Why Is My Retail Store’s Concrete Floor Buckling?

If you’re an owner or manager of a retail store in Atlanta, you might have recently noticed some alarming signs on your concrete floor. Buckling, cracking or uneven surfaces can not only affect the aesthetic appeal of your store but can also pose safety hazards and impact customer experience.

Advance Concrete Lifting and Leveling explains why this happens and how we can address it to save you time, money and potential liability issues down the road.

What Causes Concrete Floor Buckling?

Many reasons can be behind your buckled and uneven concrete floor. Here are some of the leading causes we discover:

1. Moisture Issues: One of the primary culprits behind buckling concrete floors is excess moisture. In Atlanta’s humid climate, high levels of humidity can seep into concrete, especially if it wasn’t properly sealed. This moisture can lead to expansion and eventual buckling, particularly if the slab is thin or if there is inadequate drainage.
2. Improper Installation: Sometimes, the concrete is not poured or cured properly. If the base layers aren’t compacted sufficiently, or if the mixture itself is poorly formulated, the concrete may settle unevenly. This can lead to pressure building up beneath the surface, resulting in buckling.
3. Temperature Fluctuations: Concrete is a natural material that expands in heat and contracts in cold. Frequent temperature changes, common in Georgia, can lead to movement in the concrete, causing it to buckle. If your store doesn’t have adequate climate control, the concrete could be more prone to issues.
4. Heavy Loads: Retail stores often have substantial loads from shelving, inventory and foot traffic. If your concrete floor was not designed to handle these loads, it could start to buckle under pressure. This is particularly relevant in stores that have heavy equipment or very dense merchandise.
5. Soil Erosion and Compaction: Soil can erode, shift or compact for several reasons. However, the primary cause is water infiltrating the substrate beneath your concrete floors. These structures can cover large areas, making replacement an extensive and costly prospect.

How to Address Buckling Concrete Floors

Advance Concrete Lifting and Leveling uses a simple, effective and affordable solution to level buckling concrete floors. Polymer foam injections are an effective solution for lifting and leveling concrete floors in any room with minimal disruption. This method involves injecting foam that fills voids and stabilizes the surrounding soil, creating a solid base that not only raises but also reinforces the concrete slab. Importantly, this process does not require the replacement of any part of the concrete floor, as the injections are performed through small boreholes.

The support provided by polymer injections is designed to last for decades, allowing your concrete floors in Atlanta to regain their lost stability. This restoration enhances safety, ensuring that employees and customers can walk on the surfaces without the risk of tripping or falling.

Alpharetta Repair and Level Concrete Floors

Concrete floor buckling can be a significant concern for Alpharetta retail store owners, but we have solutions to help you maintain a safe, attractive environment for your customers. Contact Advance Concrete Lifting and Leveling if you notice issues, as catching them early can save you from bigger problems down the line.