ELIF: Why is concrete used on driveways cut to prevent heaving, but the same practice isn’t done in basements?
In: Engineering
Fact is that concrete cracks. Control joints are put in driveways to force it to crack in those spots. Large commercial floors also normally get cuts (either applied during finishing or saw cut later). Driveways are obviously exposed to much more drastic changes in temperature over time.
Simple explanation is that it’s generally just not a big deal in a basement. Seal it, cover it with carpet, whatever. It’s not normally something to be worried about unless there is significant vertical displacement between the two sides. It probably comes down to cost in the end. There are things that can be done in your basement slab that would limit this, but people aren’t normally going to want to spend the extra money for something that’s not really a big deal.
I’ve been building homes for 30+ years and I’ve rarely seen a basement floor without cracks…it happens but it’s rare.
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