Concrete is renowned and used throughout the globe for construction due to its durability and strength. However, the truth is that concrete is not immune to degradation and damage.
Whether you are a homeowner, a property developer or a strata manager, it is important that you are always on top of your concrete repairs and maintenance.
The Importance of Concrete Repairs
Even concrete, as robust a material as it is, requires regular maintenance and occasional repairs to ensure it looks and functions as it ought to.
Fortunately, with the right concrete maintenance and repair services from a team like BiM Remedial, you can preserve your concrete’s aesthetic, functionality and level of safety. But beyond maintenance, it is critical that you keep an eye on your concrete for early, easily-fixable signs of damage. The earlier you address issues, the more you can prevent further damage, extend the lifespan of your concrete infrastructure, and avoid more costly repairs in the future.
What Causes Concrete Damage
1. Environmental Exposure
Concrete structures are constantly exposed to various environmental and natural forces. From rain and wind to sun and freeze-thaw cycles, over time, excessive exposure can degrade and moisture within concrete can expand, exerting pressure on the inherent voids within the material, and lead to increasing deterioration.
2. Chemical Corrosion
Concrete is highly durable but it is not invincible. Chloride ions, from things like salts, can infiltrate through the cracks and pores of the concrete and, over a prolonged period, lead to a corrosion of the internal reinforcing steel. This corrosion can then cause cracking and spalling of the surrounding concrete.
3. Physical Stress
Concrete structures are designed to bear high levels of mechanical stress, from things such as cars and traffic. However, over time, this stress can slowly degrade the structural integrity, causing cracks and crevices which build up from small issues to larger problems.
So, how do you know if your property is in need of concrete repairs? What should you be looking out for?
8 Critical Signs Your Property Needs Concrete Repairs
1. Look for cracks
Small, thin, hairline cracks are likely not an immediate concern. But they should be carefully watched as larger and more pronounced cracks may indicate underlying structural issues. Even small cracks can allow water and moisture to get into the concrete, leading to further damages and becoming larger, problem-causing cracks.
2. Watch for spalling
Spalling is the term used to refer to concrete that has chips or flakes coming off. This is often caused by either corrosion of the reinforcement bars or due to the expansion following a freeze-thaw cycle. Concrete repairs should be organised as soon as possible once you notice spalling as the structural integrity of the concrete itself may be compromised if left too long.
3. Look for rust stains
Rust stains on the surface of your concrete may not indicate anything sincere, but it may also mean that the reinforcing steel inside is corroding. Without strong and uncompromised steel in your concrete, the structural integrity may be reduced posing hazardous and dangerous conditions for those interacting with or in the vicinity of the concrete.
4. Watch for water leaks
If your concrete has pre-existing cracks that are letting in water, it could be a sign that the durability of the concrete is degraded to the point where you need urgent concrete repairs. Unaddressed cracks left unattended can cause costly, large issues down the line.
5. Look for exposed rebar
If you notice that the reinforcing steel rods in your concrete are visible, that indicates a significant issue. Any exposed rebar poking through the surface of the concrete indicates damage and should be repaired as soon as possible as it will corrode at an accelerated pace over time.
6. Watch for discolouration
Some level of discolouration is normal, after all your concrete is exposed to a lot of traffic and environmental factors. However, if the discolouration looks significant, sudden or abnormal, it could be a sign of damaging chemical corrosion within the concrete. It is always better to have it checked out nice and early to ensure safety, structural integrity and prevent costly, large-scale repairs in the future.
7. Look for bubbling
On occasion, when water is trapped beneath the concrete surface, you may notice bubbling or building. Often, this is an early sign that the concrete is beginning to crack and is a good opportunity to have your concrete repaired or maintained to prevent issues from escalating.
8. Watch for uneven surfaces
Concrete surfaces that become increasingly uneven or sunken over time can indicate either that the underlying structure is damaged or corroding or that the soil settlement beneath the concrete is disturbed, which could compromise its integrity over time as well. If you notice your concrete becoming uneven, make sure to attend to it as soon as possible.
Need Concrete Repairs? Call BiM Remedial!
BiM Remedial is Sydney’s premier remedial building services contractor. We provide highly responsive and high quality services to a variety of properties, including residential buildings, commercial and even industrial properties.
Our contractors are experienced in all things concrete repairs and can meet you onsite to investigate, diagnose and solve any concrete-related issues you may be having. Additionally, we can work with you to put together an ongoing maintenance schedule to prevent compromising issues from building up over time and ensuring you don’t have to face a significant and costly concrete repair bill in the future.
