing into voids, and weeds stop growing up through the gap. Sealed joints prevent pebbles and debris from wedging into the space and creating spalling along the edges when vehicles cross the joint. Surfaces that were sealed after lifting or leveling maintain their corrected grade because water no longer erodes the stabilized soil base.
Sealant adheres only to clean, dry concrete, so application must wait until surfaces have dried after rain or snow. Cracks that continue to move significantly due to ongoing settlement require stabilization before sealing, or the sealant will tear away from one edge as the gap widens. UV exposure gradually degrades exterior sealants, requiring reapplication every five to ten years depending on product type and sun exposure intensity.
Property owners in northern Colorado frequently ask about sealant selection, longevity, and when sealing should happen relative to other concrete repairs.
Common Questions About Sealing Cracks and Joints
What is the difference between sealing a crack and sealing a control joint?
Cracks formed due to stress or settling and may still be moving, requiring flexible sealants that accommodate further movement, while control joints were intentionally cut into the slab during installation to manage predictable shrinkage and always need flexible sealant with backer rod support.
How long does sealant last in Colorado's climate with intense sun and freeze-thaw cycles?
High-quality polyurethane sealants typically last seven to ten years in full sun exposure, while silicone formulations may extend beyond ten years, though both degrade faster in areas with constant water exposure and extreme temperature swings common to the Front Range.
Why do some sealed cracks fail within a year?
Sealant fails prematurely when cracks were not cleaned properly before application, when rigid materials were used in joints that move, or when the crack continues to widen due to unresolved settlement pulling the sealant beyond its stretch capacity.
Should cracks be sealed before or after lifting a settled slab?
Sealing happens after lifting and leveling work is complete, because the lifting process can cause new cracks to form or existing cracks to shift in width, and sealing beforehand wastes material that tears out during the repair.
Can sealing prevent a cracked slab from settling further?
Sealing blocks water from washing soil away beneath the slab, which prevents erosion-related settlement, but it does not stop settlement caused by soil compression or clay shrinkage underneath areas where the concrete remains intact.
Elevation Lifting & Leveling inspects cracks and joints to determine which require immediate sealing and which sealant type will perform best given your surface conditions. Schedule a consultation to review your concrete and discuss sealing recommendations specific to your property.
