Upon hearing the word concrete, the mind pictures a structure that is solid and strong. That is what concrete should be. Concrete is durable and works as a building block for any given building. But with all these characteristics, it’s still prone to decay. Such structures require timely concrete repair work. Otherwise, you could end up with costly repairs.
Concrete finishings exposed to harsh climate conditions easily result in surface damage. These damages may be in the form of corrosion, swelling (concrete cancer), or cracks on surfaces. These damages not only look ugly but they’re also very harmful if left untreated.
Upon noticing them, you should start thinking about fixing them immediately. To help you with that, here are four concrete repair work and maintenance tips for you. Following these tips will successfully bring back the former glory of your concrete.
Maintenance Measures
Clean the concrete surface regularly and don’t let dirt stay on it. Furthermore, clean any grass clipping or leaves from the concrete surface.
If you fail to do so, the grass will find its way into the cracks and cause more grass or weed to grow. Surprising right? Although concrete is hard it’s still susceptible to plant growth—just look at certain sidewalks that have trees and plants growing out of them!
Moreover, to retain the excellent quality of your concrete surfaces, apply a sealer on them at regular intervals. This sealer will guard against staining and other surface damages making cleaning a breeze.
Last but not least, clean stains from your concrete when you first notice them. The easiest way to clean your concrete is with a pressure washer.
Crack repair
A common thing you will come across during concrete repair work is cracked concrete. It’s important to repair your cracks as soon as you see them since they can grow larger over time. You can fix small cracks by injecting a concrete patch kit into the cracks using a caulking gun.
But don’t forget to wipe clean the surface before and after doing this or you may end up with a suboptimal result.
You can also use the same solution for large cracks, but first, you need to prepare the cracks by removing loose debris. Then you’ll need to spread the mixture with a putty knife, ensuring it covers the whole crack.
Fix Water Leaks
Constant water leaks can damage your concrete as the water can seep into the pores of the concrete. Plus, if you’re trying to repair existing cracks, any leaks will prevent the solution from settling.
While water that evaporates relatively quickly won’t cause harm to your concrete, ensure that there aren’t any standing pools of water.
A few other tips:
- If there are small pits or indentations in your concrete, fill them up using a caulk gun. If you don’t, dirt and other agents may find their way inside and cause even more damage.
- To hide repair patches, apply colour stain to the surface.
- If you want to give a new look to your driveways, patios, and sidewalks, resurface it with a thin layer of liquid mortar.
Here at BIM Sydney, we specialize in providing solutions for concrete repair in Sydney. For concrete cancer repair, give us a call today—your concrete will thank you for it.
