Control cuts in cement slab

[Pataskala Neander]

I had a contractor lay two large cement garage aprons. The control cuts he cut stopped about four inches from our house a block wall, and a wood wall abutting the slab. He did place expansion joint between the house and walls at our insistence.

Will the inevitable cracks that form in concrete go beyond the control cuts to these structures? It has been over almost two weeks since the pour, so is it too late for us to continue the cuts ourselves to the house and walls?

 

[billconner]

I can only offer that on our work the contractor was able to cut right to the stem wall, albeit it was shallower because of circular blade.

 

[nmk_61802]

If it cracks there, yes it will continue to thru the uncut section and display on the surface. He stopped there because his saw would not reach, and he didn't want to hand cut it. It is not to l late to cut it yourself, since it has yet to crack.

He really should have cut a relief both directions on that outside 90 as well. That is the most likely section to crack.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

When it cracks it will most likely straight to the edge. You can cut it closer yourself but it is difficult to get to the edge. I'd probably use an angle grinder and go at least 1/4" deep

 

[bb29510]

we dont do cement slab, we use rocks and sand too, and yes it will crack, and yes thats a sloppy job
a con with a tractor

 

[Sumboodie]

I would have used concrete.

 

[Beemer]

The Beverly Hillbillies would call it cement, but cement is a dry powder binder.
Hopefully you got some form of concrete; cement, sand, stone and water.
If you got cement and water you are headed for trouble.

 

[The Cobbler]

very likely the cracks will continue, but they wont extend into the original structures . ( if I understood your question correctly
a blade will leave an uncut area as the blade would hit the wall to get right in to the corner. he likely used a 14" blade. it can be touched up with a mini grinder & wheel to get closer to the walls , but it will be very dusty procedure

 

[ConCretin]

Very common for this to occur with sawn joints due to the physical limitations of the saw. The good news is that if cracks haven't appeared yet, they may not. Shrinkage cracks, which your control joints are meant to hide, usually occur in the early hours when shrinkage is the greatest and the concrete is at it's weakest. With that said, you could extend the cuts a little with a small diamond grinder disc but there's no easy way to get them all the way to the edge. In any case it's just an aesthetic issue whether a crack forms or not.

 

[billconner]

Now I can't explain why no problem but saw cuts in apron, patio, and side walk all go to adjacent wall.