The Importance of Concrete Remediation
Concrete is an amazing construction material but like any other material it can be damaged by a variety of things. Each situation is different and requires a specific approach.
Non-structural cracks in concrete should be repaired immediately as they can lead to rusting of reinforcing steel and reduce the load-carrying capacity of the structure. Repairing methods can include injections and flexible sealing.
Cracks
Concrete is a strong, durable construction material, but it can be damaged in many ways. Cracks, spalling, and delamination are common problems that can lead to structural failure or costly repairs. Fortunately, these issues can be remedied using advanced concrete repair methods.
Early thermal contraction cracks are generally considered not to affect the safety of concrete structures unless they reach the load bearing limit, but may have a detrimental impact on their visual appearance. If left untreated they can act as a passageway for water, oxygen and minerals which may lead to corrosion of reinforcement steel and deterioration of the concrete.
Keeping your concrete surfaces in good condition is critical to protecting the integrity of your home. Vesta Foundation Solutions can eliminate tripping hazards and restore the look of concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, and more with innovative concrete leveling services. Our Foundation Supportworks dealer can lift sunken concrete with PolyLevel, a polyurethane foam that expands to fill the void and protect the surrounding soil.
Delamination
Concrete has some amazing properties but it can also be prone to damage in a number of ways including structural movement, weathering, thermal and moisture change, reinforcement corrosion and chemical attack. These issues can cause significant cost and structural issues if left untreated.
Delamination is the separation of the concrete surface from the underlying structure usually due to premature and/or improper finishing or entrapment of bleed water and air voids beneath the trowel finish. This issue can range in severity from a few small, isolated areas that sound hollow when lightly tapped to large areas of the floor that are loose and crumble easily.
Delamination can be detected using sounding surveys or chain drag surveys and can often be rectified with a simple patch repair. However, this can lead to a floor that looks like a patchwork quilt which some owners are reluctant to accept. Epoxy injection is also an option to re-bond the concrete surface and reduce future delamination.
Spalling
Concrete is a versatile material that can be used for many different types of projects. However, this material isn’t invincible and it needs to be taken care of properly. This means routine inspections and maintenance to prevent surface issues.
Spalling is a common problem that can be caused by several environmental and structural stressors. It typically shows up as pitting, flaking, or peeling sections of concrete. It can lead to a host of problems, including delamination and the corrosion of steel reinforcement bars. It also poses a struck-by hazard and reduces the capacity of concrete to safely support imposed loads.
This condition can be spotted in concrete driveways, patios, and garage slabs, as well as in foundations. It’s often a sign of improper mixing during construction, but it can also be caused by drainage problems on your property. In the case of a foundation, you’ll likely need to remove damaged material and replace it with new concrete to restore the strength and integrity of the slab.
Popouts
Concrete is one of the most utilised materials on earth. It is used to build roads, bridges, and residential and commercial buildings. However, this material is not impervious to damage and deterioration. Concrete remediation is essential to keep the integrity and durability of concrete structures in good condition.
Popouts are a type of surface defect in concrete slabs that appear as shallow holes or pits on the surface of the concrete. They are usually small and cone-shaped and can be caused by either physical or chemical reaction.
Physical concrete popouts occur when aggregate particles have low density and absorb water during curing. The resulting expansion causes the aggregate to break free of the concrete, leaving a shallow hole on the slab surface.
Chemical concrete popouts are less common and can be more difficult to identify. These are caused by high-alkali materials in the concrete mixture that react with silica to form a gel that expands as it absorbs water. The best way to prevent concrete popouts is by using an aggregate that is low-alkali or non-reactive. Using a lower water-to-cementitious material ratio and longer curing times for exterior flatwork can also reduce the frequency of aggregate popouts.
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