It’s hard to think of building a house or some other building without using concrete. Concrete is used for foundations, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and a number of other structures. In fact, concrete is used in building more than any other manmade material. Concrete also is very strong, with average strength about 3,000 pounds per square inch and a maximum strength for some concrete of up to 20,000 psi. That makes it extremely popular in large infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. It’s important to examine both the pros and cons of using concrete.

When looking at the pros of concrete, one of the main benefits to look at is
how easy concrete is to use. Its main ingredients are cement, sand and water, which all are plentiful and easy to get. In fact, concrete is one of the building products that fluctuate the least in price. Just about anyone can mix and make concrete, and it does not take special skills to pour and shape it, although building contractors use concrete crews that are experienced.

Another pro of concrete is that it is durable and can be used in just about any environment. Concrete is used in hot and cold climates equally and in both wet and dry environments. Additional benefits include concrete being fire resistant and it being very low maintenance.

For all of its benefits, however, there are cons to using concrete. While it is durable and can be used in all types of conditions, the weather can eventually have effects on concrete. For example, concrete that’s subjected to constantly changing high and low temperatures will eventually develop cracks, which will lead to the need for concrete crack repair.

Another drawback of concrete is settling. If you have a concrete building foundation, it may start to settle and sink, which can lead to the need for slab jacking, an expensive process used to shore up a foundation. Concrete raising and leveling are among the services that might be required to deal with foundation settling. Foundation repair also can involve the need for a pressure grouting contractor to help stabilize the foundation. A pressure grouting contractor can help ensure your foundation problems don’t cause larger problems with your building.

If you are considering using concrete for your building needs, it helps to know the benefits and drawbacks to it. These are some of the most important pros and cons.